Maine Coon Central – Maine Coon Cats: Breed, Price, Size, Health, Grooming

Have you ever seen a gray Maine Coon cat, or as the English would say, a grey Maine Coon cat? If not, you are missing out because this fabulous-looking cat has a mysterious beauty that makes them very appealing. Gray Maine Coon cats come in various color variants which are all included under the official Maine Coon color banding of 'blue'. Gray Maine Coon colors include grey tabbies, grey smoke, grey and white, and grey and black, to name a few. Often misspelled as 'Gray', this ever-popular Maine Coon coloring can be found in a variety of different shades, from 'grey smoke', to 'grey and white'. The most bizarre fact about this particular Maine Coon coloring, however, is that officially the grey Maine Coon is labeled as a blue Maine Coon! How To Identify A Grey Maine Coon Cat If we refer to the Cat Fanciers Association, it is quickly evident to see that the 'grey Maine Coon' is not recognized as an official Maine Coon coloring. Instead, the 'grey Maine Coon' actually falls under the color category 'blue' (source 1). Although calling a grey Maine Coon, 'blue' might seem a little surprising at first, you shouldn't be too shocked since there is a large degree of overlap across all the official Maine Coon colorings. For instance, did you know that an Orange Maine Coon is actually officially labeled as a 'red' Maine Coon? Check out my article 'Orange Maine Coon: Complete Guide' for more information on the fascinating red Maine Coon cat. According to the Cat Fanciers Association, grey Maine Coon cats and kittens are available within the following color classes: Solid Color ClassAll Other Tabby Color ClassAll Other Tabby & White Colors and Color Class (Including Vans)Bi-Color Color Class (Including Vans)Parti-Color Color ClassParti-Color And White Color ClassShaded And Smoke Color ClassShaded/Smoke And White Color Class (Including Vans) The table below summarises the physical colorings that a grey Maine Coon cat must have, to be considered part of the 'blue Maine Coon' color category (source 1). Colour ClassColour RequirementsSolid Colour Class (Name: Blue)Cat with one level tone from their nose to the tip of the tail. Sound to the roots, and blue nose and paw leatherAll Other Tabbies Colors Class (Name: Blue-Silver Tabby)Classic, mackerel, ticked: Cats ground color will be clear silver, pale. Deep blue markings contrast well with ground color. The association prefers cats to have old rose nose leather and rose-colored paw pads. They are permitted white trim around their chin and lip(Name: Blue-Silver Patched Tabby)Classic, mackerel, ticked: Cats ground color is clear silver, pale. For blue markings mixed with cream patches. White undercoat. Old rose-colored nose leather, and rose and/or pink paw pads are deemed desirable. This coloring is allowed a white trim around their chin and lip(Name: Blue Tabby)Classic, mackerel, ticked: Cats ground color is pale bluish Ivory. Their very deep blue markings contrast well with their ground color. Overtones of warm fawn, or patina over the whole. Rose paw pads and old rose nose leather is preferred. White trim around the chin and lip are permitted(Name: Blue Patchy Tabby)Classic, mackerel, ticked: Cats have pale bluish Ivory ground color, with very deep blue markings & patches of cream. Overtones of warm fawns or patina over the the whole is visible. Rose and/or pink paw pads and old rose nose leather are preferred. The cat may have white trim around its chin and lipAll Other Tabby & White Colors and Color Class (Including Vans) - Name: Tabby & WhiteClassic, mackerel, ticked: The cat's coloring is as defined for a tabby, with/without white on the face. Should have white onbib, all four paws, and belly. Blue, blue-silver, cream, cream-silver, cameo colors accepted(Name: Patched Tabby & White)Classic, mackerel, ticked: The same coloring as listed for patched tabby (torbie), with/without white on the face. Necessary to have white on all four paws, belly, and bib. CFA accepts blue patched or blue-silver patched coloringsBi-Color Color Class (Name: Blue & White)The cat will have a mixture of blue and white, with/without white on its face. There must be white on all four paws, belly, and bibParti-Color Color Class (Name: Blue-Cream)The cat will be blue with cream patches, or cream colors softly intermingled on their boy and extremitiesParti-Color & White Color Class (Name: Dilute Calico)Includes vans: Cat will be white, with patches of blue and cream. Their underparts are mainly white(Name: Blue-Cream & WhiteCat color named blue-cream, with/without white on their face. Need to have white on all four paws, bib, and bellyShaded &Smoke Color Class - (Name: Chinchilla Blue Silver)Cat has a white undercoat. Sparkling silver appearance, due to coat on the back, flanks, head, and tail being tipped with blue. