Actually it's best to start showing as early as possible. When a cat grows older it usually doesn't get as well adjusted to shows as a cat who has been shown since kitten. A kitten usually gets used to shows pretty soon, but an adult often never does. Of course there are always exceptions (some cats who are shown since kitten don't get used to shows and some who enter a show as an adult for the first time are natural show cats), but generally speaking this is the case.

There's always a risk that a cat will catch something at the show. My bengal got sick after his first show (he had diharrea) and he had a bit of an upset stomach a couple of times, but I guess his immune system got stronger as a result because he hasn't had any problems since (for the last two years).

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Owned by two housecats and a bengal

I second what elfing says.
Start showing as soon as possible so that you know if the cat will be OK or not.
I had to remove one of mine in his second show as he was stressed out - have not taken him back since, he made the decision and I stuck by it. The other one however is fine, I did find that having a double pen was much better as he was able to spread himself out.

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Kato & Leon