Feline Competitions start with smart prep — learn how to enter, register, and get ring-ready.
Entering feline competitions is one of the most exciting ways to celebrate your cat’s beauty, personality, and charm. Whether you own a champion-bred Persian or a beloved rescue mixed-breed, feline competitions welcome all cats and give owners a fun, structured weekend surrounded by passionate cat lovers.
This complete guide covers everything beginners need to know about entering feline competitions — from choosing the right organization to understanding fees, registration, and stress-free show preparation.
First Feline Competition: Choose the Right Association and Show
Different cat associations host feline competitions with their own rules, titles, and atmosphere. The major registries include:
- Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) shows tend to be formal, traditional, and pedigree-focused. The judging is meticulous, the competition fierce, and the atmosphere a bit more serious. Perfect if you have a registered purebred and dream of Grand Champion rosettes.
- The International Cat Association (TICA) is famous for its laid-back, family-friendly vibe. Congress-style judging (multiple judges see every cat), loud applause, and the fact that Household Pets can earn the same regional and international titles as purebreds make TICA ideal for mixed-breed owners and nervous newcomers.
- GCCF (UK) and FIFe (Europe and beyond) follow their own unique standards and cultures—GCCF is steeped in British tradition, while FIFe shows often feel like elegant continental cat parties.
Pro tip for beginners: Start with a small, local one-day or two-ring TICA show. Fewer entries = less chaos, shorter days, and more people with time to hold your hand.
Is Your Cat Actually Eligible?
There are some rules nobody puts on the flyer (But Will Disqualify You) and nothing stings like driving four hours only to be turned away at vetting. Avoid that heartbreak:
- For purebred cats
Your cat must have an individual registration number with the association putting on the show (or at minimum, registration pending with paperwork). Kittens compete from 4 to 8 months; adults from 8 months up. No exceptions. Altered cats (spayed/neutered) compete in Premiership rather than Championship.
- For Household Pets
TICA and CFA both welcome non-pedigreed cats and mixes. Adults must be spayed or neutered. Cats that look suspiciously like an unregistered purebred may be moved to “Household Pet” anyway — judges hate “breed disguises.”
- Health requirements nobody skips
Current rabies vaccination (even for indoor cats in most regions), FVRCP (distemper combo), negative fecal exam or recent deworming, and no signs of fleas, ear mites, or ringworm.
In addition, some shows require a health certificate dated within 7–30 days if you’re crossing state or country lines.
Feline Competitions Entry Fees
Prices have climbed steadily and may vary by region, club, and whether you enter early or late. Here’s the so here’s an approximate cost breakdown:
| Item | CFA (US) | TICA (US) | GCCF (UK) | FIFe (Europe) |
First entry (1 cat, 1–2 days) | $70–$110 | $65–$100 | £45–£70 | €60–€100 |
Additional entries (same cat) | $50–$80 | $45–$75 | £35–£55 | €40–€80 |
Extra half-cage / grooming space | $25–$50 | $20–$40 | £20–£40 | €25–€50 |
Catalog | $8–$15 | $8–$12 | £6–£10 | €10–€15 |
Late/At-door entry surcharge | +$25–$50 | +$20–$50 | +£15–£30 | +€20–€50 |
Clerk/Steward (optional work) | Often free | Often free | Often free | Often free |
Biggest money-saving hack: Enter before the “early bird” deadline (usually 4–6 weeks out) and volunteer to clerk or steward. Many newcomers pay nothing for their first show this way.
The Exact Registration Process
- Register the cat with the association months ahead (CFA blue slip → individual registration; TICA litter registration → individual number).
- Download the show flyer (usually a PDF on the club website).
- Fill out the official entry form — every blank matters. Wrong color description or missing registration number = rejected entry.
- Email or use the online system (iCat, Topeka, ShowManager.info, etc.
- Attach rabies cert if requested and pay instantly (PayPal/Venmo is now standard).
Two weeks later you’ll get a confirmation with your catalog number and benching location. Do this wrong and you’ll be filling out paper forms at the door while everyone else is grooming.
12-Week Countdown to Feline Competition Day
- 8–12 Weeks out – Build Good Habits
Book a full wellness vet visit alongwith weekly baths for longhairs or semi-longhairs (yes, weekly — coat gets better every time). Practice placing your cat on a folding table and letting a stranger (you pretending) touch ears, tail, and belly without hissing. Reward heavily.
