AHFS COMPETITIVE CAT GROOMING A simple and consistent system: every class is worth 100 points, every criterion has a clear maximum, and the judges’ totals are averaged. The highest average wins after safety review and tie-breaking. Class
Division
Total Points
Judges
Winning Score
First Tie-break
Full Groom
Shorthair
100
Highest average
Judges discretion
Full Groom
Longhair
100
Highest average
Judges discretion
Full Groom
Persian
115
Highest average
Judges discretion
Comb Cut
All eligible cats
100
Highest average
Judges discretion
Lion Cut
All eligible cats
100
Highest average
Judges discretion
Creative Grooming
Shorthair
100
Highest average
Judges discretion
Creative Grooming
Longhair
100
Highest average
Judges discretion
FAIRNESS RULES Judge the work, not the cat
Breed, color, age, size and temperament do not earn points by themselves.
Do not reward neglect
Mats, grease, excess shedding or difficult behavior do not create extra difficulty points.
More shaving is not automatically better
Any shaving performed earns points for being appropriate, safe, smooth and finished with clean, balanced lines.
Optional color stays optional
Approved color or chalk is judged only when used. Using it earns no automatic bonus, and omitting it causes no deduction.
Safety comes first
A serious injury, rough handling, unsafe product or unacceptable distress goes to Head Judge review and may result in disqualification.
Use whole numbers
No half-points. Judges score from zero through the stated maximum.
Tie process
Judges discretion
Association of Holistic Feline Specialists Competitive Cat Grooming
Start Here | 1
FULL GROOM — JUDGE SCORECARD Association of Holistic Feline Specialists Competitive Cat Grooming
Entry Number
Class / Division
Judge
Date
Judging Area
What to Look For
Max
Coat Cleansing & Degreasing
Coat is thoroughly degreased and cleansed, completely rinsed and residue-free.
20
Face, Feet & Body Drying
Face, feet and body are fully dry to the skin, including the chest, belly, armpits, legs and tail base, with no damp undercoat.
15
Brushing, Combing & Deshedding
Coat is thoroughly brushed and combed, free of mats and tangles, and deshedded as appropriate without needless breakage or removal.
15
Ears & Eyes
Ears and eye area are appropriately and thoroughly cleaned without irritation.
10
Nail Trim
All nails, including dewclaws, are trimmed evenly and safely without quicking or sharp unfinished edges.
10
Maintenance Shaving
Toe tufts, sanitary, half-belly, full-belly or other maintenance shaving is completed safely; work is smooth and lines are clean, crisp, even and balanced.
15
Cat Safety, Handling & Professionalism
Calm, efficient handling; safe tools/products; safe work practices; response to stress.
15
Persian Face Trim (Scored 115)
Points only applicable to Persian Class. Face is trimmed to Persian standard, balanced presentation, eyes and expression open, cheeks rounded
15
TOTAL SCORE
SAFETY / DQ REVIEW
100
No / Yes
Score
Judge Comments
/ 100
Reason:
Each entry must demonstrate one approved maintenance-shaving element: toe tufts, sanitary trim, half-belly trim, full-belly trim or another approved maintenance area. Work is judged on safety and finish, not on the amount of hair removed.
Judge Signature
Association of Holistic Feline Specialists Competitive Cat Grooming
Full Groom | 2
COMB CUT — JUDGE SCORECARD Association of Holistic Feline Specialists Competitive Cat Grooming
Entry Number
Class / Division
Judge
Date
Judging Area
What to Look For
Max
Smooth, Consistent Length
Shortened coat is smooth and maintained at a consistent intended length, without tracks, gouges or missed areas.
20
Even Body Finish
Finish is even throughout the body and remains smooth when viewed and combed in multiple directions.
20
Clean Transitions
Transitions between shortened and natural coat are clean, controlled and well blended.
15
Balanced Appearance
Overall silhouette is intentional, proportionate, balanced and symmetrical where appropriate.
15
Face, Feet & Tail Finish
Face, feet and tail are finished neatly and appropriately for the chosen comb-cut style.
15
Cat Safety & Handling
Calm, efficient handling; safe tools/products; safe work practices; response to stress. Loose skin and high-risk anatomy are protected.
15
TOTAL SCORE
SAFETY / DQ REVIEW
Score
100
No / Yes
Judge Comments
/ 100
Reason:
The finished coat must remain smooth after comb-through. Tracks, uneven length, rough transitions, unfinished details and skin irritation lower the score.
