Is it worth going to a cat show?

I’m sure that most of you have already thought about the question stated in the title. Now I’d like to give you a little help and guide you into the wonderful, but not always safe world of cat shows.

Just a bit of history

• 1871: The first cat show was organised in London.
• 1887: The first cat association (National Cat Club) was founded in England. It still exist.
• 1895: Best in Show title was won by a Maine Coon (Cosey) for the first time.
• 1949: Fédération Internationale Féline international organisation was unofficially founded.

Cat shows are organised by registered cat associations. Their judging system may differ from each other.

Cat shows as a visitor. Why is it worth going to a cat show?

• If you are interested in pure-bred cats, you can see them live.
• If you would like a pure-bred cat with a pedigree certificate it is a good occasion to get to know the given breed closer and to meet with breeders. It may help you to choose the right breeder.
• It’s a fantastic program for cat friends.
• It is worth participating in cat shows organised by different cat associations, because of the different judgements. Furthermore, the exhibited cat breeds may be different, which depends on the members of a given association.

Cat shows as a breeder or a cat owner. What kind of dangers cat shows can have?

• Although it is prohibited, visitors try to stroke the cats in their cages. It is not allowed, because viruses and bacteria can get on the fur of cats. If you’d like to pet a cat, you have to ask about its owner. Some of them allow this after hand disinfection.
• Despite of the most careful disinfection, infections and viruses can be brought home. These can stick on from one cat to another.
• Many cats aren’t suitable for a cat show because of his/her nature. A cat show means a serious search for stress for such cats.

Cat shows from a perspective of a future owner

Allow me to describe my own experiences of the world of cat shows. My regular readers already know that I have already visited cat shows before the birth of Tirus. I met the Heart Stealer Maine Coon Cat Cattery at the first exhibition I had visited. We could have a short talk during my second cat show.

After it I had decided that I’d like a Maine Coon kitten from this cattery. I visited the third cat show after the birth of Tirus. My aim was to get information about Tirus, who was at the state of ”under observation” at that time.

It’s good to know that judging takes place continuously at exhibitions. That is the reason why breeders and exhibiting cat owners are not always available for a conversation. Based on my experience, they tend to talk better with interested parties at times around the opening of the exhibition. However, it also depends on the judging schedules.

In my opinion, it is worth going to exhibitions organized by several associations. I participated twice in the exhibition organized by the MMME (Catmania Club). Even here, I was very impressed that I could see some of my favourite cat breeds live.

Then, after the birth of Tirus, I went to the exhibition of Felis Hungarica (Hungarian Cat Association), i.e. the Hungarian member association of FIFe. Here, in addition to the differences of the judging system, it immediately became apparent that there was an overlap between the cat breeds seen at the MMME cat shows. There were also cat breeds that I had not seen live before. It was a special pleasure for me to see live Norwegian Forest Cats.

Another difference was the breed presentations.  There were a presentation about Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats. Here, they covered the similarities and differences between the two types. It was also a great experience to hear the voices of the talkative Oriental cats.

Cat shows through an cat owner’s perspective

Many people have asked me why I don’t take Tirus to a cat show, since he would be fine there in terms of his beauty. Of course, I’m also tempted by the beautiful cups and medals, but there is something more important than these things. And this is the health of Tirus. So far, I have not taken Tiris to cat shows for the following reasons:

• Considering his nature, participating in a cat show would be a source of great stress for him. His Majesty prefers to rule over his owner’s at home, rather than being locked in a cage.
• I’m afraid he’ll get some kind of infection.

I hope that I managed to provide you with some useful and interesting information about the magical world of cat shows.