This member of the feline family got its name for a reason. It can be explained by the unusual coloring of its face: looking at it, one can't help but think the cat is wearing a carnival mask, ready to attend a masquerade ball. However, that's not the only advantage of this long-haired beauty.
It also stands out for its unique colorpoint coat, which highlights its stunning, bright eyes. These animals are known for their sensitivity, affection, and intelligence, so it's no surprise that they are increasingly being found in the homes of our compatriots.
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History of the breed's origin
This breed received its unusual name from St. Petersburg felinologists. The Neva Masquerade cat breed first made its appearance in this city. in the winter of 1988Visitors to the country's first cat show had the opportunity to meet this beauty. The people who attended were amazed and therefore showed increased interest in this unusually colored animal. Experts also paid attention to her, and she soon acquired her familiar name, corresponding to the city where she was first shown.
The Neva Masquerade cat breed was officially recognized in 1992. Since then, this feline variety has gained increasing following, and today, many people know about the Neva Masquerade cat not only in our country but also abroad.
Description of the Neva Masquerade cat breed
Photos of these animals cannot tell us all of their features, so it is worth getting to know them better.
Domestic breeders did not have to resort to special tricks to create this breed of cats. Everything happened naturallySiberians developed a sexual relationship with Siamese cats, and their offspring became the Neva Masquerade cat. The Neva inherited its strong, powerful body, very thick fur, and robust health from its Siberian father. The Siamese mother gave her offspring a distinctive masquerade costume, including a light-colored body, a dark mask, and tan markings on the paws and tail. The finishing touch was its strikingly beautiful blue eyes. Therefore, upon seeing this vibrant coloring, anyone familiar with the breed will recognize it as a Neva Masquerade cat.
To make it easier to distinguish it, we will list the distinctive features of the breed below.
Head
Representatives of this breed have a large head, which is very similar to a short trapezoid. According to breed standards, The forehead of these cats is wide and roundedThe back flows smoothly toward the nose. There is no stop as such. The chin does not protrude significantly from the rest of the muzzle, but it is quite strong. The cheeks are firm.
The ears are set wide and tilted slightly forward. A striking feature of the ears are the distinct tufts. The eyes are round, set wide and obliquely. The eyelids are quite distinctive: the lower ones are semicircular, while the upper ones are arched. The eyes are blue, but some come in a variety of shades—lavender, Mediterranean, blue, and more.
Body
Among the Neva Masquerade cat's virtues, its impressive size is worth noting. This characteristic is why it is commonly classified as among the largest in the worldOnly slightly larger than the famous giant Maine Coons, these cats inherited their strong bones and well-developed muscles from their ancestors.
A distinctive feature of Neva Masquerade cats are their strong limbs, which, when combined with their body, form a nearly perfect rectangle. Their paws are large and rounded, with tufts of hair between the toes.
The tail is widened at the base, quite powerful, and rounded at the tip. Its rich feathering makes it attractive.
These cats are quite massive animals, weighing an average of 6 kg. Males are larger in this regard, reaching 8-9 kg or more.
Wool
Newborn kittens of this breed have wool with unique propertiesAccording to owners, not only does it not accumulate dirt and moisture, but it's also tangle-free. The traditional Neva Masquerade cat has medium-length fur. However, where the coat transitions from the shoulder blades to the rump, it becomes longer. The sides are softer than the back.
The Siberian Colorpoint's striking features include its breeches, luxurious ruff, tail plume, and double undercoat that covers its entire body. Interestingly, during shedding, cats of this breed almost completely lose their ruff and breeches.
Color
When first introduced to this breed, some might think there is no difference between them. However, in reality, there is at least 6 color options.
- The most common color pattern is the seal-point cat. Their name comes from the English word "seal." Another fairly common variety is the seal tabby point. Their primary characteristics are their light fur and dark points on their paws, tail, ears, and face. Some individuals have a combination of black and white.
- In addition to the above-mentioned varieties, the "Red-point" color is quite well known. Its main distinguishing feature is the color transition into the red spectrum;
- Blue-point. This color is characterized by the presence of bluish hues;
- Tortie point. This color is found only in females.
