For years, I was content being a spectator at CFA cat shows, wandering through the rows of purebred feline perfection. Maine Coons, my favorite breed, always caught my eye with their majestic presence. This time I made a different choice. I stepped out of my comfort zone. I dived into the world of showing a cat.
With no experience and zero expectations, I packed my suitcase, grabbed my Maine Coon, Omega, and stepped into the unknown.
Preparing for Our First CFA Cat Show
The prep work for a CFA cat show can feel overwhelming. Bathing and grooming your cat are especially challenging. Let’s be honest—no cat loves a bath, and some will outright battle you. My Finlay, for instance, would scalp me before surrendering to soap and water! But Omega was my contender, and he handled it like a champ.
The Show Bath: Trial and Error
Omega endured not one, but four baths—yes, four. I followed advice from seasoned show cat owners, though I’m still debating whether some steps were necessary.
- Dawn Dish Soap: The first two rounds were with Dawn to strip oils from his coat. I found this odd since Maine Coons naturally have slightly oily coats as part of their breed standard. But, hey, I was a newbie following the rules.
- Show Cat Shampoo: The third bath involved a shampoo marketed specifically for show cats. What’s in it? Who knows, but it sounded fancy.
- Ultra White Shampoo: The final step was this “magic potion” designed to brighten white coats. Omega is already snowy white, so this might have been overkill.
After his bath, I treated him to a warm towel straight from the dryer. He wasn’t thrilled, but he survived. The blow-dry session, however, was less fun. Coaxing him to stay put while I wielded the hairdryer was a challenge, but we got through it.
Pro Tip: If your cat naps in their litter box (like Omega), bring a small bed for their show cage. I learned this the hard way, shaking litter off him every time I picked him up.
What to Pack for a CFA Cat Show
If you’re entering a cat show for the first time, here’s a quick checklist of essentials to keep your feline (and yourself) comfortable:
- Cage Setup: I rented a double cage and bought 4 yards of sale fabric at Joann’s to drape over the cage and cover the table.
- Food and Water: Bring bowls, food, and a water dish. Clip-on bowls are a lifesaver!
- Litter Box: Omega used his litter box as a bed, so a cozy mat or bed would’ve been a better option.
- Grooming Wipes: These saved me when I left a lipstick mark on Omega during a congratulatory kiss. Rookie mistake!
The Drama of Showing a Solid White Maine Coon
As soon as I set up, strangers approached with cryptic comments like, “You’re brave for showing a solid white cat.” Wait, what? Apparently, white cats aren’t “favorites” at CFA cat shows. Some breeders warned me about the political nature of the competition. But I wasn’t fazed. I’m all for a challenge, and Omega looked stunning, regardless of opinions.
Inside the CFA Cat Show Rings
The judging process was a little overwhelming. Over two days, Omega competed in 8 rings with 8 different judges. Each ring followed the same routine:
- Color Class Judging: Omega was judged against other solid-colored Maine Coons. In every ring, he took second place, losing to a gorgeous solid black competitor.
- Best Maine Coon: The winners of each color class competed for “Best Maine Coon” and “Second Best Maine Coon.” Since Omega didn’t win his class, he wasn’t eligible for these titles.
One judge did compliment Omega, calling him “a nice example of a Maine Coon.” I beamed with pride, knowing he truly is a remarkable cat.
Final Thoughts on Our First CFA Cat Show
Despite the politics and a few over-the-top cat show enthusiasts, the experience was enlightening. Omega was calm, well-behaved, and seemed to take the chaos in stride. While I’m not sure if we’ll continue this journey, I’m glad we tried it.
If you want to enter your Maine Coon or any other cat in a CFA show, check their show schedule. Look at their resources too. It’s a fantastic way to showcase your feline friend and meet others in the community.
Overall, I can’t say that I enjoyed the process. I felt like Omega would rather be at home on the couch instead of being handled by all of the strangers and spending his weekend in a tent.
CFA Cat Show Ring [Video of Omega Being Judged]
If you’re interested in entering your Maine Coon, or any cat, into a CFA Cat show you can find their show schedule here. They also have manuals and guidelines as a reference for exhibitions.
Hopefully, this entry about my first experience at a cat show will ease some of your nerves, if you’re thinking about going or help you see what it’s like being on this side of things. It’s definitely a different experience.
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