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with blue. Rose paw pads and nose leather are preferred. Pure white chin, stomach, chest, ear tufts. The cat may have legs slightly shaded with tipping(Name: Shaded Blue Silver)White undercoat 'with a mantle of blue tipping shading down from sides, face, and tail from dark on the ridge to white on the chin, chest, stomach, and under the tail'. The cat must have legs with the same tone as its face. Much darker color. Rose paw pads and nose leather are preferred. Rims of lips, eyes, and nose outlined with blue(Name: Shell Blue-Cream)White undercoat. The fur on the cat's flanks, back, and tail gently tipped with blue and shades of cream. Rose to blue paw pads (patched/unpatched), nose leather, and rims of eyes. Ear furnishings, chest ruff, the stomach can be white to very lightly tipped with shading. Can have gentle shading with tipping on legs and face (Name: Shaded Blue-Cream)SHADED BLUE-CREAM:White undercoat. 'Mantle of blue and cream shading down the sides, face, and tail'. A cat can have deeper shading on its legs and face. Light tipping allowed on-ear furnishings, chest ruff, stomach, and chin. Appears much darker than shell blue cream. Rose to blue nose leather, paw pads, and rims of eyes - can be patched(Name: Blue Smoke)White undercoat deeply tipped with blue. The resting cat looks blue. The white the undercoat shows when the cat moves. Blue paw pads and nose leather. Ear tufts and frill is white. Mask blue with a narrow and of white hairs next to the skin, visible when fur is parted(Name: Blue-Cream Smoke)Cat has a white undercoat that is 'deeply tipped with blue, with clearly defined patches of cream as in the pattern of the blue cream. Cat will look blue-cream whilst resting. White undercoat visible when moving. Ear tufts and ruff are white. Ears and face display a blue-cream pattern, with a narrow white band at the base of hairs, next to the skin. Desirable to have a blaze of cream on the faceShaded Smoke & White Color Class (Including Vans) - (Name: Chinchilla Blue Silver & White)Cat fur color 'as defined for chinchilla blue silver with or without white on the face'. All four paws, belly, and bib needs to be white.(Name: Shaded Blue Silver & White)Cat fur color 'as defined for shaded blue silver with or without white on the face'. All four paws, belly and bib are white(Name: Shell Blue-Cream & White)'Color as defined for shell blue cream with/without white on the face. All four paws, belly, and bib arewhite(Name: Shaded Blue-Cream & White)'Color as defined for shaded blue-cream with/without white on the face. All four paws, belly, and bib are white(Name: Shell Dilute Calico)Cat has patches of blue, and shades of cream. Their flanks, back, and tail will be gently tipped with shades of cream, and blue. Whilst the stomach, chest ruff, ear furnishings, and chincan be white, to very lightly tipped with shading. Cats underparts are mainly white(Name: Shaded Dilute Calico)The cat is white with patches of blue and shades of cream. Blue and cream shading appears down the tail, face, and sides. Cats' legs and faces can be a deeper shading than the rest of the body. White light tipping permitted on-ear furnishings, stomach, chin, chest ruff. The cat looks far darker than shell dilutes calico. Underparts of a cat are mainly white(Name: Blue Smoke & White)The cat will have color 'as defined for blue smoke with or without white on the face'. All four paws, belly and bib are white(Name: Blue-Cream Smoke & White)The cat will have 'color as defined for blue cream smoke with or without white on the face. All four paws, belly, and bib are white(Name: Dilute Calico Smoke)The cat is white with patches of blue and shades of cream. Undercoat mainly whiteGrey Maine Coon Color Classes Gray Maine Coon Size The Maine Coon is a remarkably hardy cat breed. Their very large physical form and beautifully thick long mane of hair make them instantly recognizable when they enter a room. Often referred to as the gentle giants of the cat world, the Maine Coon is officially one of the largest domesticated cat breeds in the world, with only the Norwegian Forest Cat being able to rival their large size. There are a few things to consider when it comes to the grey Maine Coon size: Growth RateMale V Female SizeLengthHeightWeight 1. Growth Rate All Maine Coon cat colors grow at a very slow rate, not reaching their full size until their between ages 3-4 years. This is unique in the cat world since most cat breeds reach full maturity by the age of 2 years. 2. Male V Female Size If you intend to buy a grey male Maine Coon kitten, be aware that the male of the species usually grows to be far larger than their female counterparts. Obviously, there will always be exceptions to the rule though, but as a general rule of thumb, you can safely bet that the male will grow larger. 3. Length A key characteristic of the Maine Coon cat breed is their long rectangular-shaped bodies. Their bodies look muscular and long, and should never look out of proportion, or squished. Both male and female grey Maine Coon cats will grow to be extremely long, once fully grown. In fact, you can expect your tiny grey Maine Coon kitten to grow anywhere between 19 - 40 inches (48 - 101 cm) in length. There are always exceptions to the rule though, so you should never rule this possibility out. For example, a famous grey tabby Maine Coon known as 'Stewie' made it into the Guinness World Records because he grew to a staggering 48.5 inches in length! Since this record was listed, two other owners have come forward with their long Maine Coon cats known as 'Omar' and 'Ludo', with the intention of competing for the 'longest cat' title too. Read our complete guide to the Biggest Maine Coon Cats In The World. 