At the same time, today many species have been bred, having silvery shades, corresponding to all the above-mentioned color point variants.
Character
At first glance, the Neva Masquerade cat may seem like a rather stern animal. In reality, this is not the case, as these creatures are quite even-tempered and gentle. Many breeders can confirm that newborn kittens form a strong bond with their humans. After a month of living together, Neva Masquerade cats can no longer imagine themselves without their owners. However, this should not be interpreted as slavish love. Everything is built on partnershipsA cat wants its owner to love it and respect it as an equal. Otherwise, it will harbor deep resentment.
However, don't expect revenge to follow. This cat isn't bred to stoop to such a level. At the same time, these animals are known for their stubborn nature. Therefore, attempting to communicate with them is a true psychological duel, in which only the one with the greatest composure and wisdom will prevail.
Neva Masquerade cats don't take long to establish themselves friendly relations with childrenThey exhibit a completely different attitude toward strangers—they will be wary of them. Overall, at the genetic level, the Neva Masquerade cat is distinguished by a pronounced aristocratic nature, which is evident in its behavior.
Care and maintenance
To ensure your pet feels all the love you have for them, you'll need to follow the same grooming routines as for other cat breeds. However, the most important part of the animal that requires special attention is the coat. To keep it beautiful and clean, owners must have special devices:
- slicker brush;
- a special massage brush;
- shampoos for long-haired cat breeds.
These cats shed infrequently—no more than twice a year. Therefore, you won't need much time or effort to clean up your apartment afterward. However, this will only happen if you've provided proper grooming throughout the year: brushing at least twice a week and bathing two to three times a month.
When grooming a Neva Masquerade cat, keep in mind that brushing its tail is not acceptable. The tail covering the hairs are very weak and can easily fall out if you're not careful. For new hairs to grow, you'll need to be patient.
You should also regularly wash your pet's eyes, clean its ears and teeth, and give it a manicure to keep it clean.
Health
Since the Neva Masquerade cat is a natural breed, it not only has a willful nature but also excellent health. These animals are very rarely affected by hereditary diseases. The only danger they face is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Without going into the medical details, this is one of the heart diseases: Its main symptom is blood stagnation in the pulmonary blood vessels. If an animal develops this disease, it will result in sudden death caused by pulmonary edema.
It's impossible to detect this disease by external signs. However, if it's detected early, supportive therapy can be administered. However, such measures will only prolong the animal's life.
The main protection against diseases for these cats is a strong immune system and proper diet.
Neva Masquerade cats are long-lived; some of them live for over 20 years.
Feeding
When caring for a Neva Masquerade cat, you need to determine the right diet for herAlthough these cats are quite large, there's no need to worry about the risk of obesity. Ideally, your pet should eat twice a day, with each meal consuming approximately 120 grams of food. Meat and organ meats should be a staple in their diet.
It is recommended to feed your cat beef, rabbit and poultry, which will provide it with the necessary amount of protein;- Liver can also be given to a Neva Masquerade cat, but not too often, as excessive consumption can affect its coat color. Seafood has a similar effect. However, fish can be completely excluded from the Neva Masquerade cat's diet. Many cat lovers have long known that including fish and seafood in the cat's diet will not provide any benefits.
- Make sure your pet regularly receives fermented milk products. However, pay attention to the fat content: products should have an optimal fat content. Therefore, the best options are cottage cheese, yogurt, and medium-fat kefir.
It is recommended to feed your cat beef, rabbit and poultry, which will provide it with the necessary amount of protein;Conclusion
Neva Masquerade cats are unique creatures, and they attract attention not so much for their character, but for their unique appearance. It's therefore understandable why the number of fans of this breed has increased in recent years. Adopting this pet wouldn't be a rash decision, as grooming is relatively easy. Owners only need to maintain their coat by regularly brushing and bathing their cat. Neva Masquerade cats are generally healthy, so they won't require frequent veterinary visits.
