Orange Maine Coon Facts


The orange Maine Coon is commonly confused with the ginger Maine Coon, due to the similarity in their colorings.

These gorgeous cats are extremely eye-catching, discover more about the red Maine Coon by reading this article.

Orange Maine Coon cats are rare and mistaken for ginger Maine Coons. The Cat Fancier Association breeder color guide does not recognize the Orange Maine Coon color. There are four Red Maine Coon color classes: solid, red tabby, red tabby, and white, bi-color color class.

Keep reading to discover everything there is to know about the Orange Maine Coon cat.

How To Identify An Orange Maine Coon

Maine Coons have become increasingly popular over the last few decades, due to their luscious thick fur, gentle personalities, and large cat proportions.

This highly intelligent cat breed is a real eye-turner and can be found in over 75 different colorings.

If you are an indecisive buyer, this amount of choice may cause you a level of distress!

According to the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), the official color class for the Orange Maine Coon (often called ginger), is actually ‘red’.

The Red Maine Coon (‘Orange’) is included within the following four color classes:

  • Solid Color Class
  • Red Tabby Color Class
  • Red Tabby and White Color Class (including Vans)
  • Bi-Colour Color Class (including Vans)
Which Gender Will You Choose, Human?
Orange Maine Coon

Red Maine Coon Color Class

The table below summarises the color classes that the Orange Maine Coon cat (‘RED’) may be categorized in, and their associated color criteria (source 1):  

Color
Class
Color
Criteria
Solid Color
Class
(Name: RED)
Same color criteria as the red
tabby (above), with or without
white on the face (classic, mackerel,
ticked). To be included in this
coloring, the Maine Coon must have
white markings on all four feet, their
belly, and their bib
Red Tabby
Color Class
(Name: RED
TABBY)
The CFA classifies the red tabby
fur coloring as ‘ground color red
(classic, mackerel, ticked)’. Brick
red nose leather is desirable. Paw
pads ideally, also brick red. The
lip and chin may have a white trim.
Fur markings will be ‘deep, rick red’
Red Tabby and
White Color Class
(including Vans)
(Name: RED
TABBY AND
WHITE)
Same color criteria as the red
tabby (above), with or without
white on the face (classic, mackerel,
ticked). To be included in this
coloring, the Maine Coon must have
white markings on all four feet, their
belly, and their bib
Bi-Color Color
Class (including
Vans)(Name:
RED AND
WHITE)
The fur will be a mixture of red and
white. Both white on the face or no
white on the face is permitted. All
four paws must have white on them.
Bib and belly must contain white
coloring
Red Maine Coon Color Class

Maine Coon Colours Also Include Orange

According to the Cat Fancier Association, a number of other Maine Coon colorings include an orange tinge of color within them, though are not classified within their unique color class.

Take a quick peek at the table below if you would like to buy a Maine Coon with hints of orange in its fur.

Rather, than the more Orange Maine Coon colorings characteristic of the ‘Red Maine Coon’ classifications above (source 1).

