Gray Maine Coon: Complete Guide


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 Class
  • All Other Tabby Color Class
  • All Other Tabby & White Colors and Color Class (Including Vans)
  • Bi-Color Color Class (Including Vans)
  • Parti-Color Color Class
  • Parti-Color And White Color Class
  • Shaded And Smoke Color Class
  • Shaded/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).

Color
Requirements
Color
Requirements
Solid 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 leather
All Other Tabbies
Colors Class
(Name: Blue-Silver
Tabby)
Classic, mackerel, ticked:
The cat’s 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:
The 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 allowed a
white trim around the
chin and lip
(Name: Blue Tabby)Classic, mackerel, ticked:
The 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 is 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 is
preferred. The cat may
have white trim around its
chin and lip
All Other Tabby &
White Colors and
Color Class
(Including Vans)
Name: Tabby & White
Classic, mackerel, ticked:
The cat’s coloring is as
defined for a tabby,
with/without white on the
face. Should have white on
bib, 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 colorings
Bi-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 bib
Parti-Color Color
Class (Name:
Blue-Cream)
The cat will be blue with
cream patches, or cream
colors softly intermingled
on their boy and extremities
Parti-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
& White
Cat’s color named blue-cream,
with/without white on their
face. Need to have white on
all four paws, bib, and belly
Shaded &Smoke
Color Class (Name:
Chinchilla Blue Silver)
Cat has a white undercoat.
Sparkling silver appearance,
due to the 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, and 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 the 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 is 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
the cat looks blue. The white
the undercoat shows when
the cat moves. Blue paw pads
and nose leather. Ear tufts
and the frill is white. Mask blue
with a narrow and 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
the pattern of the blue cream.
The 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 face
Shaded 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 the 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 are white
(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)
The cat has patches of blue, and
shades of cream. Their flanks, back,
and the tail will be gently tipped with
shades of cream, and blue. Whilst
the stomach, chest ruff, ear
furnishings and chin can 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 colors 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 ‘colors 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 white
Grey 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:

1. Growth Rate

All Maine Coon cat colors grow at a very slow rate, not reaching their full size until they’re between ages 3-5 years.

This is unique in the cat world since most cat breeds reach full maturity by the age of 2 years. 

You can measure your Maine Coon cat’s speed of growth by creating a Maine Coon growth chart, like this.

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.

Learn more about the male vs female Maine Coon cat in our article.

3. Length

A key characteristic of the Maine Coon cat breed is its 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.

Is your Maine Coon overweight? Click on the link to find out!

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 cats 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 Kitten1000819
Maine Coon Cat600474
‘Show’ Maine CoonUp to 2500Up to 1975
Rescue Maine CoonVariesVaries
Maine Coon Price

If you are determined to buy a Maine Coon kitten, the average grey Maine Coon price is a heart-wrenching $1000 (£819). Keep an eye on the latest Maine Coon pricing, by reading this.

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 vet 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 a registered Maine Coon breeder?

Is the breeder’s registration status approved within your country of residence? And, listed on respected breeder organizations like TICA, etc.

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:

  1. Registered Breeder
  2. Facebook
  3. Rescue Center / Pet Shelter
  4. Gumtree
  5. Craigslist
  6. Backyard Breeders
  7. Pet 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 the 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.

You might also be interested to read our guide to learn more tips on finding a trustworthy Maine Coon cat breeder.

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 Nation
  • Maine Coon ID
  • Maine Coon UK
  • Maine Coon Cat Lovers
  • Maine 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 States
  • Maine Coon Adoptions: United States
  • Cat Chat: United Kingdom
  • RSPCA: 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.

Maine Coon Central

Hello! My name is Katrina Stewardson, and I’m a CRAZY CAT LADY! I've been in love with the Maine Coon cat breed ever since we welcomed an adorable male Maine Coon kitten into our home 10 years ago. We called him 'Pippin', but he also goes by the name ‘Pipsteroo’! Our enormous, kind-hearted cat genuinely thinks he's a dog and has convinced me that cats are Man's True Best Friend! UPDATE: We recently adopted two 4-year-old male Maine Coon cats. They are named Mika and Bali.

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