Does your cat have what it takes to be a star?

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Vanir's Cosmic Collision

Imagine entering an exhibition hall filled with napping cats on plush pillows as smiling families hold hands and wave sparkling ribbon wands. This was the scene at this year's Saintly City Cat Club show.

Meet Vanir's Cosmic Collision. He is a Norwegian Forest Cat who weighs about 15 pounds, but looks more like 30 with all the fur. He was a regional winner as a kitten, and achieved the title of "Grand Premiere" at his last two shows. At home in Des Moines, IA, his owner, Mary Tesdall, simply calls him Cosmo.

Tesdall is the entry clerk for the 37th Annual Saintly City Cat Club Championship and Household and Pet Cat Show that was held at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium this weekend as part of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. The show is one of the biggest in the state, and over 150 cats competed this year. As the entries came rolling in, Tesdall fielded tough questions from all applicants, from first-time enthusiastic exhibitors to seasoned professional breeders.

Related stories:
37th Annual Saintly City Cat Club Championship Cat Show [SLIDESHOW]

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Tesdall with Cosmo

City Pages was curious what kind of cat would take home the prize this year, so we sat down with Mary who shared with us steps to win a cat show here in Minnesota:

1. Your cat must meets the standard of a breed, as defined by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA).

These standards specifically state how an ideal cat of a breed should look and act. The more standards your cat fulfills, the better it will score. However, there is a household pet class award that isn't based on breed standards. Instead, judges critique cats on beauty, physical condition, personality, and show presence.

2. Make sure your cat is in good health, and show condition.

This means that they are a good weight for their breed, have had the proper vaccinations, their nails are clipped, and they have correct coat.

3. Learn to groom your cat to make its coat look great.

Long-haired cats  often require more grooming techniques with special shampoos, dryers, and even the use of baby powder. You have to experiment to make sure its coat is clean and not separated.

4. Your cat must be amiable to handling.

Does your cat get scared easily? Are they difficult to handle? If so, a cat show may not be the right fit for them. If you really want a show cat, you can prepare them young. Allow strangers to handle them, which will help with getting them to the right temperament. Many cats cannot handle the stress of a loud exhibition hall, and unfamiliar strangers picking them up.

5. They must have show presence.

This is something that you can't always teach your cat. They must show playfulness with a feather when the judges handle them, and poise. You can just tell when a cat is a "show cat."

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