Color
Class
Color
Criteria
Brown Patched
Tabby Colour Class
(Name: Brown
Patched Tabby)
Fur is ‘ground color brilliant
coppery brown’ (classic,
mackerel, ticked). Markings
dense black with patches
of red. Nose leather and
paw pads should be brown,
though black or brick red
are ideal
Silver Patched
Tabby Class
(Name: Silver
Patched Tabby)
All Other Tabby
Color Class
(Name: Cameo
Tabby)
Parti-color
Color
Class
(Name:
Tortoiseshell)
The fur will be black, with
patches of red or softly
intermingled areas of red
on both the body and the
extremities. The CFA
permits the presence of
several shades of red.
Parti-color
Color
Class
(Name:
Tortoiseshell)
The undercoat must be white
with a mantle of red tipping
shading down the sides, tail,
and face. The face and legs
have deeper shading than
other parts of the body. The
the cat will have a white chin,
ear furnishings, stomach,
and chest (ruff). The fur is
visibly redder than the
shell cameo color above.
Rose nose leather, paw pads,
and rims of eyes
Parti-Colour and
White Colour Class
(Name: Calico –
Including Vans)
Should be white with
un-brindled patches of
red and black. Underparts
will be predominantly white
Shaded & Smoke
Color Class
(Name: Shell
Cameo)
Known as the red chinchilla.
The undercoat will be white.
The cat’s coat on the back,
flanks, head, and tail should
be tipped with red, creating
a sparkling appearance,
characteristic of this coloring.
Face and legs can be lightly
shaded with tipping. The chin,
stomach, ear tufts, and must
be white. Nose leather, paw
pads and rims of the eyes are
rose
Shaded & Smoke
Color Class
(Name:
Shaded Cameo –
red shaded)
The undercoat is white. The
coat on the flanks, tail, and
back is slightly tipped with
black, and shades of red.
Face and legs may be lightly
shaded with tipping. The cat
will have a white chin,
furnishings, ears stomach,
and chest (ruff), which might
be very lightly tipped with
shading. Nose leather, paw
pads and rims of eyes are
rose to black. Can also be
patched.
Shaded & Smoke
Color Class
(Name: Shell
Tortoiseshell)
The cat’s undercoat is white,
deeply tipped with black. You
will notice patches of red or
softly intermingled areas of
red on both the extremities
and the body. A range of
different shades of red is
accepted. If stood still, the
the cat looks tortoiseshell.
When moving, the cat’s white
undercoat is clear. Face and
ears have a tortoiseshell
pattern with a narrow band
of white at the base of the
hairs next to the skin, only
noticeable when you part
the fur. Ear tufts and ruff are
white. It is desirable for
the cat to have a ‘blaze of
red or cream on face’
Shaded & Smoke
Color Class
(Name: Shaded
Tortoiseshell)
White undercoat. Mantle
of black and red shading
down the sides, face, and
tail. The face and legs may
be a deeper shading than
the rest of the body. Chin,
stomach, chest (ruff), and
ear furnishings can be white
to lightly tipped. This color
should be far darker than
the shell tortoiseshell detailed
above. Rose to black nose
leather, rims of eyes, and
paw pads. Can be patched.
Shaded & Smoke
Color Class
(Name:
Cameo Smoke –
red smoke)
The undercoat is white,
deeply tipped with red. If the
cat is standing still, it will look
red. When the cat is moving,
their white undercoat is very
clear. Points and mask red
with a narrow band of white
at the base of hairs next to
the skin which may be seen
only when fur is parted. Rose
nose leather, paw pads, and
rims of eyes.
Shaded &
Smoke
Color Class
(Name: Tortie
Smoke)
Same color as a shaded
cameo. Face can be with
or without white coloring
* All four paws, belly, and
bib must include white
Shaded/Smoke
&
White Colour
Class (including vans)
– (Name: Shell Cameo
and White)
Commonly known as the
red chinchilla. Coloring is
the same as Shell Cameo.
White may or may not be
on the cat’s face. All four
paws, belly, and bib must
have white on them
Shaded/Smoke &
White Colour
Class (including vans)
– (Name:
Shaded Cameo –
red shaded & white)
White, with unbridled
patches of black and
shades of red. The cat’s
coat on their flanks, back,
and the tail should be slightly
tipped with black and
shades of red. Face and
legs can be softly shaded
with tipping. The cat’s ear
furnishings, chin, chest
(ruff), and stomach can
be white to very softly
tipped with shading. The
underparts of the cat
should be predominantly
white
Shaded/Smoke &
White Colour Class
(including vans) –
(Name: Shell Calico)
White, with unbridled
patches of black and
shades of red. The cat’s
coat on their flanks, back,
and tail should be slightly
tipped with black and
shades of red. Face and
legs can be softly shaded
with tipping. The cat’s ear
furnishings, chin, chest
(ruff), and stomach can
be white to very softly
tipped with shading. The
underparts of the cat
should be predominantly
white
Shaded/Smoke &
White Colour
Class (including
vans) – (Name:
Shaded Calico)
White with unbridled
patches of black and shades
of red. The cat should have
a mantle of red and black
shading down the tail, sides,
and face. Deeper shading
on the face and legs, then
the rest of the cat’s body.
Ear furnishings, chin, chest
(ruff) and stomach might be
white, and lightly tipped.
This color is far darker than
the shell calico. Underparts
of the cat are mainly white
Shaded/Smoke
& White Colour Class
(including vans) –
Name: Calico Smoke
White with unbridled patches
of black and shades of red.
Black and red patches to have
a white undercoat. The
underparts of a cat are
predominantly white
Red Maine Coon Color Classes

Orange Maine Coon Characteristics

The orange Maine Coon characteristics are no different from that of the other Maine Coon colors. However, some owners do claim their orange Maine Coons are definitely more naughty!

Whether this is true or not, we cannot say, since there is no proof to support such statements.

