Show Grooming: Long hair/Whites

I know I was reccomended to help with Show grooming - but really it's hard because the products I use here in New Zealand are so different to anywhere else.

I'll give it a crack anyway. For show bathing Persian cats - I like to have them in/out of the water as quick as possible so mine is very short but I do win a few Best groomed awards so I'm doing OK.

I firstly use a Hand cleaner called Gojo Orange Natural (not the one with pumice!) to strip the grease out of the coat then I dampen the coat. On top of the Gojo I add a dishwash liquid - morning fresh or dish drops.

Then I rinse twice and either do one or two shampoos of "Dazzle Dog" for my cats with white, cats without white just get it once. Then I rinse 3 times.

Then I blow dry with a human hair dryer for at least an hour - depending on the size of the cat.

I personally would never use vinegar.

My subject: Fluffy

2 days after a show bath







BTW - the hair would have grown back by then

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

I personally would never use vinegar.

Click to expand...

May I ask why not? I personally was only planning to do a vinegar rinse if there was a good reason to, but honestly I still don't quite understand what it's for or what difference it'll make.

BTW, I love your kitties.

Originally Posted by whiteforest

May I ask why not? I personally was only planning to do a vinegar rinse if there was a good reason to, but honestly I still don't quite understand what it's for or what difference it'll make.

BTW, I love your kitties.

Click to expand...

It just seems unneccessary to me. A lady with one of my Persians was doing a vinegar rinse and it didn't seem to be improving his coat. That's just my opinion though. His name is Flynn!

Thank you! I love Finn.

I just wanted to thank everyone again for the good advice! I'm happy to report that I did not turn Finn blue last night.

Glad to hear it! Did the coat turn out nice and fluffy?

I've used the vinegar rinse on my Oci's with no real change either way. It does help get all the soap out of the coat, but other then that, I don't see any difference.

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

I've used the vinegar rinse on my Oci's with no real change either way. It does help get all the soap out of the coat, but other then that, I don't see any difference.

Click to expand...

I was told by a Maine Coon breeder to use a vinegar rinse for show grooming just for that reason-- it helps remove all the soap. If there is soap left it can change the feel of the coat. Also since I have a black Maine Coon any shampoo/soap/rinse that is not totally rinsed out ends up with noticeable white specks in the coat.

He felt awesome after his bath. He has a very silky and plush coat, and it's still sparkling white. His bad patches are still VERY noticeable, but it is growing back. There's a layer of fuzz now instead of smooth pink skin.

Okay, now the show is this weekend. I feel embarrassed bringing a cat to the show that has a patchy coat, but I really want to "learn the ropes" so to speak. Does anyone have any advice? Would you still take him or call it off and wait for another show?

I would definitely take him to the show. Even if he doesn't win anything, you'll get the experience.

I'd worry about a judge thinking your guy has ringworm and then disqualifying him. It all depends on how visible the patches are and how easily you can disguise them. You can always take your guy to the show but not place him in any rings. This way he gets used to the environment but does not risk getting a DQ.

I've found Mega-Tek coat rebuilder to be great for your situation. And it smells super yummy too!

Awesome, thanks! I don't think they'd think he has ringworm. It's been 6 weeks of regrowth, but is still a noticeable divot in the coat.

I've been giving him coat supplements, but the mega-tek...I'm assuming that's a topical?

Yes, it is topical

Let us know how you go. You will be fine if the skin is clear.