4. Height The average male grey Maine Coon will reach between 10-16 inches in height (25-40cm), whilst a female grey Maine Coon is likely to achieve a height ranging from 8-14 inches (20-35cm). 5. Weight Grey Maine Coon kittens grow into heavy full-grown cats! The average male Maine Coon ultimately weighs between 15-25 lbs (6.8-11.3 kg), whereas the female of the species is far lighter, weighing between 8-12 lbs (3.6-5.4 kg). Many owners make the mistake of overfeeding their grey Maine Coon cats because they are worried that their Maine Coon does not weigh enough. Although owners have 'good intentions, they often don't realize exceptionally slow growth rates are characteristic of the Maine Coon cat breed in general. Sadly, this mistake often results in obese Coons. To avoid making this mistake, use this Maine Coon growth chart, to gain a better understanding of the weight your cat should be, versus their age. Grey Maine Coon Price The Maine Coon is a very well-loved and sought-after pedigree cat breed. They have won the hearts of so many with their loving, gentle, fun, and energetic temperament. They are also considered extremely good family pets and are known for being good with young children. These qualities alone have helped to make them one of the most popular cat breeds to own in the United States. Pedigree cats are always more expensive than buying a standard moggy, but exactly how much of a premium do you have to pay to own a grey Maine Coon cat these days? Take a look at the table below to find out: AgeAverage Price ($)Average Price (£)Maine Coon Kitten1000819Maine Coon Cat600474'Show' Maine CoonUp to 2500Up to 1975Rescue Maine CoonVariesVariesMaine Coon Price If you are determined to buy a Maine Coon kitten, the average grey Maine Coon price is a heart-wrenching $1000 (£819). Those willing to take on an older grey Maine Coon, however, can expect to pay a reduced average price of roughly $600 (£474). Maine Coon kittens purchased with the intent of competing in cat shows command an even higher price tag, of up to $2500 (£1975). This is because there are higher costs, effort, and time involved in breeding a 'show cat'. Although Maine Coon cats might appear to be a 'bargain', when compared to the cost of buying a grey Maine Coon kitten, you should always buy with caution. Older cats may have pre-existing health issues that you are not aware of, and treating such conditions at the vets might quickly escalate in large unexpected costs. Where to Buy A Grey Maine Coon Cat There are a large number of places where you can buy a grey Maine Coon kitten or cat. Before making such an expensive purchase, always make sure that the seller is legitimate i.e. are they are registered Maine Coon breeder, whose registration status has been approved within your country of residence? Non-registered breeders should be considered with a level of caution since you cannot be 100% sure of the Maine Coons medical history, true pedigree status, and breeding conditions. The top seven places to buy a grey Maine Coon kitten, or cat, include: Registered BreederFacebookRescue Center / Pet ShelterGumtreeCraigslistBackyard BreedersPet Shop For the ultimate guide to buying a Maine Coon cat, take a look at my article Buying A Maine Coon Cat: Complete Guide. 1. Registered Breeder The best place to purchase a pedigree grey Maine Coon cat is from a registered breeder. This might seem like a pricier option, but you really do get what you pay for. Key benefits include: Peace of mind that your Maine Coon is purebred, rather than of mixed status. Registered breeders screen all potential breeding cats, to make sure they are not carrying genetic defects prone to the breed. This prevents costly medical bills in the future. You can meet kittens parents. Breeders are often Maine Coon fanatics, so can give you helpful advice relating to the breed. You know what you are getting, in terms of Maine Coon behavioral traits. Purebred Maine Coons will have the physical characteristics associated with the breed i.e. lynx-like ear tufts. Peace of mind that Pedigree paperwork is legitimate, not forged If you are not sure where to find registered Maine Coon breeders, take a look at the information below: a) Maine Coon Breeders US If you are looking for Maine Coon breeders in the United States, you can contact the 'Cat Fanciers Association' (CFA) to confirm who your locally registered Maine Coon cat breeders are. b) Maine Coon Breeders UK Buyers in the UK can liaise with the 'Governing Board Of The Cat Fancy', the UK's Premier Registration Body, to locate a registered Maine Coon cat breeder near to them. 2. Facebook A number of registered breeders, particularly those new to the cat breeding world advertise on Facebook, so definitely do not rule this platform