If you have purchased a purebred orange Maine Coon, you should expect them to show the following characteristics:

  • Overly affectionate
  • Loyal
  • Gentle
  • Good with other house pets
  • Playful
  • Good hunters
  • Friendly
  • High Intelligent
  • Love Water

Orange Maine Coons make great family pets and are good around young children because they are not prone to an aggressive nature.

a. Overly Affectionate

Maine Coons are known for being crazily affectionate towards their owners. Sometimes they just cannot help, but force their affection on you even if you don’t want it!!

This is a terribly endearing quality of the Maine Coon breed.

b. Loyal

The Maine Coon is one of the most loyal cat breeds, ever. They love their human families and rarely stray from their owner’s side.

In fact, if they could spend every waking moment by your side, they more than likely would.

They are highly sociable and will flourish if they are able to spend ample time with their owners.

c. Gentle

Their soft nature has won them the nickname ‘gentle giants’.

These large cats are anything but aggressive in nature and rarely hiss or spits.

With such a laid-back temperament, it often seems like nothing annoys them!

d. Good With Other House Pets

Their laidback characteristic makes them one of the best cats to introduce into your home if you already have another animal living with you.

Their natural instinct is to make friends with other animals, so it is unlikely they would cause issues with other pets.

e. Playful

Maine Coons are known for their playful nature. They are naturally inquisitive and enjoy exploring and playing for the majority of their lives.

They love playing with toys, of which these are their favorite.

f. Good Hunters

Maine Coons are notoriously good hunters, so you should expect a few animals ‘presents’ during their lifetime.

Although the sight of a dead animal may make you want to wretch, it is important to understand that your Coon really does just want to show their love for you.

g. Friendly

If you own a male Maine Coon, you should expect to see them acting considerably more friendly to strangers than their female counterparts.

This is not because the female Maine Coons are less friendly, but, actually, because they are generally more aloof and wary of newcomers.

In time, the female Coon will ‘warm up’.

h. Highly Intelligent

The Maine Coon cat breed is known for being immensely intelligent.

They can be taught simple tricks and commands, such as ‘fetch the ball’, or ‘no’.

I. Love Water

Maine Coons are weirdly obsessed with water, they literally love it!

They can literally spend long periods of time playing with water i.e. patting it out of the water bowl.

Coons are also brilliant swimmers, and many owners report their Maine Coon cats absolutely love to make a splash in the bath!

Orange Maine Coon Size

Maine Coons are the largest domesticated cat in the world, apart from the Norwegian Forest Cat.

Their true lineage remains a mystery, even to this day. Despite this, many folklores still advocate two Maine Coon size theories.

The first was that large semi-wild ship cats mated with short-haired domestic cats when allowed off the Viking Ships.

The second idea sees Marie Antoinette’s treasured large Angora cats as the answer, believing that these pets reached Wiscasset in Maine, then mated with the local short-haired domestic cats.

Whatever the truth, you should expect your Orange Maine Coon to grow into a very large cat, reaching anywhere up to 40 inches in length!

Below we discuss the Maine Coon size in greater detail, covering the following areas:

a) Male Orange Maine Coon Size

To give you a better idea of the average Orange Maine Coons full-grown likely weight, height, and length, take a look at the tables below.

Length
(inches)
Height
(inches)
Weight
(lbs)
19-4010-1615-25
Orange Maine Coon Size
Length
(cm)
Height
(cm)
Weight
(kg)
48-10125-406.8-11.3
Orange Maine Coon Size

b) Female Orange Maine Coon Size

The tables below show the average female Maine Coon size: 

Length
(inches)
Height
(inches)
Weight
(lbs)
19-408-148-12
Average Female Maine Coon Size
Length
(cm)
Height
(cm)
Weight
(kg)
48-10120-353.6-5.4
Average Female Maine Coon Size

c) Orange Maine Coon Weight

When deciding if you would prefer a male or female Maine Coon, keep in mind that the male of the breed often grows far larger than their female counterparts.

In fact, you can expect your male Coon to weigh a whopping 15-25 lbs once fully grown! That’s a seriously heavy cat! The female on the other hand weighs an average of 8-12 lbs.

Maine Coons are known for being very slow growers, often not reaching their full size until between 3-4 years old. This makes them unique in the cat world because most other cat breeds reach full size in 2 years!

It is important to remember this point so that you do not overfeed your Maine Coon when they appear not to have reached average Maine Coon sizes.

Obesity is commonly linked to the Maine Coon cat breed, so you mustn’t overfeed them.

d) Orange Maine Coon Length

A key characteristic of the Maine Coon cat breed is its huge length. They should have very long rectangular bodies, and not look squished in proportions, but instead muscular and long.

The average male and female Maine Coon ranges between 19-40 inches in length.

