You're flipping through channels on a rainy Tuesday night. Suddenly, there it is. A giant, disgruntled Maine Coon being hoisted into the air like a hairy sacrifice while a person in a lab coat meticulously examines its tail. It's weird. It’s captivating. Cat shows on tv have this strange, magnetic pull that somehow bridges the gap between high-stakes professional sports and a very intense trip to the local groomer.
Most people think of the Westminster Dog Show when they think of televised animal competitions. Cats are different. They don't want to be there. They don't care about your ribbons. That tension—the possibility that a $5,000 Lykoi might just decide to bolt off the judging table—is exactly why we keep tuning in.
The weird history of cat shows on tv
It wasn’t always this way. Back in the day, if you wanted to see a pedigreed cat, you had to physically go to a drafty community center or a fairground. The transition to the screen happened slowly. It started with snippets on local news, then moved to cable niches like Animal Planet during its "All Animals, All The Time" golden era in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Actually, the real turning point was the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) partnering with major networks to bring the "International Cat Show" to a broader audience. It wasn't just about the cats. It was about the people. The "cat fancy" world is a subculture with its own language. If you've ever heard a judge talk about "nose breaks" or "ear sets" with the gravity of a heart surgeon, you know what I mean.
We’ve seen a shift lately. It’s no longer just about the traditional pageant format. We’ve seen the rise of "The Kitten Bowl" on Hallmark (now Great American Family) and the "Puppy Bowl" counterparts that include a feline halftime show. These aren't just fluff pieces. They’re massive production efforts designed to drive ad revenue and, more importantly, adoptions.
Why we can't look away
Let's be real. Cats are chaotic.
A dog show is a display of discipline. A dog sits. A dog stays. A dog trots in a perfect circle because it wants to please its handler. A cat show is a display of tolerance. The judge is basically negotiating with a tiny, apex predator that could, at any moment, choose violence.
Watching a judge use a feather teaser to check a cat's eye alignment is peak television. It’s the contrast. You have these incredibly posh, elegant creatures being handled by people who are often covered in cat hair and carrying spray bottles of disinfectant. It’s authentic in a way that most "reality" TV just isn't.
The Hallmark effect and the shift to "Cuteness"
For a long time, cat shows on tv were strictly for the enthusiasts. They were technical. They were dry. Then came the Kitten Bowl.
The Kitten Bowl changed the math. Instead of focusing on breed standards of the Russian Blue or the Abyssinian, it focused on "celebrity" kittens playing in a miniature stadium. It was pure counter-programming for the Super Bowl. Beth Stern, a massive advocate for animal welfare, became the face of this movement. It worked because it tapped into the internet's pre-existing obsession with cat videos but gave it a high-production-value veneer.
But if you’re a purist, you probably miss the gritty, intense coverage of the CFA invitationals. There’s something about the silence of a professional hall, the clicking of cameras, and the hushed tones of the commentators that feels like a golf tournament if the golf balls were sentient and occasionally hissed at the grass.
Where to find the best cat shows on tv right now
If you’re looking for your fix, it’s fragmented. Gone are the days of a single, reliable time slot. You have to hunt for it.
- National Dog Show (NBC): Wait, hear me out. While it's a dog show, the Purina-sponsored event often features segments on feline breeds or "meet the cats" interludes that are surprisingly high-quality.
- The American Rescue Dog Show: Despite the name, they’ve started integrating "specialty" categories that sometimes loop in feline companions, focusing on the bond rather than just the pedigree.
- Animal Planet Classics: You can still find reruns of Cats 101. While not a "show" in the competition sense, it uses the competitive framework to explain breeds. It’s the "Pokedex" of cat TV.
- Streaming Platforms: This is where the real action is now. Netflix’s Cat People or various documentaries on Discovery+ give you that behind-the-scenes look at the competitive circuit that traditional broadcast TV often glosses over.
The reality is that "traditional" cat shows—the ones where a judge looks at a cat’s teeth for thirty seconds—don't always pull the 18-49 demographic. Producers are leaning harder into the "docu-series" style. They want the drama. They want the woman who travels in an RV with fourteen Persians. Honestly? I'm here for it.
