Maine Coon cats are known for their impressive size and fluffy coats, but did you know they come in a rainbow of colors?
These gentle giants can sport over 80 different color and pattern combinations, making them one of the most diverse cat breeds in terms of appearance.
The wide variety of Maine Coon colors is due to their unique genetic makeup, which allows for an amazing array of coat hues and patterns.
From classic tabby stripes to solid colors and even tortoiseshell patterns, there’s a Maine Coon to suit every cat lover’s taste.
The breed’s color palette includes rich reds, deep blacks, soft blues, and creamy whites, among many others.
One fascinating aspect of Maine Coon coloration is the role of the inhibitor gene.
This gene can create stunning silver and smoke coats by altering the pigmentation of the cat’s fur.
Whether you’re drawn to a fiery ginger Maine Coon or a regal black and white tuxedo, these cats never fail to captivate with their colorful coats and charming personalities.
Maine Coon Cat Colors
Maine Coon cats come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. These large, fluffy felines can sport over 80 different color and pattern combinations recognized by cat associations.
Black
Black Maine Coons have a sleek, jet-black coat from nose to tail. Their fur is often glossy and can have a slight brown tinge in sunlight. Black Maine Coons may have golden or copper eyes.
Some black Maine Coons carry a smoke gene. This makes their undercoat lighter, giving them a smoky appearance when they move.
Black is one of the most common solid colors for Maine Coons. These cats are often nicknamed “mini panthers” due to their size and color.
White
White Maine Coons have pure white fur from head to toe. Their coat can be short and sleek or long and fluffy. White Maine Coons may have blue, gold, or odd-colored eyes.
These cats are prone to deafness, especially if they have blue eyes. White Maine Coons need extra sun protection as they can get sunburned easily.
Despite their color, white Maine Coons still need regular grooming to keep their coat clean and mat-free.
Blue (Gray)
Blue Maine Coons aren’t actually blue. Their coat is a soft, diluted gray color that can range from light silver to deep charcoal. This color comes from a dilution gene that lightens black fur.
Blue Maine Coons often have golden or copper eyes. Their nose leather and paw pads are usually blue-gray.
This color is popular among Maine Coon fans. It gives the cats a regal, sophisticated look that matches their large size and fluffy coat.
Cream
Cream Maine Coons have a pale, off-white coat color. It’s a dilute version of the red color. Cream cats can range from almost white to a warm buff shade.
These cats often have pink noses and paw pads. Their eyes are usually gold or copper colored.
Cream Maine Coons may have slight shading on their ears, tail, and face. This gives them a subtle, elegant appearance that many cat lovers adore.
Red
Red Maine Coons, also known as orange or ginger, have a warm, rusty coat color. Their fur can range from light orange to deep auburn. Red is one of the most vibrant colors in Maine Coons.
Most red Maine Coons are male, as the gene for red fur is linked to the X chromosome. Female red Maine Coons are less common.
Red Maine Coons often have freckles on their nose and lips. Their eyes are usually gold or green.
Classic Tabby
Classic tabby Maine Coons have bold, swirling patterns on their sides. These patterns often look like a bullseye or oyster shell. The classic tabby pattern can appear in various colors, including brown, silver, and red.
These cats have “M” markings on their forehead and dark lines around their eyes. Their tails are ringed, and their legs have stripes.
Classic tabby Maine Coons are known for their striking appearance. The bold patterns stand out against their long, fluffy fur.
Mackerel Tabby
Mackerel tabby Maine Coons have narrow stripes running down their sides. These stripes branch out from a dark line along the cat’s spine, resembling a fish skeleton. This pattern can occur in many colors, like brown, silver, or red.
Mackerel tabbies have the classic “M” marking on their forehead. They also have striped legs and ringed tails.
This is the most common tabby pattern in Maine Coons. It gives them a wild, tiger-like appearance that many find appealing.
Spotted Tabby
Spotted tabby Maine Coons have a coat covered in spots instead of stripes. These spots can be large or small, round or oval. The spotted pattern can appear in various colors, including brown, silver, and red.
Like other tabbies, spotted Maine Coons have the “M” marking on their forehead. They also have spotted legs and ringed tails.
Spotted tabby Maine Coons are less common than classic or mackerel tabbies. Their unique coat pattern gives them a wild, exotic look.
Ticked Tabby
Ticked tabby Maine Coons have a unique coat pattern. Each hair has bands of light and dark color, giving the cat a speckled appearance. From a distance, they may look solid colored.
Ticked tabbies often have tabby markings on their face, legs, and tail. Their body, however, lacks the stripes or spots seen in other tabby patterns.
This pattern can occur in various colors. It gives Maine Coons a subtle, elegant look that’s different from other tabby patterns.
Black Smoke
Black smoke Maine Coons have a striking appearance. Their fur is black on the surface but white at the base. When they move, the white undercoat shows through, creating a smoky effect.
These cats often have green or gold eyes. Their nose leather and paw pads are black.
