From gourmet meals to private rooms: How cats live like royalty in Vietnam

At the WCF World Cat Show 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, cat owners from Vietnam and abroad shared stories of their prized pets, revealing the lengths they go to in caring for their feline companions.

Luxury living for four-legged royalty

Pham Thi Trang, a resident of Phu My Hung Ward in Ho Chi Minh City, attracted attention with two Maine Coons, a breed known for its impressive size, thick coat, and hefty price tag.

Trang said Maine Coons could fetch thousands of dollars, with her most expensive cat valued at VND150 million (US$5,811).

Keeping them in top condition is no small task. Their thick coats require regular grooming, while their diet must support healthy muscle and bone development.

“We pamper our two cats like cherished members of the family. Each has its own air-conditioned room and enjoys fresh pâté, dry food, and other high-quality meals,” Trang said.

Ahead of the competition, Trang carefully bathed and groomed them, making sure they were relaxed before entering the judging ring.

Her family now owns numerous cats and has recently opened a breeding cattery out of their love for the breed.

Meanwhile, Duong Rau, who runs the Bengal Mien Tay cattery in Dong Thap Province, brought several Bengal cats to the show, including one worth VND50-60 million ($1,937-2,324).

One of his cats currently leads the World Cat Federation (WCF) points ranking.

Unlike Maine Coons, Bengals are relatively low-maintenance thanks to their short coats, Duong said.

Their meals consist mainly of chicken, quail, and beef, while regular grooming, deworming, and vaccinations help keep them healthy.

But these energetic cats need plenty of room to move.

Duong provides each cat with a separate enclosure measuring about one square meter in floor area and two meters in height, complete with climbing structures and toys.

Rescued cats, international champions

Not every feline star at the show comes with an extravagant price tag.

Lord Kaeleb of Junior Household, a four-year-old rescued domestic shorthair from Malaysia, has competed in 16 WCF shows.

Its owner, Caitlern, 21, said the cat enjoys sleeping in air-conditioned rooms and can eat a variety of foods, from raw meat to wet and dry food.

What makes Lord Kaeleb particularly unusual is its tail, which Caitlern said can rotate 360 degrees.

Despite its relatively simple care routine, preparing the cat for competitions requires considerable attention, especially during the shedding season.

"The hardest part is when the cat starts shedding. That's when grooming and brushing become much more demanding," she said.

Since the competition season began in April, Lord Kaeleb has won its first award in Vietnam.

Another international competitor was PL Maskotek Yoda II of Ragdoll Hatchery, an eight-month-old male Ragdoll originally from Poland.

Its owner, Leo Lim, 31, from the Philippines, said the cat is valued at around VND40 million ($1,550).

Competing for only the second time after making its debut in the Philippines, the Ragdoll earned several awards based on breed standards, presentation, grooming, and handling.

Leo said maintaining a balanced diet is crucial to preparing a cat for competition.

"We want the cat to be muscular and healthy, but not overweight. That's why I combine wet and dry food in its diet," he explained.

His passion for cat shows began after he happened upon a competition at a shopping mall. Encouraged by a judge after his first cat won an award, he decided to pursue breeding more seriously.

For Leo, however, responsible breeding goes beyond winning prizes.

He believes breeders should follow established standards while treating their cats as family members.