- 4–6 Weeks out – Gear Up
Buy or borrow a sturdy show cage with plain cage curtains — solid colors only; judges hate busy patterns. Start clipping nails weekly so your cat doesn’t associate clipping with panic.
- 1–2 Weeks out – The Final Sprint
Final bath 2–7 days before (Persians 5–7 days; shorthairs 2–3 days). And, don’t forget to trim nails 48 hours before. Pack everything the night before and do a trial load of the car. Freeze water bottles to keep the carrier cool.
- Night Before & Morning Of
Light final grooming only — no dramatic changes. Feed a small, familiar meal 3–4 hours before leaving. Bring a towel to cover the carrier in case of carsickness. Arrive calm; your cat reads your energy.
Packing List You’ll Ever Need for Feline Competitions
Veteran exhibitors roll in with a suitcase on wheels that looks like a small pet store. Yours doesn’t have to be that extreme, but never forget:
- Secure hard or soft carrier with a blanket inside
- Show cage + clips + solid-color curtains
- Small disposable litter box + lightweight litter
- Water bottles from home (venue water can upset stomachs)
- Grooming kit: metal comb, slicker brush, chamois cloth, hemostats for fur mats, ear cleaner, baby wipes, hemostat for nail bleeding, Q-tips
- Small fan with fresh batteries (summer shows are hot)
- Your cat’s favorite blanket that smells like home
- Copy of entry confirmation, rabies cert, pedigree/registration
- Snacks, coffee, and a folding chair for yourself
What Really Happens on Show Day
- 7:00–8:30 a.m. – Check-in & vetting (they check eyes, ears, skin, and bite)
- 8:30–9:30 – Set up your benching area (make it pretty but uncluttered)
- 9:00–3:00 – Judging rings (your cat may go up 6–10 times)
- Listen for your catalog number — miss three calls and you’re disqualified
- Stewards handle your cat; you stay seated and cheer quietly
- 3:00–6:00 – Finals (top 10 –15 cats per division get huge rosettes)
Pack up, swap numbers with new friends, and drive home exhausted and happy
Unwritten Etiquette Rules for Feline Competitions
- Never open another person’s cage without permission—even to pet a cute kitten
- Keep voices low in benching rows (cats are stressed)
- Clean up litter spills immediately
- Don’t block aisles with grooming tables
- Applaud every finalist like you mean it — karma is real in the cat fancy
Final Thoughts!
Truth about your first feline competition is that you probably won’t go home with the biggest rosette. Also, you might not get a single ribbon. And that’s perfectly okay.
What you will get is an entire day focused solely on your cat, dozens of new friends who speak fluent “cat,” photos of your kitty looking regal, and the irresistible urge to sign up for the next show before you even reach the parking lot.
Feline competitions aren’t just about winning — they’re about community, learning, and giving your cat the red-carpet moment they deserve. Take the leap. Your cat has been practicing their “judge stare” in the mirror for years. It’s time to let the world see it.
FAQs: Feline Competitions
Can my cat still compete if they’ve never traveled or been around other cats?
Yes. Many newcomers start with cats that have never left home. Start with short practice trips, calm carrier sessions, and quick visits to pet-friendly spaces. This builds confidence and reduces stress when you finally step into a busy show hall.
Do judges care more about grooming or behavior during feline competitions?
Both matter, but behavior often shapes the first impression. Clean coats help, but a relaxed cat that allows handling scores stronger overall. Many exhibitors spend weeks building positive touch routines to help their cat enjoy the ring.
Why do some exhibitors enter multiple shows before they feel ready?
Because the learning curve is real. Early shows help owners understand timing, ring flow, and judge expectations. Many say their first two shows were “practice runs” before they aimed for titles.
Are mixed-breed cats treated differently in feline competitions?
Not at all. Mixed-breed cats often earn high placements when they show confidence, balance, and personality. Judges focus on overall condition, grooming effort, and presentation rather than pedigree status.
What’s the biggest surprise new exhibitors experience on show day?
Most say it’s how fast everything moves. Rings call numbers back-to-back, and owners juggle grooming, timing, and watching judges. Preparing a simple routine before the event makes the pace feel far easier.
