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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.