GCCF Show Whites — Complete Kit for Cat Shows

Everything you need for your first GCCF cat show — matching brilliant white kit, tried and trusted by exhibitors across the UK, sold through our sister shop Cattylicious.

The GCCF pen-equipping rules are strict, and for good reason: uniform white kit keeps every cat judged on its own merit, not on the colour of its blanket. This page walks you through exactly what you need, why you need it, and the kit we’ve been making and selling to fellow exhibitors since 2020.

The 4 essentials GCCF requires — and why they matter

If you’ve never exhibited before, the white-kit rule catches out a lot of first-timers. Here’s what the GCCF show standard calls for and what each item actually does on the day:

• White blanket — covers the pen floor so the cat is judged against a clean, consistent non identifiable background. Ours are double-layer polar fleece, heat-cut and double-stitched so they don’t pill, fray, or shed lint.
• White vet bed (optional but recommended) — goes under the blanket for warmth and comfort. A cold hard pen floor is the quickest way to make a nervous cat flatten. Vet bed helps absorb moisture, so if there’s an accident, the top layer stays dry.
• White water bowl — hook-on design so it can’t be knocked over by an excitable paw. Must be plain white, no decoration, no branding.
• White food bowl — small plain-white bowl for post-judging kibble or treats. Same rule: nothing on it.
• White litter tray — small for single pens, large for doubles. Again, plain white only.

Everything must be plain brilliant white. No patterns, no coloured edging, no logos. If not you are breaching a show rule and could be disqualified — so getting this right before you leave the house matters.

The two full kits — single pen or double pen

Which one you need comes down to the size of your cat — not how many cats you’re showing. GCCF exhibitors show one cat per pen. If you have a larger-framed adult (a stud, a well-grown Maine Coon, a chunky British, or any cat who needs more room to stretch), a double pen is the more comfortable option. Smaller adults and kittens fit fine in a single.

Already have some kit? Build it yourself

Replacing an item that’s gone grey, or topping up an existing kit? Each piece is available individually — click Add to Cart and you’re taken straight to the Cattylicious checkout.

Smart additions worth having in your show bag

Not GCCF-mandated, but exhibitors who’ve been round the block a few times tend to pack these too:

From a working GCCF judge and breeder

Every item in our Show Whites range is designed with one question in mind: would I put this in my own pen?

I’m Ross Davies — GCCF Full Judge since 2014, Siamese breeder for over 22 years, and the person who walks around a show hall every other weekend inspecting pens before judging starts. I know what a compliant pen looks like, I know what gets pulled up by stewards and fellow judges, and I know what stands the test of twenty shows a year. The kit on this page is what I use, what my breeder colleagues use, and what we’ve been shipping to exhibitors since 2020.

The blanket fabric choice matters. The first generation of show blankets on the market shed lint within three washes — disastrous on a seal-point coat. Our polar fleece is a heavier weight, heat-cut at the edges rather than overlocked, and washes at 40°C without pilling. It’s boring engineering, but it’s the difference between a blanket that looks fresh at your twentieth show and one that looks tired by your fifth.

Single or double — which kit do you need?

Your situation	Kit you need
Average-sized adult or kitten in a single pen	Single-Pen Full Kit £21.95–£31.95
Large-framed adult (stud, Maine Coon, chunky British, etc.) needing more room	Double-Pen Full Kit £29.95–£43.95
You’ve booked a double pen simply for the extra space	Double-Pen Full Kit £29.95–£43.95
Just replacing a worn or stained item	Individual pieces (see build-your-own above)
Already have vet bed from a previous kit	Kit without vet bed — lower price option on each kit page

Frequently asked questions

Is this kit GCCF-compliant?

Yes — every item is plain brilliant white with no decoration, branding, or coloured edging, meeting the GCCF’s standard pen-equipping requirements for all-breed and specialist shows.

Do I need a vet bed, or is the blanket enough?

The blanket alone is compliant. Vet bed goes underneath for warmth, comfort, and moisture-wicking. A nervous or elderly cat benefits hugely from the extra insulation on a cold show-hall floor. If you’re showing regularly it’s worth the extra; if this is a one-off, the blanket will do.

Why white? Can I use a white-with-tiny-pattern blanket?

GCCF rules specify plain white only. Even a subtle pattern or edging in another colour risks the steward asking you to change it before judging. The reason is fairness — so no cat is visually flattered or disadvantaged by what’s in the pen behind it.

Will the fleece pill or shed onto my cat’s coat?

No. Our blankets are double-layer polar fleece with heat-cut edges. We specifically chose a heavier-weight fabric because the cheap brushed fleeces on the market shed within a handful of washes and look tired quickly. Ours are still in service in my own kit from 2020.

Do I need a single or a double pen kit?

It depends on the size of your cat. Average-sized adults and kittens fit comfortably in a single pen (24″ × 24″). Larger-framed cats — studs, Maine Coons, big Britishes — often benefit from a double pen (48″ × 24″) so they’ve got the room to stand up and stretch out properly on the judging bench. Check your show schedule before you book — some shows specify pen sizes for certain classes.

How long does delivery take?

Cattylicious dispatches same-day for orders before 2pm weekdays, next day otherwise. UK Royal Mail 48 is the standard option. See the product page for exact options and show-deadline guidance.

Can I wash the blanket and vet bed?

Yes — machine washable at 40°C, no fabric softener (it kills the vet bed’s wicking). Tumble dry low if you must, but line-drying gives a better finish and preserves the fabric longer.

Do you ship outside the UK?

Cattylicious currently ships within the UK only. Check the checkout page for the latest shipping destinations — this occasionally changes.

Ready for your first GCCF show?

If this is your first time exhibiting and your cat is average-sized, the full single-pen kit at £21.95–£31.95 is the easiest way to walk in compliant. Add the vet-bed option for comfort, add the Do Not Touch sign for peace of mind, and you’re sorted.

New to showing altogether? Start with our complete guide to GCCF cat shows — how they work, how to enter, and what to expect on the day.