Mary Allen
The Neva Masquerade is an adorable cat with a special point color coat. It is an affectionate cat with naturally long hair, a muscular body, and a bushy tail resembling that of a mini wild cat.
Background
The Neva Masquerade cat is a point variant of the Siberian cat. This means she has color “dots” on her face and paws. Like the Siberian cat, the Neva Masquerade cat is originally from Russia and was named after the Neva River in St. Petersburg, where it evolved around the late 1970s.
However, Siberian cats appeared as early as around the year 1000. Native to Russia, they come from the cold climate of the Siberian forest and are very hardy. Russian farmers and traders were the first people to use Siberian cats to protect the grain and other produce from rodents.
Personality
The Neva Masquerade and the Siberian cat share the same breed standard of appearance and character. These intelligent cats love to cuddle and are sweet, cheerful, and affectionate. They make loyal companions, ideal for families with children, and they get along well with other pets too. When you come home, you will probably always receive a warm welcome.
These fluffy cats are lively, agile, athletic, and have lots of energy. They can learn tricks and fetch. A little patience is all it takes to train this clever and eager cat. You will be rewarded with a loving and funny little fellow. Neva Masquerade is also known for a large repertoire of purring and meowing sounds. You can often be heard from them, but fortunately, they are not loud.
Appearance, Size, And Weight
Cats of this breed are medium to large in size, the weight of males varies from 4.5 to 9 kg. Females are much smaller, weighing between 4 and 6 kg. As with many larger cats, development takes time and they are not fully grown until they are three years old.
This handsome breed has light blue eyes, a long, thick coat with a crown and tufts of ears, a muscular body, and a bushy tail. These features give the Neva Masquerade the appearance of a cute mini wildcat. The head has a round shape and is proportional to the body.
Color
The point coloring of the Neva Masquerade makes this breed unique. The cats are typically all white with some black, gray, or brown spots on the paws, face, and ears. Cats with this coat color are called “point cats”.
The breed lacks the enzyme tyrosinase responsible for the production of the pigment melanin. Therefore they have a white body. While some cats have black, gray, or brown paws as part of their point coloring, some have white paws despite the dark coloring of their face and ears.
Grooming
This long-haired breed, with a triple coat of extra-long guard hairs, a medium coat, and a plush undercoat, sheds a lot of hair. The fur is dense and very soft, especially on the sides. It is long at the chest and short at the neck and shoulders. Although the coat does not typically become matted, regular grooming is required to keep shedding under control. Cats should be brushed regularly to remove excess hair and prevent knots from forming.
Peculiarities Of The Breed
Like the Siberian cat, the Neva Masquerade is known to be a hypoallergenic cat breed. Hypoallergenic means it is less likely to cause an allergic reaction. But be warned, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. It just means she has a low tendency to do so. That’s because the Neva Masquerade produces less of the protein that triggers the allergic reactions, despite the thick hair.
Hereditary Diseases
In general, the Neva Masquerade is a very healthy cat, but it can also have health problems, mainly related to obesity. This can worsen hip dysplasia and other deformities. Hip dysplasia means that the hip joints do not develop normally, which can limit the function of these joints.
Like many cats, the Neva Masquerade can develop a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This is the most common form of heart disease in cats and causes thickening (hypertrophy) of the heart muscle.
Before you buy a cat, always check with the breeder to see if parents and offspring have been tested for the most common diseases within the breed. Every reputable breeder tests all breeding cats and their offspring and keeps the test documents available.
Lining
Like all cats, Neva Masquerades are carnivores and therefore require a diet high in protein and nutrients. Good nutrition is the best basis for long and healthy life. Particular attention is required when choosing the right food for your beloved cat.
Five Facts About The Neva Masquerade
- The Neva Masquerade cat is a point variant of the Siberian cat. This means she has colored “dots” on her face and paws.
- These intelligent cats are curious, sweet, cheerful, and affectionate. They get along very well with children, as well as with other pets.
- The Neva Masquerade is known for its large repertoire of purrs and meows. You can often hear her, but fortunately, she is not loud.
- The Neva Masquerade is known as a hypoallergenic cat breed. This means it’s less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
- Like many big cats, the Neva Masquerade doesn’t fully grow until they are about three years old.