Neva Masquerade

The Neva Masquerade is the colourpointed variety of the Siberian cat, named after the River Neva, which flows through Saint Petersburg, where the type took shape in the late twentieth century. The word masquerade refers to the dark mask on the face, and the eyes are blue. The coat is long, dense and double, with a full ruff, so it needs regular brushing, especially while it is being shed. Males typically weigh around 4.5 to 7 kilograms, on a large, muscular frame. It is a calm, friendly cat that tends to bond closely with its family. Thanks to the dense coat, it is comfortable in cool surroundings. Life expectancy is typically around 12 to 16 years.

Neva Masquerade: how old in human years?

3.5–7 kgWeight
12–16 yrsLife expectancy

British Shorthair

FIFe category: Category II — Semi-longhair
Recognition: Recognised
FIFe: NEM
Country of origin: Russia

Energy level

3/5
Playfulness

4/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

3/5

At a glance

Weight

Males 4.5–7 kg

Females 3.5–5 kg

Life expectancy

12–16 yrs

Coat

double-layered (long)

Temperament & Family Life

Neva Masquerade: average score for sociability and trainability is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 3/5

Activity & Living Space

Neva Masquerade: average score for activity and living space is moderate.

Energy level 3/5
Playfulness 4/5
Hunting instinct 2/5
Apartment friendly 4/5

Personality & Communication

Neva Masquerade: average score for personality and communication is moderate.

Affection 4/5
Independence 3/5
Vocality 2/5

Grooming & Shedding

Neva Masquerade: grooming and shedding demands are moderate.

Shedding 3/5
Grooming need 3/5

The 1–5 trait scores are editorial estimates, not measurements. Every cat is an individual, so treat them as a general guide.

Living with the Neva Masquerade

A dark mask and vivid blue eyes give this cat an air of mystery, but the character behind the mask is simple and warm: a Neva Masquerade is calmly friendly, curious and wants to be wherever family life is happening. It takes its name from the Neva river in St Petersburg, where it was developed.

Big and heavy as it is, it is nimble, and gets on top of a wardrobe as if there were stairs, so a tall, sturdy cat tree is a necessity rather than decoration. It still likes to play as an adult, and after a game it naps long and deeply. It takes a short spell alone without drama, given a window with a view and something to do.

It gets on well with children, dogs and other cats, and looks visitors over without hiding. It doesn't use its voice much: instead of meowing you will hear a soft purr or a brief chirp. A flat suits it, though with a coat like that it will seek out the coolest floor in the house on a hot summer day.

Grooming and coat

The Neva Masquerade's coat is cut for a Russian winter: long, sturdy top hairs over a dense undercoat, with a full ruff round the neck. For much of the year a comb-through twice a week is enough, but in spring and autumn, when the undercoat changes, you will find hair everywhere, and then it needs combing daily.

Start with a wide-toothed comb and finish with a finer one, paying attention behind the ears, under the ruff and on the inside of the back legs, where the hair likes to clump. Don't tug at a stubborn knot; let a groomer or a vet deal with it. Don't be surprised if the body coat darkens a little over the years: in pointed cats the colour follows body temperature.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a kitten, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own cat's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Cheapest cat food per kg

This list is the same on every cat breed page. Shops do not label cat food by breed, so it simply shows the cheapest cat food we track per kilogram. Check the label for your cat's age and health needs. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 73 g of dry food a day, from €4,19 a month For a neutered, normally active 5 kg cat. Calculate for your cat