How to Show Your Rats

If you haven't shown your rats before then it may seem like a daunting/complicated exercise. It isn't. It is, however, exciting and fun (not to mention a great ratty day out!). Here is what to do:

Preparing your rats

• Make sure your rats are healthy and free from scabs or scratches before you enter them in the show.
• Check for signs of parasites (lice or mites).
• On the night before a show (or on the morning of the show if you have that kind of time!) make sure they are clean – paying particular attention to tails and ears. Rats usually keep their coats scrupulously clean by themselves but some of the lighter varieties may need a little help with those deep down stains from bedding etc. Hand wash only!! If you do need to give them a bath, use a kitten shampoo (you can even get a rat shampoo at some pet shops).
• Be nice to the judge and trim your rat's nails! If you are not sure about how to do this then tell the show organiser when you enter your rats for the show and we will arrange for someone to either do it for you or demonstrate it to you.

Entering your rats

• The show organiser and his/her contact details will be announced in Rat-A-2-E or other advertisements. If in doubt ask any of the committee members who will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.
• Preferably, entries should be submitted to our on-line entry form.
• Alternatively, entries can be emailed to or by phone to the telephone number indicated in the advertisement. The show organiser will then be happy to complete the form on your behalf. No text entries will be accepted.
• Entries should reach us no later than 9pm on the Wednesday before the show.
• When entering your rats please give the following details:

For the Pet Classes:

• Exhibitor's name
• Exhibitor class (Adult or Junior)
• The name of the rat
• The sex of the rat (Buck or Doe)
• The breeder of the rat (if known)
• Description of the rat (colour, markings, etc.)

For the Variety Classes:

• Exhibitor's name
• Exhibitor's class (Adult or Junior)
• Variety Class (i.e. Agouti, Mink, Pearl, Blue etc.*)
• Age group (Adult or Kitten**)
• The sex of the rat (Buck or Doe)
• The breeder of the rat (if known)
• Description of the rat (e.g. colour, markings, etc. if it is in a mixed class such as New Varieties, Rex, Silvered, etc.)

For the Small Furries Class:

• Exhibitor's name
• The type of small furry (gerbil, hamster, etc.)
• The sex of the small furry
• Description of the small furry (colour, markings, etc.)

* If you are unsure whether or not you have a rat that conforms to a variety standard then enter it in the pet class – you can always ask for advice when you arrive at the show and maybe even move it into the variety classes. The show organiser will be happy to get someone to give you some advice.

** To be eligible for the kitten class an animal must be under the age of 13 weeks and over the age of 7 weeks. Kittens under the age of 6 weeks are not allowed at the show or its environs (for their own welfare).

The day of the show:

When you arrive at the show, see the show organiser and pay your entry fees. You will be given your pen numbers (written on sticky labels) to be fixed onto the show tank. It will be all written out for you so you will know which rat goes in which tank. The show organiser is there to help you and ensure you have all the information you need.

Entry fees:

Entry fees are £1.00 per rat (any class) for adult exhibitors and £0.50 per rat (any class) for juniors.

Hire Tanks:

Hire tanks are £2.00 per day. These are available for novice or first time show-ers. We only have a limited number of tanks available for hire, so we would ask that members who regularly show provide their own suitable tanks to allow novice entries priority.

Only one adult rat per tank is permitted. A maximum of two kittens may be housed in one tank provided they are distinct from each other (pet class) or different varieties (variety class). It is permitted for a kitten be accompanied by a companion kitten not entered in the show. Exhibitors are required to bring their own shavings or litter for the tank. Remember to bring a slice of apple or carrot or cucumber to go in with your rat to provide it with some food/moisture throughout the day. Please stick the labels to the tank on the area provided for this purpose. At the end of the day please return the tank empty of shavings or litter. It is not usual for the show venue to have facilities for the safe disposal of used litter so it is important that you remember to bring a bag or container in which you can transport your used litter home with you.

Regular exhibitors are encouraged to purchase their own show tanks. Please see the approved tanks list

The show:

Once you have your rats in their show tanks, either place them on the appropriate bench (pets or varieties) or take them to one of the stewards. It is almost impossible to get this wrong - if your rats have been issued with pen numbers then the steward will be expecting them.

The steward is someone who organises the show tanks so that the show may be judged more efficiently and is usually the only person allowed within the judging arena other than the judge - exceptions to this might be trainee judges who are receiving tuition from the judge and catering staff supplying refreshments to the judging arena.

Your rats must remain on the show bench for the duration of the judging and may only be taken from their show tanks by the judge. The steward will make an announcement when the judging is over and owners may then retrieve their rats.

The pet class judging is usually completed in advance of the variety classes.

Finally

If you have still have any questions then email me at: and I will be more than happy to have some answers for you.

<:3 )~~~ Graham.