Maine Coon Coat, Color & Pattern Guide

Maine Coons have some of the most diverse and striking coats in the cat world. Their long, flowing fur, dense undercoat, and dramatic patterns come from a mix of natural evolution and breed-specific genetics.

This hub page introduces owners to how Maine Coon coat colors and patterns work, why certain colors are more common than others, and what to expect as your cat grows.

Each section gives a clear overview, followed by links to deeper articles for owners who want more detail.

Understanding Maine Coon Coat Types

Maine Coons have a semi-longhaired double coat that protects them from cold climates. The topcoat is glossy and water-repellent, while the undercoat is soft and insulating.

Although all Maine Coons share this general structure, each cat’s coat length, fullness, and texture vary depending on:

• Genetics
• Season
• Age

Young cats often have a finer, less dramatic coat that becomes fuller between 2-4 years old.

Learn more here:
• Maine Coon Fur Growth
• Dangerous Causes Of Maine Coon Hair Loss
• 7 Causes Of Maine Coon Tail Thinning

Official Maine Coon Coat Colors

There are more than 74 officially recognised Maine Coon coat colors, grouped into large families:

• Solid colors
• Tabbies (classic, mackerel, ticked)
• Smoke & shaded coats
• Tortoiseshell & torbie
• Bi-color and parti-color coats

These broad categories cover everything from black, blue, white, and red to silver, cameo, cream, and shaded variations.

Detailed color guides:
• Black Maine Coon Cats: Breed, Size, Temperament
• Blue Maine Coon Guide
• The White Maine Coon’s Unexpected Secret
• Life With An Orange Maine Coon
• What Makes The Silver Maine Coon So Unusual?
• Cream Maine Coons: Unveiling The Feline Enchantment

Tabby Patterns In Maine Coons

Most Maine Coons are tabby because the “agouti” gene is dominant in cats. Tabby patterns come in:

• Classic tabby (bold swirls)
• Mackerel tabby (striped)
• Ticked tabby (salt-and-pepper appearance)

Tabby Maine Coons often have an “M” marking on the forehead and striking facial stripes. Eye-rim lining and tail rings are particularly noticeable on this breed because of its long fur.

Read more here:
• Tabby Maine Coon: Complete Guide
• Why Maine Coons Have An ‘M’ On Their Forehead

Smoke, Shaded & Tipped Maine Coons

Smoke and shaded coats are created when only the tips of the hair shaft are pigmented, leaving the base pale.

These coats shift dramatically depending on whether the cat is moving, standing in sunlight, or fluffed. Smoke and shaded Maine Coons often look different from every angle.

Explore these pages:
• The Shaded Maine Coon Cat
• The Rare Smoke Maine Coon

Tortoiseshell (Tortie) & Torbie Coats

Torties have black and orange combinations.

Torbies mix tortoiseshell with tabby striping. These patterns are almost always female, because the genetics require two X chromosomes.

Good further reading:
• The Calico Maine Coon Guide
• Surprising Truths About Tuxedo Maine Coons

Bi-Color & Parti-Color Maine Coons

Bi-colors combine white with any other color, such as black-and-white or blue-and-white. The amount of white varies depending on spotting genes.

Parti-colors are tortoiseshell or torbie cats with white patches.

Learn more here:
• Surprising Truths About Tuxedo Maine Coons
• Black & White Maine Coon: Types, Size & Secrets

Rare & Unusual Maine Coon Colors

Some colors occur far less often in breeding lines, including:

• Smoke with white
• Shaded silver
• Cameo or red smoke
• Shaded tortoiseshell
• Odd combinations caused by recessive genes

These are genetically complex and appear only when both parents carry the necessary alleles.

See examples here:
• 21 Famous Maine Coons That Made History
• Stunning Maine Coon Cat Pictures

Why Maine Coon Kittens Change Color

Many Maine Coon kittens do not stay the same color they were born.

Common changes include:

• Darkening or lightening of the base coat
• Silver or smoke tipping developing over time
• Tabby patterns become more defined with age
• Ruff, britches, and tail fluff expanding

These changes are normal and often continue until 2-3 years of age.

Read more:
• Why Your Maine Coon Kitten’s Fur Keeps Changing – And When To Worry

Genetics Behind Maine Coon Colors (Simplified Overview)

Maine Coon coat color is determined by combinations of:

• Agouti gene (A/a) – tabby vs solid
• Dilution gene (D/d) – black → blue, red → cream
• Silver inhibitor gene (I/i) – smoke and shaded coats
• White spotting (S/s) – bicolor and tuxedo
• O gene (O/o) – red, cream, tortie patterns
• Longhair gene (ll) – all Maine Coons are longhaired

Breeders select pairings carefully to produce predictable coat outcomes.

More genetic insights here:
• Decode Your Maine Coon’s Coat: The Hidden Color Codes Breeders Use

Coat Maintenance & Grooming By Color Type

Some coat types require more maintenance than others:

• Solid black & blue coats: show dust and dander more easily.
• Silver & smoke coats: need regular brushing to maintain shine.
• White coats: prone to staining around the eyes and paws.
• Long ruffs & trousers: mat faster during shedding seasons.

For grooming help:
• 9 Useful Maine Coon Grooming Tips
• 5 Brushes For Maine Coons That Work!
• 7 Proven Strategies To Prevent Matted Fur In Maine Coons

FAQ

Do Maine Coon coat colors change over time?
Yes – many kittens lighten or darken as they mature, especially silvers, smoke cats, and reds.

What is the rarest Maine Coon color?
Shaded silver, cameo, and smoke tortoiseshells are among the rarest.

How many Maine Coon color combinations exist?
There are over 84 recognised color and pattern combinations.

Does color affect personality?
No – color does not determine temperament, though some patterns have anecdotal associations.