How to get your cat ready for the catwalk

Her hair is perfectly conditioned, freshly washed, and blow-dried. As the judge approaches, she is ready to compete. He takes a feather from her and flicks it in front of her. She then turns on her back and bats at the feather with her impeccable paws.

This is a common scene at the Canadian Cat Association's cat shows. The association has been hosting them since 1960.

While many people are familiar with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and other events, few know that there are also competitions for cat lovers. Kim Langille, a cat-shower who has been traveling the country with her cats for more than 12 years, said that "most people" cannot comprehend it.

Kim Langille and Bobby

Langille appears in Catwalk, a new CBC Docs POV movie, along with Bobby, her Turkish Angora. Bobby has four national titles under her furry belt. Bobby lives with her and five cats, Clancy, Reggie Chance, Seamus, and Seamus. She says, "I love showing everyone how amazing they are."

SCENE FROM THE FILM: Shirley prepares Oh La La for the competition.

Judges seem to agree Langille has style. This makes her fiercely competitive against other cats in her class like Oh La La, a well-trained Red Persian cat who takes longer to dry than your average client.

Langille stated, "If you are at your best, people will see your cat is an example of what a good cat should be." How do you make your cat a champion on the catwalks? We asked her about what it takes for her to be number one.

A Willing Cat

It's not like herding cats, but there's a reason for the saying "it's like shedding cats". It's not possible to train any cat to win first place. They must be comfortable in the spotlight. Langille stated that if a cat isn't interested in being there, judges won't reward the owner for bringing it out against its will. It is a good idea to start them young -- you can show them in the kitten category -- to help them get used to all the noises and people that are part of the territory. Langille said that the cats in the documentary have been attending shows since they were four months old. "They don’t know that other cats are at home on Saturdays."

Breed Standards

Breed standards are the main component of the competition. The judges will be looking at the body composition, head shape, length of the tail, eyes size and shape, as well as the size of the ears and the eye sockets. To meet these standards, it is important to keep your purebred cat healthy and active. Even though it may seem like a judge is playing with the cat, there's a deeper purpose. Langille stated that people mistakenly believe they are playing with the cat, but they also get the cat to look at the profile of their face in a particular direction.

Good grooming

While it's great to have a well-shaped skull, grooming is key. There are specific grooming guidelines for each breed. Langille will give Bobby a wash, rinse, and another wash with a color-enhancing shampoo. Finally, she will towel dry him. Langille suggests that Persians need a lot of grooming, especially for long-haired ladies like Oh La La.

Oh La La perfectly groomed

Each owner is allowed to use a benching space for any last-minute

preparations during a competition. Langille said, "When you see [your] numbers going up, get out on the table and the brush out. You check the ears, the butt, and you check your eyes." As the competition draws near, Bobby, her snow-white dog, presents an additional challenge. She said, "I don’t allow anyone to touch him when he’s competing." She says that she only uses a comb once per week and trims nails when there isn't a show.

Time and money

Do you want to be at the top? Langille stated, "You have to be willing to invest money in your cat." A cat show exhibitor must be aware that there are additional costs to consider after purchasing a purebred and spending money on its care. Langille said that there are additional costs such as travel, hotels, and meals. She is based in New Brunswick so she has to travel a lot for most of the year's shows. Her job in sales and marketing allows her to travel more easily because she can work remotely. Don't forget about the entry fees, which are usually $60-75 per show. She said, "It's an obligation." "Or a sickness."

A loving relationship

Langille has been showing dogs for over a dozen years. But Langille is still a fan because she loves it, especially when she gets to spend time with her best friends. She said, "I love my cats. They're my little fur kids." "Clancy, a cranky old guy; Seamus, a mama's boy. Chance is smart. Reggie is a sweet rescue." Vivienne is Langille's first foray into breeding.

Bobby? Bobby is the ultimate showman. Bobby is the best cat in the entire world. This kind of bond will help you both get the most out of each show. This is perfect.