There are always exceptions to the rule though, for example, one Orange Maine Coon, named ‘Stewie’ became famous for his length.

He even made it into the Guinness World Record Books for being ‘the longest cat’, after reaching a staggering 48.5 inches in length!! WOW!!

In recent years, this record is now being challenged by two potentially longer Maine Coons, named ‘Ludo’ and ‘Omar’.

e) Orange Maine Coon Height

Although no Orange Maine Coon has set any record for being the ‘tallest cat’ (yet!), you can still expect your ‘gentle giant’ to reach between an average of 10-16 inches:

  • If male 8-14 inches
  • If female 20-35cm

How Much Does An Orange Maine Coon Cost?

If you are keen on owning an orange-colored Maine Coon, expect to be paying top dollar for one. This particular cat breed is massively popular and definitely doesn’t come cheap.

The table below quickly summarises the cost of an Orange Maine Coon:

AgeAverage
Cost
Kitten
<9 months
$1000
(£819)
Cat
>9 months
$600
(£471)
Senior Cat$600
(£471)
Orange Maine Coon Cost

How Much Do Premium Maine Coon Cats Cost?

Those interested in breeding Orange Maine Coon cats should expect to pay up to $2000 (£1580) for a Maine Coon kitten, or cat.

These cats are more expensive since they have not been spayed or neutered. They should also have been screened for genetic defects, common to the Maine Coon breed.

Common health issues include:

Finally, should you wish to buy an Orange Maine Coon cat for show competitions, you are likely to pay anywhere up to $2500 (£1975) per kitten or cat.

These cats will be the best examples of the Maine Coon cat breed, with perfect characteristics, and no genetic defects.

Where To Find ‘Cheaper’ Maine Coons

a) Rescue Centres

Many potential owners capable of giving one of these special pedigree cats an amazing, loving home, are often discouraged when they see the high Maine Coon cost.

Before you resign yourself to never being able to afford an orange Maine Coon, consider contacting your local rescue centers, and animal shelters.

Make your desires for an orange Maine Coon known to them, and check in with them regularly so that they know you are still interested.

If you are extremely lucky, you might be able to adopt a Maine Coon from one of these establishments, at a ‘bargain’ price, where you only cover the cost of the rejected kitten/cat board and medical care.

b) Mixed or Purebred Maine Coons

If you are keen to buy a Maine Coon, and don’t mind whether they are purebred, consider buying a Maine Coon mix at a substantially cheaper price.

Mixed Maine Coon kittens or cats can make wonderful pets.

Purebred Maine Coons are famous for many characteristics, including their large size, gentle nature, loyalty, affectionate nature, and highly intelligent qualities.

Maine Coon mixes can be found in various different colors, and may even look and act just like a purebred Maine Coon cat.

However, it is important to remember that when buying a Maine Coon mix, the common purebred qualities cannot be guaranteed.

So, if you’re specifically keen that your orange Maine Coon cat has a particular characteristic, such as being laid back with other household pets, it is best if you only buy a purebred Maine Coon.

Where To Find Orange Maine Coon Kittens For Sale

The internet is so littered with various different kittens for sale, that choosing a Maine Coon kitten can be a confusing matter, especially considering their expensive price tag.

Put simply, no one wants to get it wrong, and no one wants to be played by the various crooks lying in wait for unsuspecting Maine Coon cat buyers.

So, what should you do? And, where can you find orange Maine Coon kittens for sale?

For the ultimate guide to buying a Maine Coon cat, check out my article “Buying A Maine Coon Cat: Complete Guide“.

For now, though, let’s cover the buying basics, and help you start your journey to owning an orange Maine Coon kitten.

You will find Orange Maine Coon kittens advertised in the following locations:

Before you start Googling, get clued up on the possible pitfalls that some of these purchasing channels pose, by reading our quick summary below.

1. Registered Maine Coon Breeders

First, and foremost, the BEST place to buy an orange Maine Coon kitten (or cat) is from a registered Maine Coon breeder.

Yes, you may pay a premium for this, but can confidently say that the kitten you purchase has been vetted for known health issues.

Maine Coon breeders are also known for adoring this special cat breed, so you can be confident that the cat has been treated well, had flea drops applied, and has been appropriately vaccinated.

The kitten will also come with legitimate pedigree status and purebred Maine Coon paperwork. 

Use the following links to locate your local registered Maine Coon cat breeder:

  • United States: The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) can provide you with a list of your locally registered cat breeders.
  • United Kingdom: Speak to the Governing Board Of The Cat Fancy (the UK’s Premier Registration Body), to find registered breeders near you. 

