Do You present ? Polish! OR DO YOU

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS!

- Susan Cook Henry

We have all had the experience of spectators oohing and aahing when a beautiful cat is on the judging stand. And we as exhibitors have done the same thing, though perhaps more internally. On the other hand (more often from the exhibitors’ point of view), blank expressions, tongue clicks, or subtle head-shaking might signasl just the opposite when a poorly presented cat is on the table. What is it about that cat or kitten that elicits such responses? Judges have the added opportunity to handle these cats. Oh, the stories their hands and eyes can tell!

Showing cats is a commitment on many fronts, not the least of which is caring for our kittens and cats and giving them their best possible lives. That commitment is not something that begins the week before a show – it is months in the making. A highquality diet, exercise, and conditioning keep the body in shape, but what about appearance? That too requires attention – often on a daily basis – and is dependent on the breed and coat type.

A few months ago, a request was sent to the CFA Judges’ List asking for input on their experiences from show to show. There were several private responses, and it should come as a surprise to many of us that this list is as long as it is!

• Claws not trimmed (CFA Show Rules, Article X, BENCHING/ CHECK-IN, 10.06: All claws of each entry must be clipped prior to benching. Failure to do so will subject the entry to disqualification.)

• Staining on face and other areas of body

• Crusty, dirty eyes (especially on Persians and Exotics)

• Dirty ears and nostrils

• Dirty toes/claws (especially on Rexcoated and Sphynx breeds)

• Anal area not clean on breeds where this is obvious (as above)

• Coats that look and feel greasy/oily

• Grooming on top, but not the undersides of longhair and semilonghair breeds – knots!

• Feces on hind ends of longhair and semi-longhair breeds

• Grooming aids: