Preparation for first show

[Howlinbob]

I'd like to give showing at least one go with Monty. There's a GCCF show coming up on 4th December in Sheffield so I've got a bit of time to get ready. I am a bit nervous about it and really want it to go well!

Firstly, the bath. I've had a couple of goes so far and it's not gone too badly. Monty seems prone to quite a greasy-looking coat, especially on his chest and belly. My breeder says she uses a product called 'Goop' on the greasy bits, then washes all over with fairy liquid. I know there are other products out there. Would a cat shampoo do the same job?

Monty hates the sound of the water running and doesn't much like to feel it poured over him, and he hates being immersed in even an inch of water. So I hold him in the (dry) bath, whilst OH has prepared the soap dilution in the sink, and applies it generously with a flannel. Monty is OK with the wet flannel in dry bath. Then OH pours the clean water over to rinse, and he hates that but at least it's quick. Is this an OK procedure? We don't have a shower, but I think he'd hate that too.

I can't blow him dry as he runs a mile from the hairdryer. So is it OK to let him dry naturally, after a good pat down with a towel? At what point should I then brush him - when he's thoroughly dry, or still a bit damp?

Claw clipping: I will have to do this or we'll be turfed out of the show. That's OK but Monty loves to go outside and climb trees. Will he still be able to climb with clipped claws? Or will he tumble down in a confused heap? How long does it take for them to grow back? Will it be noticeable to the judge that Monty goes outside a lot (ie, wear on his paw pads), and would this count against him?

So the other worry is the travelling (even though it's only a 20-minute drive), and being penned up all day around strangers. I've left his carrying box out with the door off so that he can play in it. In a couple of weeks I'll try him on a short car journey. But as for being penned all day, does anyone have any tips on how to familiarise him with this? Or will I just have to bite the bullet and hope he's OK on the day? How much leeway would a steward or a judge give to the behaviour of a first-time show cat?

I would be really grateful for any tips you can pass on to me! (Jackie has already listened to my ramblings, so sorry for repeating!) Thanks everyone, Louisa

[jckkerrison]

Get your goop,work from the base of the coat to the tips,you need to do it all over but if you think babe is going to get fed up work on the worst bits first just in case,I used washing up liquid once after a judge said that is what she does but I find it better to use a grease remover shampoo then go for a good shampoo,sometimes I have had to do that twice,lastly if you texturise it gives a lovely shine & feel to the coat & in your final rinse add just a small amount of vinegar,also helps to give an extra shine,I always used white vinegar on my silver boy ordinary with these ones,worse than preparing yourself for a night out.I contacted Polly who put a thread on here about the Anju Beatue products & she sent me some trial samples & it is a brilliant product so might be worth contacting her & seeing if she would send you something.The rinsing between each time is the main thing & your final rinsing will take a little while so could be having fun with Monty,I have always been able to blow dry mine until Welly came along & he thought different so he does have to dry natuarlly,don't try to groom him until he is completely dry,in fact I don't normally touch mine until the next day & I find the slicker brush is great to really lift their coats.If he climbs trees you most probaly won't have to take much off of his nails,just take the pointy end bits,they soon grow back,when I was going to a show every month I still clipped a fair bit off each time,I don't think the judge will worry about his wear & tear of the feet,proves he has a life,travel I would try & do as you suggested & get him out a few times so it isn't all a shock on the day,the judges will not know its his first show so no leeway with them I am afraid,also at GCCF everything has to be white & except for water you can't even leave his favourite toy in with him so its going to be fingers crossed that he is happy,lets face it if you go back into the hall & he is upset you can withdraw him but hopefully that won't happen.Is there going to be someone there that you know on the day who could help you with any final grooming ? I wish I could come & help ,the old fingers are just itching to get stuck in,hopefully someone else will throw in some advice for you & I might be able to pick up some more tips as well.Good Luck.......

[jckkerrison]

If you put Anju Beaute into search it will give you the contact details....

[FreyjaRoMaine]

Hi Howlinbob, I'm sure you'll have sussed this already but I can add absolutely zero value to your show-related thread, but will keep my fingers crossed that you and Monty enjoy the day. I'm in much the same spot as you with this showing lark, although am very lucky to know a great breeder (Tigga Towers lady) that's going to show me the ways of the Force...

[Antonia]

Hi Louisa, your plan to show Monty sounds exciting!
Here's a tip I heard from the breeders of Tatja and Minnie. They wash their black smokes with shampoo for grey-haired people. Many brands have one, for example Guhl. (I think it's called Silver Shampoo or something like that.)

[Wendy1969]

Hi there, have a look on Smylee Pets site, they have Anju (now called Jerob) products.
Smylee pets order form
I have also found a plain, old fashioned rubber bath mat to be the greatest help when bathing. It stops the cat scrabbling all over the wet bath and getting in a panic. Try using a fan heater for drying. It is slow but not noisy. Obviously dont let the cat get over-heated. You only need to take the sharp tips off the claws and you can leave this til the night before. They will be back to normal in a couple of days, so shouldn't affect his adventures too much. Hope this helps
p.s. try to enjoy the day!