Competing in a rat show can be a fun learning experience for you and your rats. You get to see other people’s rats from all over, all the different colors, coats, and personalities, and speak with the breeders to learn more about rats. You will also, if you are a breeder, get others’ opinions on how your rats conformation is, which may assist you in deciding if you want to breed that particular rat or not. Many breeders travel several hours or even longer to attend a show and this can be a good chance to pick up a rat from a breeder you normally wouldn't be able to get a rat from.
However, as some breeders have found, showing can be dangerous if proper quarantines and health checks are not maintained. Most shows require a 3-week quarantine before and after a show but not all attendees will listen to this. There is almost always a health checkpoint just outside the show where several volunteers will make sure the rats coming in appear healthy, but sometimes these health inspectors can miss something or the rat may not be exhibiting signs of illness just yet. If this happens, potentially deadly diseases can spread easily as people pass from one breeder's table to another.
The decision whether or not to show is completely up the the individual rat owner or breeder. It is important to be aware of the risks and what you can do to reduce the spread of disease and conform to the club's rules for quarantine.
Finding a Show
Since rat shows require a bit of money to get started, most of the clubs who host rat shows are larger rat fanciers clubs such as the RMCA, AFRMA, and RatsPacNW, though some smaller clubs can hold shows as well. To find a show in your area, it is best to find which rat club is closest to you then study their rules and guidelines for each variety shown. Most shows require you to register at least 3 weeks in advance, so make sure you get your registration in on time if you would like to attend.
Show Supplies
It is a good idea to keep a “show kit” to hold all your showing supplies. I use a toolbox with a sticker on it with my rattery name so I know it’s mine. Here’s what I have inside:
- business cards and holder, to display and to give out to potential buyers
- spray-on bath, a spritz type bottle that is a bath made specially for rodents. I spray it on a cloth then rub the rat down with it the day before the show. It’s not as good as a complete bath, but it is good for rats that aren’t that dirty
- unscented baby wipes (good for a quick cleaning, and also for cleaning tails)
- rat treats, of course!
- pedigrees, information sheets, and non-breeding contracts for any rat I am bringing to the show to be sold. I also bring information on any litters I am planning, or any that have been born already but are not old enough to be sold at the show
- a recipe card box with cards inside, to keep track of the information of anybody who buys a rat from me, or breeders I meet and wish to contact later
- baby nail trimmer
- gauze squares and bandage material, just in case a rat has an accident
- crazy glue, to glue minor cuts closed
Most clubs have a rule on quarantine before the show, for about 3 weeks. This means that 3 weeks before the show, you cannot get any new rats, or take your rats to a place where rats might have been. This is to ensure that no diseases get taken to the show to infect other people’s rats. If you absolutely have to get a new rat in this time, have a friend receive the rat for you, and don’t visit it until after the show. It is a good idea to quarantine after the show as well, to make sure that no diseases were passed on to your rats before you get any new ones. This means keeping any rats you brought to the show or bought at the show in a separate airspace for 3 weeks. If any of them have picked up something at the show, they will not pass it on to your other rats. If any of your rats are sick with a communicable disease, do not bring rats to the show. It’s not worth the risk.
A week or more before the show, make sure you have all the supplies you need to bring, especially if the show is far away from your house. You will need cages for the rats you are bringing, show boxes (most clubs use Critter Keepers), food, and water bottles. If you are selling rats at the show, have their background information (pedigrees, information sheets, breeding contracts) printed out and ready to give to their new owners. If you are a breeder, have a sign for your rattery and provide some information on yourself and the rats you breed. Many people who come to rat shows are people looking for a rat, so make sure you are ready to answer a lot of questions!
A few days before the show, give the rats you are showing a bath. This will give them time for their coat’s natural oils to build up a little before the show, giving them a healthy shine. If you bath your rats right before the show they will end up looking clean, but also dull. The day before or even the day of the show, make sure all your rats’ nails are trimmed. Right before their class goes up to judging, give your rat a once-over to see that it is presentable. Check feet and belly for feces, make sure the nails are trimmed, even run a cloth over the rats’ fur to pick up any lint or dandruff. Make sure the lid of your show box is snapped on so the rat won’t escape.
At the Show
The first thing you do when you go to a show is usually the health check. This will be performed by either a veterinarian, animal technician, or rat expert, and will be in a different room of the show building. This is to ensure that no sick rats are brought to the show. This includes serious diseases as well as minor problems like mites or lice. Most rats will pass the health check, since most people are smart enough not to bring ill rats to a show, but if your rat does not make sure to ask why, and where you can keep your rat until the show is over. Sick rats will not be allowed in the show building, but there is usually a place set aside for the rats that do not pass the health check.
After the health check, you will check yourself and your rats in. This is where you pay your admission, and receive notification of what classes your rats will be in, and in what order. They will also assign you a table.
Rat shows are usually fairly hectic, especially if they are large. Always keep an eye on your rats, and if you have to step out, enlist somebody to watch them while you are gone. Many people bring children to rat shows, and they often open cages to take the rats out. Or worse, somebody might think your rat is just too cute and try to steal it for themselves! You also want to watch for signs of stress or heat exhaustion. If you notice one of your rats is looking scared and stressed, cover the cage so it is dark, or move the rat to a quieter area until it has calmed down.
It is a good idea to provide a bottle of hand sanitizer and insist that people use it before handling your rats. People who are looking for a pet rat at a show may have handled several rats before coming to your table and you don't want to risk picking up any germs from somebody else's rats.
When it comes time for your rat’s class, put him in his show box and place him wherever he is supposed to go. You are welcome to watch your rat being judged, but don’t heckle the judges or make any indication that that rat is yours. To ensure fair judgement, the rats have to be anonymous.
Fun as it is, it is a competition. Some people can be better sports than others. If your rat won, don’t gloat. If your rat lost, don’t make a scene. If you are unhappy with your rat’s score, speak to the judge personally (when the judge is not busy) and politely ask why they gave your rat the score they did. Even a loss is a learning experience for you, so take it in stride.
After the Show
Make sure your rats are all accounted for and in the right cages. Pack up all your belongings, and make sure to help clean up! When you get home, quarantine any rats you brought with you in a separate airspace for 3 weeks. Make sure you change your clothes and shower before handling any rats left at home.