2. Facebook

Although this is not the No.1 place to buy your orange Maine Coon kitten, Facebook is still a valid place to search for Maine Coon kittens.

Though, please exercise a level of caution when doing so.

IMPORTANT:

  • NEVER send money (deposit or full payment for Maine Coon kitten) outside of your country of residence, if requested by the seller.
  • NEVER hand over any cash, or make any financial deposits until you have physically seen and held the advertised kitten.

Most businesses have an online presence these days, and that goes for Maine Coon sellers too.

Check out the sellers on Facebook to get a gut feel for what type of business they are, and whether they are legitimate.

Ask yourself whether the Facebook Page appears knowledgeable on the subject of Maine Coons?

Do they offer help and guidance to other Facebook users, who have questions relating to the Maine Coon cat breed i.e. cat health?

Does the Maine Coon seller have good reviews on Google?

Check out the following Maine Coon Facebook pages, where you can raise any questions you have in relation to this specific cat breed.

They may also be able to guide you toward recommended Maine Coon breeders in your locality:

  • Maine Coon Cat Nation
  • Maine Coon ID
  • Maine Coon UK
  • Maine Coon Cat Lovers
  • Maine Coon

3. Rescue Centre / Animal Shelter

Rescue centers do an amazing job of looking after abandoned cats, from all cat breeds. They care for animals until new owners can be found.

Whilst under their care cats the medical assistance they need, plus food to eat, human love and affection, and a warm safe place to sleep. 

As sad as it is, irresponsible pet owners will always exist.

If you keep in regular contact with these types of organizations and express a particular interest in adopting a Maine Coon kitten or cat, your efforts may ultimately prove fruitful, should a Maine Coon get rescued. 

If you live in the United States or the United Kingdom, here are a few well-known reputable rescue shelters that you could speak to:

  • Maine Coon Rescue: United States
  • Maine Coon Adoptions: United States
  • Cat Chat: United Kingdom
  • RSPCA: United Kingdom

4. Gumtree / Craigslist

Many orange Maine Coon kittens are sold on sites like Gumtree, and Craigslist.

Despite advertisements often looking genuine, you should avoid purchasing from such platforms, due to the higher-than-average number of backyard breeders that frequent them.

5. Pet Shops

You should also avoid purchasing your orange Maine Coon from a pet shop.

The Maine Coon is a specialty bread that requires a certain level of care, and treatment i.e. a high level of human interaction and contact.

It is unlikely that a pet shop would be able to offer the amount of care required to keep a Maine Coon happy, and content.

Registered breeders are aware of this issue, so very rarely allow pet shops to sell their precious kittens.

How Common Are Orange Maine Coons?

If you have been studying the Maine Coon breed, you will probably have come across many different orange Maine Coon cats.

This coloring is quite common since the gene for the orange color is located within the X chromosome. Thus, if a cat with this orange gene breeds, it is highly likely that its kittens will also be orange. 

Those interested in the orange Maine Coon genetics might also be interested to learn that an allele is a variant form of a gene. It is either ‘O’ for orange, or ‘o’ for non-orange.

The male Coon only has one X chromosome, therefore, if they are carriers of the orange gene with the ‘O’ allele, it is inevitable that they will have an orange coloring.

However, those carrying the orange gene, but with the ‘o’ allele will actually have fur that is brown or black!

Those particularly keen to buy a female orange Maine Coon may be disappointed because, from each cat litter, you only get 1 in 5 female orange Maine Coons.

This is because the gene for the orange color is found in the X chromosome, which mainly produces male offspring. 

Genetically, the female orange Maine Coon is less common, since the females have two X chromosomes. If the female is carrying the orange gene, her alleles will be either (source 1).

  • ‘OO’ – This combination results in the cat’s fur being orange
  • ‘oo’ – The cat’s fur will be brown or black
  • ‘Oo’ Fur will have a tortoiseshell appearance

Conclusion

Maine Coons come in a wide range of colors, partially due to breeders deliberately breeding certain shades, whereas other colors are the result of more natural unions between different cats.

If we look at the orange Maine Coon, in particular, we quickly see that there are multiple types of ‘orange’ coloring to choose from, from smokey to striped, to tabby markings.

Many do have freckles on their face though, which add to their beauty.

All orange Maine Coon fur is a combination of red and yellow.

So, if you are hoping to find a solid orange Coon, you will quickly realize that they are somewhat rare since most orange Maine Coons have some form of markings over their bodies.

The Orange Maine Coon officially falls under the ‘red’ classification. However, I’m sure no one will hold it against you if you call them ‘orange’ or ‘ginger’!

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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