Show grooming and conditioning

There's been quite a few questions on keeping show cats in show condition. There's no easy answer.

Firstly determine if your cat is a Show Cat. Easier for pedigrees since we have breed standards to go by. Slightly harder for Domestics but personality and color/markings will tell.

As for grooming and conditioning, some basic rules:

1. Love your cat
2. Feed your cat(s) the very best that you can afford (which includes supplements)
3. Groom your cat on a regular basis - this does 2 things: a) gets them used to it and b) keeps the coat in good condition
4. Know what "type" of coat your cat has. Is it cottony (eg. Bi-color Persians), somewhat shaggy (eg. Maine Coons), coarse (eg. Amercan Shorthairs) etc.
5. Use the right products. Shampoos and conditioners play a very important part.

For shampoos and conditioners, there is really no easy answer. I personally have spent hundreds of dollars looking for the "right" ones to use. I know which are the wrong ones but I have yet to find the ultimate one...still!

When I groom other people's cats, one of the first things I do is notice:

1. Coat type and color
2. Amount of greasiness
3. What needs be done for that one bathing/grooming session which will make the cat shine or at least look a heck of a lot better then when it came in

From there, I will determine which is the correct brand (I have more than several) of shampoo and conditioner I should use.

It take time and a whole lot of love, time and effort to keep a cat in show condition. Of course, it's a whole lot easier if they're neutered!

Also, you need to work with your cat. Play, exercise, etc. all build up muscle tone. And that is not an overnite thing - its an ongoing thing. Kittens are growing and developing - anywhere from 1 yr old to 4 yrs old (depending on breed/boning), so you can't expect a 4 month old kitten to have the same muscle as a 2 yr old cat.

Most times you can tell if you "press down" on the back/hips of a cat - does he/she feel mushy or is there muscle resistance there? More resistance means more muscle.

Basically its quality foods and exercise that produce the best results

I would only use a comb on a longhair. Brushes don't do much unless they are the "pin" brushes with longer teeth like a comb.

Clipping nails weekly should be done for any cat to get them used to it. If they don't need clipping, skip those nails, but you might find a few that are longer.

My Turkish Vans are longhairs without an undercoat. I only use a plastic flea comb on them, because anything else seems to irritate their skin. An boy, do they let me know when I use the wrong comb!!! They don't have the protection that cats with undercoats have, so their skin is more sensitive to the type of comb you use.