Taking the plunge

**Howlinbob** · 27th October 2010, 02:29 PM

Right, I've done it, I've posted the entry form. I'm going to show Monty on 4th December.
That's if the hall isn't already full and if there are any double pens left.

As a long-term moggy-owner I was dead against showing a cat, no point in it, etc etc, but what is it about the MC and the MC community? I have slowly been talked into it! Partly because there are threads on this forum which talk about what a great social occasion it is, what fun it is, etc, but what really tipped the balance was my breeder who, on a visit to my house a few weeks ago, said that Monty was really blossoming and was easily the best kitten she had ever produced. If that's the case, then I thought I should really give it a go, if only as a favour to her, to 'advertise' her prefix. Besides, I'm curious and it's a new experience that I (and Monty) might enjoy. He's a very regal, stately creature with a sweet, sweet nature, and he looks like a show cat, (although I don't really know what I mean by that).

I had lots of qualms about the bathing/grooming/primping routine, and although I think I've got my head round that now, I'm still terrified of the day itself and of what might go wrong. Most of all I don't want Monty to be distressed. Still, every show cat has to go through their first show and I'm just hopeful that it will be OK. If it's not, I'll just take him home and not do it again. My breeder friend is being very supportive and she'll be showing Monty's dad at the same time, so I'll have someone to pester on the day!

Does anyone have any tips on things I could do to minimise stress on the day? I've ordered a big pet carrier which I'm planning to leave out for the lads as a 'den' to play in. They loved playing in the old one, which they've outgrown. Then I thought a few trial runs in the car. The show is only 20 minutes' drive away. Any other ideas, I'd love to hear, as this is one nervous mum!

**candes** · 27th October 2010, 03:15 PM

No tips, but I wish you the best fo luck! Monty will do great!

**jckkerrison** · 27th October 2010, 03:28 PM

Which show are you going too ?
If it is an FB one or Tica you can take his favourite blanket & toys which will make him feel at home,I would say don't worry about any of it,get him bathed & groomed up to look his best & I am sure if his breeder is there she will help with final touches on the day because it will benefit her as well by promoting her breed & just go along with an open mind & have fun with Monty....

**Howlinbob** · 27th October 2010, 03:56 PM

Thanks Jackie. It's GCCF, North of Britain.Longhair and Semi-Longhair cat club. I know you can't have anything personal in the pens at GCCF but I don't think he'll mind that, I just hope he'll cope with being penned up all day, and meeting lots of strangers. Fingers crossed!

**jckkerrison** · 27th October 2010, 04:03 PM

Good luck will look forward to hearing all about it,I was dreading that you were going to say FB at Rugby because we normally do that on the Saturday but have decided against it this year,it is a long drive & getting out of bed at 4AM has lost its appeal....
Merl got three firsts at his first GCCF show & one second,so close to being a red card day so fingers crossed Monty can do it x

**FreyjaRoMaine** · 27th October 2010, 08:51 PM

How exciting - can't wait to see how he gets on, and wish you lots of luck and lots more fun!

My breeder recommends Zylkene - they're capsules that you can either get the cat to swallow (they're damn big though) or you can open them and drop the powder in food/drink. It's based on lactic acid (kind of like mothers milk) and has a slight soporiphic effect that calms the cats down. She suggested it to me to help relax Freyja after Wicca's arrival, and had already mentioned that she uses it prior to cat shows. The vet tells me it generally works best when you start giving it to them about 2 weeks before the 'stressful event'. I don't know if it's what helped Freyja adjust to Wicca, but we stopped using after 5 days as she'd calmed right down.

**Wendy1969** · 27th October 2010, 09:17 PM

Get your show bag ready well in advance - to prevent stress to yourself! This is my list of 'stuff':
Vac card
White litter tray / blankets / dish / hook on water bowl
Cat food / fork
Usual cat litter / poo scoop / nappy sacks
Trigene or similar / kitchen roll - to wipe out the inside of the pen before putting cat in
Wipes - for hands or 'accidents'
Grooming kit
Bottle of water - for cat
Headache tablets - for you!
Plasters - you never know!

I usually leave a couple of bits of kitchen roll (plain white) on top of the litter tray as Alfie has a habit of laying in the tray and it stops all the cat litter getting stuck all over his belly. Saves you another job of frantically grooming it all out before judging!

Oh yeah - and dont forget the cat! I bet its been done...

**jckkerrison** · 27th October 2010, 10:00 PM

I always have antibacterial hand gel as well,has been used more than once on others who have been scratched or bitten,plus something else that I always have but as yet not had to use,others have again borrowed it & thats dry shampoo,the one that I have is Miracle coat foaming waterless cat shampoo,found that on one of our visits to Hubint,got a super scent to it.
I don't know about forgetting the cat but I will always remember going to one GCCF show & there were loads of steps to get up,the gentleman in front of us had a trolley with loads of cats on it so we all offered to help him up individually with them,at the top he lined them up,got out the certificates & started sorting which one went with who,then panic took over,he had picked up a wrong cat,the one he had got wasn't a show one at all & the one he had left behind was going for a championship & out of them all was the worse one he could have got muddled,poor man,don't know how he explained that one to the wife but I know he was dreading going home,they didn't live close enough to do a swap,all he kept saying was that it was early in the morning & if she had got up to help load.....

**FreyjaRoMaine** · 27th October 2010, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by jckkerrison

I always have antibacterial hand gel as well,has been used more than once on others who have been scratched or bitten,plus something else that I always have but as yet not had to use,others have again borrowed it & thats dry shampoo,the one that I have is Miracle coat foaming waterless cat shampoo,found that on one of our visits to Hubint,got a super scent to it.
I don't know about forgetting the cat but I will always remember going to one GCCF show & there were loads of steps to get up,the gentleman in front of us had a trolley with loads of cats on it so we all offered to help him up individually with them,at the top he lined them up,got out the certificates & started sorting which one went with who,then panic took over,he had picked up a wrong cat,the one he had got wasn't a show one at all & the one he had left behind was going for a championship & out of them all was the worse one he could have got muddled,poor man,don't know how he explained that one to the wife but I know he was dreading going home,they didn't live close enough to do a swap,all he kept saying was that it was early in the morning & if she had got up to help load.....

What a nightmare! Great story though, made me chuckle... At least HB won't have that problem with Laggs and Monty as both are handsome chaps!