Showing Cat For The First Time.

I have a retired adult who I purchased who is used to being shown, and liked it while she was whole at least. I have spoken to her breeder and have an idea of what to expect, she is registered for a show on September 14th-15th. It will be my first time showing a cat and her first time being shown since she was fixed. She is a 4 time grand champion and will be completing in the alter class, under grand champion status since the status remains. So I was told a queen sized bed sheet works to cover the cage is there a site to buy better overs at or no? A pattern maybe? Her breeder didn't know of any. The show says litter will be supplied, is it ok for me to bring my own litter anyways? Is it possible that she will dislike the showing after being fixed? She loved it in the past which is why I am trying it, but am worried she might hate it now, she loves people even if they're new to her, and she's fine with new environments, other cats are an unknown since she used to be ok before fixed, but has been an only since being altered. She doesn't get dry food so is it ok for her to not have food available to her during the show? Do you have advice for if people ask to interact with her, since it is my first time showing the breeder told me to do it at my own discretion, but I don't want her to be overwhelmed or for her to get sick. What litterbox and water dish would you recommend for in the crate, she only has flowing water dishes and a litter robot so I'm unsure of what's best here. Any other tips or tricks? Also she is a beast about trimming her nails, the pamphlet says if they come without trimmed nails that it will be done there for a fee of $5-10, is it frowned upon to let them do it, or should I bring her to a petco or somewhere and have the trim her nails before the show, I can in theory trim them myself but it's not high on my list as she is a beast, won't bite but squirms and pulls away, doesn't like being held for it, and makes the saddest meows throughout the entire process. Thanks for any advice sorry for the long rambling list of questions.

Which association are you showing her in? Where is the show located? Benching cage size varies in different regions.

It should be fine to bring your own litter. Bring a small litter pan that will fit in the benching cage.

For food and water, bring small dishes that are not easy to knock over. I usually wait to give my cats breakfast until they are in the show hall. If she eats wet food, you can just bring the can of wet food to the show hall and feed her there.

If you want to allow people to pet her at the show hall, you can bring hand sanitizer so that people can clean their hands before they touch her.

It's best to clip claws before you go to the show. Can you clip them at home, just a few at a time?

lutece said:

Which association are you showing her in? Where is the show located? Benching cage size varies in different regions.

It should be fine to bring your own litter. Bring a small litter pan that will fit in the benching cage.

For food and water, bring small dishes that are not easy to knock over. I usually wait to give my cats breakfast until they are in the show hall. If she eats wet food, you can just bring the can of wet food to the show hall and feed her there.

If you want to allow people to pet her at the show hall, you can bring hand sanitizer so that people can clean their hands before they touch her.

It's best to clip claws before you go to the show. Can you clip them at home, just a few at a time?

Click to expand...

The show is in Menasha WI, through ACFA, how small is small, I've only used a litter robot so am not really certain on litter boxes, I did pay for the larger Cage the one that's got an extra half added on or something like that, I can clip her claws at home, but not as short as they want probably and it would be easier for me to just make it PetSmart's problem since she struggles so much, I don't know if I can comfortably cut them as short as they're supposed to be. Is it wise to allow people to touch her?

Ok, here is the show info for the show you are attending, so you can see the cage size and think about the size of litter box and the fabric to cover the cage.
http://www.acfacat.com/Flyers/2019 flyer BACK PDF.pdf

For wire cages, you can use 3 pieces of fabric. Here is a fairly clear explanation of how to make your own cage curtains and how to put curtains on a wire cage, although the dimensions they suggest are a big larger than I would use. You do not have to put lace trim on the fabric.
Cat Cage Curtains and Enclosures

Another excellent option is to buy a show shelter. This one is very well constructed (I have one of these in the cream color):
It doesn't include the mats and hammocks pictured, you buy those separately (on the same page) if you want them.
If you buy your own show shelter, you can practice setting it up at home with litter box and dishes to see how it will work in the show hall.

It's up to you whether you want to allow people to touch your cat. I usually allow people to touch if they are polite and ask nicely, but then I hold the cat so that they just stroke the fur on the side, instead of reaching out directly to my cat's face which can sometimes upset a cat.

lutece said:

Ok, here is the show info for the show you are attending, so you can see the cage size and think about the size of litter box and the fabric to cover the cage.
http://www.acfacat.com/Flyers/2019 flyer BACK PDF.pdf

For wire cages, you can use 3 pieces of fabric. Here is a fairly clear explanation of how to make your own cage curtains and how to put curtains on a wire cage, although the dimensions they suggest are a big larger than I would use. You do not have to put lace trim on the fabric.
Cat Cage Curtains and Enclosures

Another excellent option is to buy a show shelter. This one is very well constructed (I have one of these in the cream color):
It doesn't include the mats and hammocks pictured, you buy those separately (on the same page) if you want them.
If you buy your own show shelter, you can practice setting it up at home with litter box and dishes to see how it will work in the show hall.

It's up to you whether you want to allow people to touch your cat. I usually allow people to touch if they are polite and ask nicely, but then I hold the cat so that they just stroke the fur on the side, instead of reaching out directly to my cat's face which can sometimes upset a cat.

Click to expand...

Thank you, I had read the flyer, just am unsure about everything, I got the double to have more space which should be good. I'll keep that in mind for letting people touch her, she's very friendly but I'm a bit nervous.

Just enjoy yourself and don't worry to much. Everyone has been a newbie at one point or another. I purchased my first set of curtains, made my others until I switched to a show shelter (which I LOVE!). Here is the site where I bought my first set: Castle Paws Designs
As for letting people pet her, it is totally up to you. I usually wait until close to the end of the show since I don't want the grooming destroyed. It sometimes takes me 3-4 hours to groom depending on if they are in winter coat. Feed her what you want at the show. Just remember if it needs to be kept cool you will need a small cooler or lunch box with a freezer pack. Litter is your choice, use thiers or bring your own. Clipping claws has to be done - either by you or a groomer. When I first started out I took my girls to the groomer to have their nose shaved (in silver and golden Persians we shave the end of the nose so you can see the black liner).