The Silver Maine Coon Cat

Silver Maine Coon cats are large and sociable, with a ruff of fur across their chest and a thick uneven two-layered coat with a silver or “smoke” undercoat.

They have a strong bone structure and come in various color patterns, including silver, white, brown, blue, black, tabby, and red.

Colors And Patterns

Silver Maine Coons come in several color variations and patterns, each with its unique look:

1. Silver Tabby (Classic, Mackerel, Or Ticked)

• Silver Classic Tabby – Swirling marbled patterns on a silver base.
• Silver Mackerel Tabby – Vertical stripes running along the body like a tiger.
• Silver Ticked Tabby – Agouti hairs (banded hairs) with a silvery sheen and minimal striping.

2. Shaded Silver

• Appears lighter than silver tabbies, with the darker color concentrated on the back, face, and tail, while the undercoat is nearly white.

3. Smoke Silver

• A solid-colored Maine Coon with a white undercoat creates a smoky, faded effect when the fur moves.
• Black Smoke is the most common, but it also exists in Blue Smoke (dilute black), Cream Smoke, and Red Smoke variations.

4. Silver Tortie (Tortoiseshell) & Silver Torbie (Tortie + Tabby)

• Silver Tortie – A mix of silver, black, and red patches (only in females).
• Silver Torbie – A blend of silver tabby markings with tortoiseshell patches.

Genetics

The silver color in Maine Coons is created by the Inhibitor gene (I), which affects pigmentation in the fur.

Inhibitor Gene (I):

This gene prevents pigment from developing at the base of the hair shaft, making the undercoat appear white or silvery instead of the usual warm tones found in non-silver cats.

Without this gene, the cat would just be a standard tabby or solid-colored Maine Coon.

Tabby Gene (T)

Most Silver Maine Coons have tabby patterns because the silver gene works best on tabby coats, enhancing their contrast.

Dilution Gene (d) [Optional]

This gene can soften black into blue, creating a Blue Silver Tabby or Blue Smoke Maine Coon.

Size

Maine Coons are one of the largest domesticated cat breeds, often dwarfing regular house cats. Their impressive size is one of their most well-known traits, making them stand out among feline companions.

Weight

• Males: 18–22 lbs (8–10 kg)
• Females: 12–15 lbs (5.4–6.8 kg)

Male Maine Coons are significantly heavier than females, with some even surpassing the 22 lb mark, especially if they are larger-boned or overweight.

Length

Maine Coons can reach up to 40 inches (101 cm) from nose to tail tip, making them one of the longest domestic cats in the world. This includes their long, bushy tails, which alone can measure 12–18 inches (30–46 cm).

Height

These gentle giants stand 10–16 inches (25–40 cm) tall at the shoulder, giving them a towering presence compared to average house cats.

Price

The price of a pure silver Maine Coon kitten starts at $1000 but can reach as high as $2500 if you are looking to purchase a silver Maine Coon show-level kitten.

While these prices may seem absurd, keep in mind that breeding Maine Coon cats and raising healthy Maine Coon kittens isn’t easy.

Breeding Maine Coon kittens can also be an expensive exercise.

Famous Cats

Here are some famous silver Maine Coon cats, that you might have heard of:

1. Cygnus Regulus Powers

Cygnus Regulus Powers was a Maine Coon cat famous for holding the Guinness World Record for the longest domestic cat tail.

His tail measured 17.58 inches (44.66 cm), making it the longest recorded tail on a pet cat.

Cygnus lived with his owners in Michigan alongside another record-breaking feline, Arcturus Aldebaran Powers, the tallest domestic cat.

Tragically, both cats passed away in a house fire in 2017, but Cygnus remains legendary for his extraordinary tail length.

2. Stewie

Stewie the Maine Coon (full name: Mymains Stewart Gilligan) was a Guinness World Record holder for being the longest domestic cat ever recorded, measuring 48.5 inches (123 cm) from nose to tail tip.

Known for his gentle and affectionate nature, Stewie was also a certified therapy cat. He sadly passed away in 2013 from cancer but remains one of the most famous Maine Coons in history.

Breeders

Silver Maine Coons are only rare when occurring naturally. However, you can find them easily from registered Maine Coon breeders in your country.

Here is a full list of registered Maine Coon breeders in the United States.