Trophy cats

An increasing number of cat pageants are held around the country. [Photo provided to China Daily]

At the moment, the club can offer WCF pedigree authentication, exhibition and imports services in China, as more Chinese desire a "pure bloodline" from among the foreign-bred cats.

Credits gained at domestic competitions will be put in the WCF ranking system and all rules are exactly the same as any other country where WCF operates, she says.

The competition is mainly divided by age and variety. The closer a cat gets to standards marked for its type, the higher the chances of scoring. A cat's pedigree and look matter, but their owners' efforts in developing their looks are also important, accounting for 30 to 40 percent of the score.

"If owners set their sights on victory, the cat pedigree must be pure and superior. Scientific feeding is also required."

For a British shorthair, for example, a high premium is placed on its muscular structure.

Taking care of the fur is also important, since it is an indicator of health and plays a vital role in the cat's overall appearance.

"If a cat is well fed, its fur will glow," says Ge, adding that certain nutrients containing collagen, Omega 3 and Omega 9 help.

Participants need to pay 600 yuan to get into a WCF competition at present.

Luan Shu contributed to the story.