The technical side: What judges are actually doing
When you watch these shows, it looks like they’re just petting the cat. They aren't. Every breed has a "standard"—a literal blueprint of what the perfect version of that cat looks like.
Take the Persian. The judge is looking for a "cobby" body. Short, thick, and low to the ground. They’re feeling for muscle tone under all that fur. They’re looking for a "sweet expression." If the cat looks like it’s plotting your demise, that’s actually okay, as long as its nose is positioned correctly between its eyes.
Then you have the Siamise. It’s the opposite. Everything is long. Thin legs, long tail, wedge-shaped head. When you watch this on TV, the camerawork has to be precise. You need those macro shots of the eye color—that deep, vivid blue that can determine if a cat wins "Best in Show" or goes home with a participation ribbon.
The Controversy: Pedigrees vs. Shelters
It would be irresponsible to talk about cat shows on tv without mentioning the elephant in the room. Or the tabby in the room.
There is a constant, simmering tension between the world of pedigreed showing and the world of rescue. Critics argue that televising "perfect" purebreds encourages people to go to breeders instead of local shelters. On the flip side, show organizers argue that these events celebrate the history and preservation of specific breeds, some of which are quite rare.
To combat this, many modern televised events have started including "Household Pet" categories. These are my favorite. It’s where your average, everyday "mutt" cat gets to compete. They aren’t judged on how well they fit a 100-year-old blueprint. They’re judged on their health, their personality, and how well-groomed they are. It’s the "everyman" version of the sport, and it’s remarkably wholesome.
How to actually get into the hobby
Maybe you’re watching and thinking, "My Mr. Fluffles could totally win that."
Slow down. It’s harder than it looks. Most of those "tv cats" have been handled since they were six weeks old. They’re used to the noise, the lights, and the smell of a hundred other cats. If you take a standard house cat to a show without preparation, you are going to have a very bad time. And probably several scratches.
If you’re serious about it:
- Find a local club. Look for CFA or TICA (The International Cat Association) affiliated groups.
- Attend an untelevised show first. See the reality before you dream of the cameras. It’s a lot of sitting around in folding chairs.
- Focus on grooming. Even for "Household Pet" categories, the cat needs to be pristine. Clipping claws is a non-negotiable.
- Watch the judges. Listen to how they talk. It’s a masterclass in feline anatomy.
The Future: Will we see a "World Series of Cats"?
Probably not in the way we see the World Series of Poker. The logistics are a nightmare. Cats don't travel well. They get stressed. High-definition cameras and bright studio lights are basically a cat's version of a horror movie.
However, we are seeing a massive surge in "digital cat shows." People are submitting videos to be judged remotely. It's not exactly "tv" in the traditional sense, but with the way we consume media on our smart TVs via YouTube and Twitch, it’s the next logical step.
The charm of cat shows on tv lies in their sincerity. In a world of scripted drama and CGI, there is something deeply comforting about watching a very serious person try to convince a very bored cat to look at a wiggle-stick. It’s a niche that shouldn't work, yet it’s been a staple of "weird" television for decades.
Actionable insights for the casual viewer
If you want to maximize your enjoyment the next time you stumble upon a cat show, do these three things:
- Learn the "Standard": Pick one breed, like the Maine Coon, and look up the CFA standard while you watch. It turns the show into a game of "spot the flaw."
- Follow the Handlers: The pros have specific ways of "stretching" a cat to show off its length. It’s a skill that takes years to master.
- Check the "Household Pet" Results: Often, these results aren't televised in the main block but are posted on the event’s website. It’s a great way to see what "normal" cats are winning.
Don't expect a fast-paced thriller. Expect a slow, methodical, and occasionally hilarious look at the bond between humans and their feline overlords. Whether it's a high-stakes championship or a kitten playing with a yarn ball in a mock-stadium, the appeal remains the same: cats are weird, and we love watching them be weird on a professional level.