Do grey Maine Coons make good pets? How common are grey Maine Coon cats? How adorable are blue Maine Coon Kittens? (The answer is VERY). This guide covers all you need to know about the popular Maine Coon colouring.
The Grey Maine Coon – Everything you need to know
Although we may be biased on this site to a ginger Maine Coon, you cannot deny the majestic beauty of a grey Maine coon cat.
Officially known as the ‘Blue Maine Coon’ by the Cat Fanciers’ association, like many other Maine Coon variations, their colours is just one of seventy-five different colour combinations which are recognised as ‘official’.
According to the Cat Fanciers Association, the blue/grey Maine Coon is included within the following colour categories:
- Solid Colour Class
- All Other Tabby Colour Class
- All Other Tabby & White Colours and Colour Class
- Bi-Color Colour Class
- Parti-Colour Colour Class
- Parti-Colour And White Colour Class
- Shaded And Smoke Colour Class (not to be confused with a Black Smoke Maine Coon)
- Shaded/Smoke And White Colour Class
In everyday terms, this means you can find them in solid, bi-colour (grey and white Maine coons are very popular!) and variations of tabby, such as mackerel/striped, blotched and ticked. With all colourings, they seem to appear/develop more as the kitten grows.
The fur of a Maine Coon will always be medium to long in length and requires a lot of grooming, therefore you should take this into consideration when deciding if this breed is right for you.
Find the best brushes for long-haired cats.
Alongside their magnificent coat and adorable tufty ears, Maine Coon cats are known for their striking, bold eyes, which for grey breeds often are a blue or green colouring or at times even amber.
How big to Maine Coon cats grow?
Typically, a fully grown Maine Coon cat will be between 7-9kg, with males being bigger than females.
Looking at them lengthways, from nose to tail at full growth they can be up to one metre long!
To accommodate their giant size you will need to purchase a specially designed cat tree for large cats.
When deciding if a Maine Coon cats are right for you, it is important to take their adult size into consideration. While they can be outdoor cats, main choose to keep them as indoor-only, therefore you should ensure you have enough room to accommodate their needs (and available space for cat zoomies!).
On average, Maine Coons live between 12-14 years.
Are grey Maine Coons’ rare?
Out of all the available Maine Coon colours, grey/blue are seen to be the most popular and therefore relatively easy to purchase. While there does not appear, at present, to be any dedicated Maine Coon Rescue charities in the UK, you still may be able to adopt an older Maine Coon cat looking for a forever home.
As colouring is all down to breeding, many breeders will tend to breed ‘certain colours’ and will become known as reputable breeders for that particular colour of Maine Coon.
Always be sure to research cat breeders and receive recommendations instead of simply buying a cat from anyone. Reputable and respected breeders will always allow you to see the kittens with their mum and will be able to trace the cat’s family line. Registered Maine Coon kittens will also be sold with an official certificate of proof.
For more information: How much does a Maine Coon cat cost?
The Grey Maine Coon Kitten
Like all kittens, Blue Maine Coon kittens are mischievous and require a lot of attention, which is why some people prefer to adopt older cats.
Despite being bundles of endless energy they extremely fun to be around and make great companions for children. Bringing up a kitten alongside a child can teach great life skills and instil responsibility from a young age in a kid.
The Maine Coon personality
Maine Coons are gentle giants, making them a great option for a family cat.
They are known as the ‘dog of the cat world’ due to their size being typically larger than other cat breeds. They also display loyalty traits, much like a dog would.
Although affectionate they are fairly independent – not demanding and do not tend to be too vocal, like other breeds such as the Siamese.
Like most cat breeds, they love to hunt and chase – so make sure you have lots of toys around the house especially when they will be spending long amounts of time on their own.
More information: The most engaging Maine Coon cat toys
Does the colour of a Maine Coon decide the personality?
There are many old wives’ tales which suggest the colouring of a cat dictates their personality and to some degree, after 10 years of working with cats, I do believe this is true, however, there is not actually a science behind this.
A cat’s personality can very much be a product of their environment during their socialisation period (2-8 weeks of age), another reason why it is incredibly important to ensure you buy from a reputable breeder. To ensure a confident cat, they will need to be well socialised and exposed to various different noises and situations during this key period of kittenhood.
Are grey Maine Coon cats predisposed to any diseases?
Like all colours of Maine Coon, blue Maine Coons are predisposed to certain diseases – a type of heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hip dysplasia and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). If you have any concerns regarding this, you should contact your Veterinary Surgery. It is also advisable to purchase and maintain good pet insurance from a young age.
This does not mean the cat will 100% get this disease within their lifetime, it is just something to be aware of. All most all pedigree breeds are predisposed to certain diseases.
The history of the Maine Coon cat
The Maine Coon cat is considered the only longhair breed native to the United States.
It is believed the breed was introduced by seamen who sailed into New England. The cats they carried on their ships most likely left the ship either permanently or just for a little shore leave, bred with the existing native cats, and ultimately created a breed of their own.
What should I call my grey cat?
Choosing the perfect name for your cat can be difficult but we have plenty of options to help you out:
- Pokemon Cat Names
- Disney Cat Name Inspiration
- Travel inspired pet names
- Alcohol inspired cat names
- Japan-inspired cat names
Facts about Maine Coons
- The Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat breed.
- It is the only long-haired breed native to the United States of America.
- A beautiful grey Maine Coon cat stared in the Harry Potter film series. Mrs Norris was the Maine Coon companion to the castle’s caretaker, Argus Filch.
- They are a talkative breed. All cats like to chat but Maine Coons, in particular, like to make their presence known through various trills and chirps as well as the standard meows.
- It is said that Maine Coon cats LOVE water, so be sure to create some super fun water-based homemade toys for your Maine Coon kitten.