Judge Signature
Association of Holistic Feline Specialists Competitive Cat Grooming
Comb Cut | 3
LION CUT — JUDGE SCORECARD Association of Holistic Feline Specialists Competitive Cat Grooming
Entry Number
Class / Division
Judge
Date
Judging Area
What to Look For
Max
Smooth, Consistent Body Coat
Shortened body coat is smooth and consistent with no tracks, gouges, tufts or missed areas.
20
Mane & Neck Coat
Remaining mane and neck coat are clean, even and intentionally shaped.
15
Leg Furnishings
Leg furnishings are left evenly, intentionally and symmetrically where appropriate.
15
Tail Tuft
Tail tuft is cleanly shaped, appropriately placed and proportioned to the cat and finished design.
10
Transition Lines
Mane, leg, belly and tail transition lines are clean, crisp, even and balanced.
15
Symmetry & Polished Finish
Completed lion cut is balanced, cohesive, symmetrical where appropriate and polished from all angles.
15
Cat Safety & Handling
Calm, efficient handling; safe tools/products; safe work practices; response to stress. Loose skin and high-risk anatomy are protected.
10
TOTAL SCORE
SAFETY / DQ REVIEW
Score
100
No / Yes
Judge Comments
/ 100
Reason:
Any nick, clipper burn, unsafe handling or unacceptable distress must be sent to Technical Delegate to review. Cat safety can override the numerical score.
Judge Signature
Association of Holistic Feline Specialists Competitive Cat Grooming
Lion Cut | 4
CREATIVE GROOMING — JUDGE SCORECARD Association of Holistic Feline Specialists Competitive Cat Grooming
Entry Number
Class / Division
Judge
Date
Judging Area
What to Look For
Max
Required Coat-Shaping Technique
At least one coat-shaping technique is demonstrated: carving, sculpting, creative clipping and/or scissoring. Work is intentional and clearly visible.
30
Technical Execution
Chosen techniques are clean and controlled. If approved, color or chalk is used, application is even, intentional and free of unwanted transfer; no color is required.
25
Design & Composition
Design flows with the cat’s body and coat; placement, proportion, balance or intentional asymmetry support the concept.
15
Creativity & Originality
Concept is imaginative, distinctive and shows the competitor’s own creative choices.
10
Overall Finished Presentation
Final design is cohesive, polished, readable and visually strong from multiple angles.
10
Cat Safety, Handling & Product Safety
Calm, efficient handling; safe tools/products; safe work practices; response to stress. Loose skin and high-risk anatomy are protected.
10
TOTAL SCORE
SAFETY / DQ REVIEW
100
No / Yes
Score
Judge Comments
/ 100
Reason:
At least one coat-shaping technique is required. Approved color or chalk is optional: using it earns no automatic bonus, and omitting it causes no deduction. When used, its application is judged within Technical Execution.
Judge Signature
Association of Holistic Feline Specialists Competitive Cat Grooming
Creative Grooming | 5
QUICK JUDGE GUIDE Use the same simple standard for every line item. Start at the maximum and subtract only for visible, explainable faults. Whole points only.
Level
Use this range
Meaning
Placement expectation
Excellent
90–100% of available points
Complete, clean, polished and safe.
Likely placement-level
Very Good
80–89%
Strong work with small faults.
Competitive
Good
70–79%
Solid work with visible areas to improve.
May place depending on number of entries
Needs Improvement
50–69%
Several visible faults or incomplete refinement.
Usually below placements, no placements if no one above this range.
Poor / Not Completed
0–49%
Major faults, missing work or serious safety concern.
No placement
JUDGING ORDER 1. Prejudge
Record the starting coat, condition and planned work. Do not award points yet.
2. Observe
Watch handling, tool use, cat response and safe work throughout the class.
3. Final judge
Touch and comb through the coat; examine technical work, finish and skin.
4. Score
Enter whole numbers up to each maximum and add to 100.
5. Compare
Review the highest totals side by side and if multiple judges present, average out the amount between judges for a final score.
6. Confirm
Judge(s) and Technical Delegate confirms placements and resolves any safety or disqualification issue.
Association of Holistic Feline Specialists Competitive Cat Grooming
Judge Guide | 6
FELINE COMPETITION — RESULTS SUMMARY Enter each judge’s 100-point total. The average and class rank calculate automatically. Use the two tie-break fields only when averages are equal.
Entry #
Competitor
Cat
Association of Holistic Feline Specialists Competitive Cat Grooming
Class / Division
Judge 1
Judge 2
Judge 3
Average
Calculated Rank
Confirmed Place
T.D Initials
Judge’s Initial(s)
Results Summary | 7