Everything you need to know about Burmese cat beauty contests
The Birman is a cat with a beautiful, elegant appearance and its eyes can captivate anyone: this is a requirement that all Birmans have, regardless of whether you have a cat for companionship, for breeding or for exhibition.
It is common for those who have purchased or want to purchase a specimen of show quality, or simply those who want to have a pleasant ‘trip’ together with their beloved Birmans, to want to face the show experience. However, there are many things and many rules to know, both behavioral and regarding the health and general condition of the cat, so as not to find yourself unprepared for that beautiful experience such as a cat show, which many of you want to attend for the first time.
It is important to always remember that the show is not only a beauty show, but also a meeting place for cat lovers and breeders, so we advise you to have as much fun as possible and draw lots of positive ideas, without leaving the stage too caught up in the anxiety of competition.
The first essential step if you decide to enter your cat for the show is to make sure that everything is in order with it. It must be registered in the stud book of the breed association and therefore have a pedigree and a number, which you will request on any form (also available online) for registration: each show has its own registration form. The cat must be at least three months old on the first day of the show and must have a health book with regular trivalent vaccinations and boosters, if it is older than 5 months, it must have been vaccinated against rabies more than one month and less than one year. You will need to make sure that your Birman excludes all the rules that could jeopardize his acceptance into the show, which we list below.
The following are not accepted at exhibitions:
- kittens under 3 months old.
- Females after giving birth.
- Deaf cats (for white cats, a certificate of deafness is required).
- Sick cats (which may be removed from the show together with the owner and any other cats of the same owner)
Did you know?
It is good to know that leaving the show while it is in progress means the possibility of losing the qualifications the cat has acquired.
The following can be excluded from the "competition":
- Aggressive cats (if two stewards cannot remove the cat from the cage, the cat will be excluded from the competition) and if the cat has been aggressive for three shows, the association may not accept it in future shows.
- Males with testicular anomalies (over 10 months).
- Cats that have been tranquilized (decided by the veterinarian).
- Cats that have undergone cosmetic treatments such as dyeing gloves.
- Cats that have had their nails surgically removed.
- Cats with parasites or otherwise dirty.
- Cats with dwarfism.
- Blind cats.
- Cats with strabismus.
- Cats with white spots not permitted by the standard.
However, the certificate can be "rejected":
- Unsterilized cats with knots in their tails.
- Cats with teeth protruding excessively from their mouths (2 mm).
- Cats with broken or chipped teeth.
- Cats with excessive exposure of the tongue or teeth.
- Cats with strabismus.
Obese cats. - Cats with bone deformities
It is important to note that exhibitors are not allowed to leave the show before the scheduled closing time, unless there are serious personal or health problems with their cat. It is advisable to inform the secretariat and the veterinarian that they have permission to make a preventive exit. It is good to know that leaving the show while it is in progress means the possibility of losing the qualifications that the cat has acquired. We also remind you that cats are not allowed to be left in cages overnight, so if this is your first experience, especially ‘away from home’, we advise you to arrange accommodation that accepts cats.
Any other warning or prohibition from the secretariat and the organization of an individual exhibition applies as a rule, and violation may result in disqualification from the competition.
The next step after checking the rules for admission is to think about everything you need for the show. You should bring a health certificate, a water bowl, food (dry rather than wet, so that the cat does not get dirty), a litter box and litter, disinfectant to treat the cage before decorating it and some toys for the cat (not essential, but it is essential that you try to make the cat feel comfortable), a small bed in which the cat, especially if this is the first experience, can find shelter and peace, one or two locks to close the cage in case you have to leave it unattended.
The decoration of the cage is essential (which you will definitely have to think about in advance), which, in addition to making the cage more comfortable for the cats, also makes it more aesthetically pleasing. In general, the decoration consists of the bottom of the cage and curtains that can be tied to the sides of the cage. Cages can be single or double, and their sizes are 70x70x70 and 140x70x70.
Did you know?
Cage decoration is essential (which you will definitely need to think about in advance), which, in addition to providing comfort for the cats, also makes the cage more aesthetically pleasing.
It is advisable to indicate in the notes at the bottom of the registration form whether you need a single or double cage.
It is advisable to use acrylic material for decorations, as it wrinkles less, otherwise the decoration is just decoration and everyone can use any objects and any colors they like: we assure you that creating it is a very fun ‘scenography’ for your cage!
Obviously, it is essential to trim the cat’s nails a few days before the show (it is mandatory to present it with clipped nails): the judges pay a lot of attention to the aesthetic condition of the cat (after all, you will be participating in a beauty contest!) and it is essential to present the cat with clean and soft fur, without knots, silky and as well degreased as possible, make sure that the gloves are very clean, as the greater contrast of tones is also evident in lighter varieties such as lilac.
A tip that will come in handy is to not let visitors touch your cat, as touching one cat after another can spread bacteria and disease.
You will be ready on show day!
When you arrive at the show, check with the catalogue given to you at the entrance that your cat is on the list and that it is placed in the correct class, along with the other Birmans of the same class. If you are unsure about the colour of your cat, you will need to request confirmation of the colour by contacting the secretariat immediately upon arrival or by requesting it in advance online in the registration form itself, which will be completed before the judging.
The judges do not recognise your cat and do not call it by name, but it does have an identification number that you will receive in the envelope: it is best to learn it by heart or keep it visible at all times and be attentive during the judging, as its number will be called when it is time to take it to the judge assigned to you. It is good practice (also out of respect for the judges and other exhibitors) to take it to the judge as soon as possible: a cat’s delay in judging can slow down the entire course of the competition and may mean the disqualification of your cat. Carefully follow the ruling that the judge will describe to you, without intervening directly unless you are consulted. If you notice any irregularity, be sure to contact and report it immediately to the secretariat, never to the judge!