The Neva Masquerade is a furry cat with lots of energy and affection. The thick coat also makes it well-equipped as an outdoor cat in our Nordic climate. In addition, the Neva Masquerade gets along well with most people. But will this active cat breed suit your lifestyle? Read more about the cat's personality, attention needs and health, as well as what you should think about in everyday life if you get a Neva Masquerade cat.
race facts
Child-friendly
Attention needs
Energy level
Talkativeness
Fur care
mowing
Facts about the breed
The Neva Masquerade was actually considered a color variant of the Siberian cat until 2009. They have great similarities, but differences in appearance. The Neva Masquerade cat breed lacks an enzyme called tyrosinase, which means that the cat always has a light base color with darker colors on the face, ears, paws or tail. The Siberian cat, on the other hand, comes in many different colors. The Neva Masquerade also originates from Russia, and is named after the Neva River in St. Petersburg. While the Siberian cat has been known for over 1,000 years, the Neva Masquerade was developed somewhat later, in the late 1970s. Siberian cats are used to surviving in cold climates and were used to keep rodents away from grain and food stores. If two Siberian cats carry the mask gene, they can have Neva Masquerade kittens in their litter!
What can you expect as the owner of a Neva masquerade?
Personality
Personality
Some characteristics of the Neva Masquerade are their curious, trusting and friendly personality. They get along well with other family pets and children. They can be a little reserved with strangers, but it doesn't take long for them to warm up to them. Remember that children need to be accustomed to cats and respect their boundaries and need for peace. Cats should also not be left alone with other smaller pets such as hamsters or birds, as they can quickly become prey for the cat. The Neva Masquerade is described as a talkative type with a lot on their heart. Although it is a very social cat breed that bonds strongly with its owner, they are not typical cuddly cats that love to lie on your lap. But this of course depends on each cat.
Energy and attention needs
Energy and attention needs
Underneath the fur coat, hides an athletic and energetic cat! Neva masquerades are very lively, love to climb and are also very intelligent. If you have patience, you will be able to teach your Neva masquerade to fetch toys or other simple commands. To ensure that your Neva masquerade thrives with you, you should be able to offer daily mental and physical stimulation.
Health
Health
Size and appearance
This medium to large cat is robust and muscular. The Neva Masquerade is similar to the Siberian cat, except that it is masked (also called colorpoint), which means it has a darker color on the face, ears, tail or paws. The most common color combination is white with gray, black or brown points. The eye color is always blue.
Weight
Neva masquerade female cats weigh around 4 - 6 kg.
Neva masquerade male cats weigh around 4.5 - 9 kg.
Lifespan
Approximately 14 - 16 years
Hereditary diseases
Known hereditary diseases in the Neva Masquerade are hip dysplasia and the heart disease hypertrophic cardiomyopathy .
Fur care
Fur care
The Neva Masquerade is a long-haired furball with long topcoats, middle coat and undercoat. This means that you will have to tolerate cat hair on both clothing and furniture. To reduce shedding on sofas and carpets, you can brush your cat regularly. You should also expect your Neva Masquerade to shed a little extra in the spring and autumn when they change their fur. Brushing your cat regularly will also avoid tangles and painful mats that need to be shaved at the vet.
Is Neva Masquerade hypoallergenic?
The short answer is no, no cat breed is 100% hypoallergenic. That said, many Neva Masquerade owners find that this breed of cat triggers fewer allergic reactions than other cats. This is due to the reduced production of the allergenic protein.
Food and nutrition
Food and nutrition
Being overweight in Neva Masquerades can worsen the symptoms of the hereditary diseases they are prone to, so it is important to keep an eye on how much you feed your cat. There are cat foods specifically designed for Siberian cats that are well suited to Neva Masquerades, but remember to adapt the food to your cat's age, health and lifestyle.
If you want to become the owner of a Neva Masquerade, you should make sure to find a reputable breeder. How much a kitten costs will vary, but you can expect a price of between 13,000 - 15,000 NOK for a Neva Masquerade kitten.
Having purebred cats as pets has become very popular, but unfortunately this has resulted in many unscrupulous breeders who engage in unethical breeding for profit. Therefore, it is important for you as a buyer to get information about how the cat was bred so that you do not contribute to cats with hereditary and serious diseases being born. If a purebred cat is sold without a pedigree, you will never know whether the kitten has been stolen, or whether illegal trade has taken place.
A serious breeder in a federation must follow strict requirements for animal welfare and health. Good breeders will also demand something from you to ensure that the cat has a good life. Remember to check if the breeder is registered through the Norwegian Cat Breeders' Association (NRR) / FIFe / TICA and that the pedigree, health certificate (and possibly the purchase contract and vaccination card/veterinary passport) are included.