Black smoke Maine Coons can look dramatically different depending on how they’re sitting or moving. This color gives them a mysterious, ever-changing appearance.
Blue Smoke
Blue smoke Maine Coons have a blue-gray coat with white roots. Like black smokes, their coat color seems to change as they move, revealing the lighter undercoat.
These cats usually have copper or gold eyes. Their nose leather and paw pads are blue-gray.
Blue smoke Maine Coons have a softer, more subtle appearance than black smokes. Their color gives them an elegant, sophisticated look.
Tortoiseshell (Tortie)
Tortoiseshell Maine Coons have a mix of black and red patches on their coat. These patches can be large or small, creating a mottled appearance. Some torties also have cream patches.
Most tortoiseshell Maine Coons are female. This is because the gene for this coat color is linked to the X chromosome.
Tortie Maine Coons are known for their unique, multi-colored coats. No two torties have exactly the same pattern.
Calico
Calico Maine Coons are a stunning mix of three colors: white, black, and orange. This pattern is almost always found in female cats due to genetic factors. Calico Maine Coons have patches of each color spread across their coat.
The size and placement of these patches can vary, making each calico unique. Some may have more white, while others might have larger areas of black or orange.
Calico Maine Coons often have white paws and chests. Their faces can be a mix of colors or predominantly one color with patches of others.
Shaded Silver
Shaded Silver Maine Coons have a striking appearance. Their fur is white at the base with black tips, creating a shimmering effect.
The silver coloration is most noticeable on the cat’s back, sides, and tail. The undercoat remains a lighter shade, often appearing almost white.
Shaded Silver Maine Coons usually have green or gold eyes. Their nose leather and paw pads are often brick red or black.
This color variation gives the Maine Coon an elegant and sophisticated look.
Shaded Blue Silver
Shaded Blue Silver Maine Coons have a softer, more muted appearance compared to their Shaded Silver counterparts. Their fur is white at the base with blue-gray tips.
This creates a beautiful, ethereal look that many cat lovers adore. The blue shading is most pronounced on the cat’s back, sides, and tail.
Shaded Blue Silver Maine Coons often have green or blue eyes. Their nose leather and paw pads are usually blue-gray or pink.
This color variation gives the Maine Coon a gentle, almost misty appearance.
Shaded Cameo
Shaded Cameo Maine Coons have a warm, glowing appearance. Their fur is white at the base with red tips, creating a soft, peachy effect.
The cameo shading is most noticeable on the cat’s back, sides, and tail. The undercoat remains a lighter shade, often appearing almost white.
Shaded Cameo Maine Coons usually have copper or gold eyes. Their nose leather and paw pads are often pink.
This color variation gives the Maine Coon a warm, inviting look that many find irresistible.
Shaded Tortoiseshell
Shaded Tortoiseshell Maine Coons combine the shaded pattern with the tortoiseshell coloration. Their fur is white at the base with tips in shades of black and red.
This creates a complex, multi-toned appearance. The tortoiseshell pattern can vary greatly from cat to cat, making each one unique.
Shaded Tortoiseshell Maine Coons often have green or gold eyes. Their nose leather and paw pads can be a mix of black and pink.
This color variation gives the Maine Coon a rich, textured appearance that many find fascinating.
Bi-Color
Bi-color Maine Coons feature two distinct colors in their coat. The most common combinations are white with another color, such as black, red, or blue.
The white areas are typically found on the chest, belly, paws, and face. The second color covers the rest of the body, including the back and tail.
Some bi-color Maine Coons have a “tuxedo” pattern, with a white chest and paws resembling a formal suit. Others may have more random patches of white.
Bi-color Maine Coons can have eyes of various colors, depending on their specific color combination.
Lavender
Lavender Maine Coons are a rare and beautiful color variation. Their coat is a pale, pinkish-gray color that resembles the lavender flower.
This soft, muted color gives the Maine Coon a delicate and ethereal appearance. The lavender coloration is uniform across the cat’s body.
Lavender Maine Coons often have blue or green eyes. Their nose leather and paw pads are usually pink or lavender-pink.
This color variation is highly sought after by Maine Coon enthusiasts due to its rarity and beauty.
Chocolate
Chocolate Maine Coons have a rich, warm brown coat that resembles milk chocolate. This color is less common in Maine Coons than some other breeds.
The chocolate coloration is uniform across the cat’s body, giving them a sleek and elegant appearance. Their undercoat may be slightly lighter than the outer coat.
Chocolate Maine Coons usually have gold or green eyes. Their nose leather and paw pads are often cinnamon-colored.
This color variation gives the Maine Coon a luxurious, velvety look that many find appealing.
Shell (White with Light Color Tipping)
Shell Maine Coons are predominantly white with light color tipping on their fur. This creates a subtle, delicate appearance.
The tipping is most noticeable on the cat’s back, sides, and tail. It can be in various colors, such as black, blue, or red.
Shell Maine Coons often have blue or green eyes. Their nose leather and paw pads are usually pink.
This color variation gives the Maine Coon an almost ethereal, cloud-like appearance that many find captivating.