out. Some breeders also manage Facebook Pages dedicated to the Maine Coon cat. Such pages offer a really useful platform where Maine Coon owners can ask a variety of questions, and get well-informed answers back from approved breeders. Breeders operating these pages often use their Facebook page as a way of advertising upcoming Maine Coon kittens for sale. Other Facebook pages are run by Maine Coon fanatics who have built a community of people who love the breed. These are great pages to utilize when buying a grey Maine Coon, because users can often recommend local breeders with whom they have had a positive experience. Look out for the following Facebook pages: Maine Coon Cat NationMaine Coon IDMaine Coon UKMaine Coon Cat LoversMaine Coon 3. Rescue Center / Pet Shelter Due to their high price tag, Maine Coons rarely appear in rescue centers or pet shelters. You should not rule this option out in its entirety though, since there is still a chance that a Maine Coon kitten or cat might become available. If this is your preferred route, make sure you speak to your local rescue centers and pet shelters. Make them aware that you are specifically interested in purchasing a grey Maine Coon. Regularly checking in with them on the telephone will keep your name at the front of their memory. It is important to remember that cats bought from such sources often do not come with official Maine Coon paperwork. You can therefore not be certain that you are definitely buying a purebred Maine Coon. Instead, the likelihood is that the Maine Coon is of mixed breed. Reputable rescue shelters available in the United States, and the United Kingdom, include: Maine Coon Rescue: United StatesMaine Coon Adoptions: United StatesCat Chat: United KingdomRSPCA: United Kingdom 4 & 5: Gumtree And Craigslist If you have found the perfect grey Maine Coon kitten on Gumtree, or Craigslist, don't rush into the process. Many crooks often operate on these social media platforms, targeting inexperienced buyers who do not know the warning signs to look for. The crooks play on the buyer's emotional attachment to a kitten that has been advertised and play on their fear of losing out. Before placing a purchase, consider the following questions: Can you meet the kitten's parents? Has the seller asked you for a deposit, before meeting the kitten? Did the seller request you send money outside your country of residence? Does the seller have legitimate pedigree paperwork, to prove the cat's purebred status? Do you trust the seller? Has the seller switched the cat being sold at the last minute? Is the kitten being sold at a 'bargain'? Does the kitten you see match the picture of the cat advertised? Has the seller used Maine Coon stock photos? Can the seller show you a range of different pictures of the kitten, before you visit? Did the seller request you send money outside your country of residence? Does the seller have legitimate pedigree paperwork, to prove the cat's purebred status? Do you trust the seller? Has the seller switched the cat being sold at the last minute? Is the kitten being sold at a 'bargain'? Does the kitten you see match the picture of the cat advertised? Has the seller used Maine Coon stock photos? Can the seller show you a range of different pictures of the kitten, before you visit? Although I heavily advise that buyers avoid such social media platforms, when buying a Maine Coon kitten, it is also important to note that not all advertisers on these platforms are crooks! Instead, many legitimate sellers advertise here, the trouble is finding them. 6. Backyard Breeders With the rise in popularity of the Maine Coon cat and their corresponding expensive price tag, the cat industry is packed with backyard breeders keen to make a quick buck. Backyard breeders do not care for the breed. Instead, they are merely concerned with selling as many Maine Coon kittens as they can, for as much as they can. Kittens from such sources have potentially not received the appropriate medical treatment they need or required vaccinations. Their parents are unlikely to have been screened for health issues commonly linked to the breed, such as hip dysplasia. Backyard breeders tend to not feed their kittens on the high-quality cat foods that the Maine Coon breed needs to live a long and healthy life. 7. Pet Shops Registered Maine Coon breeders rarely sell their treasured kittens to pet shops, because they question the level of care the kittens will receive. It is, therefore, best to avoid such establishments, since the sellers will have limited knowledge on how to care for the Maine Coon breed. Conclusion There is no such thing as a 'grey Maine Coon' because this is not an officially recognized coloring of the Cat Fanciers Association. Instead, the 'grey Maine Coon' is actually referred to as a 'blue Maine Coon'!! Cats that look to be more 'blue' are ultimately those who have more blue colors, tipping, shading running through their fur. Whether the grey Maine Coon is a permitted coloring or not ultimately makes no difference if you find their coloring truly magnificent.

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