Questions & Answers
What is Fitting & Showing?
The main and most important part of a cat show, is when the 4-H member presents themselves and their cat to the judge. The 4-H member will show the judge the cats body type, head shape, fur, tail, mouth, nose, eyes, ears, claws, and belly. After the 4-H member has finished showing the cat to the judge, the judge will ask the member questions, usually three, from the 4-H Cat project book. When showing the cat to the judge, that cat is judged by the 4-Her’s ability to groom and handle the cat. See Fitting & Showing video, Fitting & Showing judging form, and How to Fit & Show for more information.
What is Type?
Type, is when the cat is judged alone, against other cats of the same class. The 4-Her will place the cat in the showing area, in one of the four classes: household pet shorthair (HHPSH), household pet longhair (HHPLH), purebred, and kitten. Household pets are judged on personality and grooming; where as purebred cats are judged by breed standards.
What is Cage Decoration?
During a cat show, cat must stay in a 22’’ x 22’’ x 44’’ cat cage, provided by the county. Each member must have food and water, a bed, and litter pan in the cat cage at all times during the show. Many members choose to decorate the cat cages, to the theme of the show. All decorations that the member puts in the cat cage must be safe for the cat and in no way put the cat in any danger. At each show members who choose to decorate the cat cages will be judged to see who came up with the most creative cat cage. Members must also fill out a card telling the cage judges what it is they made themselves in the cat cage and what materials were used. See Cage Decoration Guidelines and Cage judging form for more information.
What is Knowledge?
Knowledge, is the second written test that a 4-H member will take. The member will be asked to identify cat breeds to cat pictures, parts and bones of a cat, and several true or false questions, followed by a short answer question.
What is Judging?
Judging, is when the 4-H member shows their knowledge of cats in a written test. The member will be asked to identify with of four choices would be best to handle the situation given. Example question would be which of the four different flea controls would be best to use?
What is Costume?
At the county fair, members may choose to dress but not only themselves but their cats as well. 4-H members will be judged on the quality of the costume and creativity.
What is an Educational Poster?
At the county fair, member may choose to make an educational poster that will be judged and displayed in the cat tent. The poster must be easy to see and understand. See Education Poster Guidelines for more information.
What is Cat Bowl?
Cat Bowl is a fun competition held at the county fair. This is when the clubs is made into teams, by age group and compete against other clubs in seers of trivia questions.
What is a Public Presentation?
A public presentation is required by all 4-H members, to attend the county fair. That presentation is done during a club meeting on any topic of your choice. A public presentation must be done every year. Members may also choose to do their presentations at the county fair in front of the judges. See Public Presentation Judging form for more information.