SO YOU WANT TO SHOW YOUR CAT!

THINGS TO KNOW AND DO:

                             1.  Trim the nails.   A feline nail clippers can be

                                   purchased at any pet store or store that sells

                                   pet items.  It’s usually a two person job,

                                   depending on the nature of your feline. 

                                   Press the paw pads until the nail comes forward.

                                   Trim the tip of the nail about an eighth to a

                                    quarter of an inch.  If you cut more than you

                                    should, you may see a little blood.  Don’t worry.

                                    It will stop soon.  The biggest danger is that

                                    a little drop of blood will make a white or light

                                   colored look dirty.  If this happens, take a

                                    cotton ball and apply a little hydrogen peroxide.

                             2.  Clean the ears.   If your cat has ear mites, it won’t

                                   be allowed to participate in the show.  There are

                                  numerous treatments for ear mites.  Your

                                   veterinarian will have these on hand. 

                                   If ear mites aren’t a problem, you may still have

                                   to clean your cats ears.  Often dirt may collect in

                                   the ear canals.  If this is present when the cat is

                                  judged it will affect their performance in the

                                   show ring.  A Q-tip should be used carefully.

                                   Once again, a small amount of hydrogen

                                   peroxide may be placed on the Q-tip to clean

                                   the ear.  Use a “twirling” motion to clean the

                                  ear canals and be sure the Q-tip is not pushed

                                   deep inside the ear.

                             3.  Bathing is important.   Once again, it’s usually

                                   a two man job.  If you have been bathing your

                                  cat since it was very young, the job may be easy.

                                   If, however, it’s a first time bath, it may be a

                                   challenge for you and you may feel you are

                                   performing in all three rings of a three ring

                                   circus before you finish.  LONG HAIR FELINES

                                   need to be bathed!  It is only with a good bath,

                                   a thorough rinse, and an adequate blow-dry

                                   that they become “hot stuff” in the show ring.

                                   I’ve used a 7-step bathing process for my

                                   Maine Coon.  The process and the blow dry

                                   take an hour and a half.  He has earned his

                                   Grand Champion title in the show ring.  The

                                   bathing technique was a big part of his success.

                             4.  Shampoos - I like to use either a shampoo with

                                  oatmeal, or another shampoo that has really

                                  helped my felines look good is the Pearl Micodex

                                  which can be purchased at vet clinics. 

                             5.  Short hairs - If your short hair feline is getting    

                                  good food, it’s possible to use a dry shampoo or

                                  no shampoo.  My Splitz, who is on the web site,

                                hated baths.  She was a good groomer

                                 and I was finally able to show her without

                                  giving her any bath at all.  

                             6.  With both long hair and short hair felines,

                                   regular brushing is important.  It’s half the

                                   battle when you go to bathe your feline.

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