The Maine Coon, with its black coat, stands out among its relatives. This is determined by its spectacular and mystical appearance, which fascinates animal lovers. The price category of such babies is higher than that of other colors. However, it pays off, since the nature of the pets is gentle and friendly. The cat requires attentive attention from the owner, for which he pays with boundless love and loyalty.
Description and features of an exotic feline
Maine Coon varieties depending on patterns
The classic version of the animal has a uniform black shade of fur without additional colors. However, there are often representatives of the breed that have a variety of patterns, clearly visible on the face and neck. According to the type of these inclusions, there are the following Maine Coons:
- Brindle. Vertical stripes run along the surface of the animal's entire body, as well as its tail and paws.
- Marble. Dark stains are located on the sides of the pet, which resembles a marble structure.
- Spotted. Stripes are clearly visible on the cat's fur.
Black and white Maine Coon
Animals are classified according to the location of inclusions of a different color. In accordance with this factor, the following are distinguished:
Maine Coons are usually classified according to the factor of inclusions in the color of a different color, for example, Van - only the head and tail are black.
- Medallion. The spot is located on the animal's chest, like a precious decoration.
- Gloves. The pigmentation affected only the paws.
- Bicolor. Uniform ratio of two colors throughout the pet's body.
- The tuxedo. A light-colored “shirt front”, usually located on the sternum, protrudes in combination with gloves.
- Harlequin. The initial undertone of the fur is white, on which there are splashes of black.
- Wang. The entire skin is white, except for the head and tail.
- Black smoke. The base of the hairs is white and the end is black. There are no stripes or stains on the Maine Coon's body.
Black Maine Coons often suffer from polydactyly, so their paws can have 6 toes.
EMS color code
To simplify the names when entering data into documents, the EMS (Easy Mind System) coding system was adopted.
Maine Coon (MC) cats are classified as semi-longhair (SLH – Semilonghair, group 2).
There are two genetic colors in Maine Coon cats: black and red. The rest of the variety of colors are shades or lightening of the main ones. In fact, the favorite white shades are not a color - it is simply the absence of a color pigment.
When determining color, three factors are taken into account:
- Coat color
- White spot
- Type of drawing
Coat color is indicated in Latin letters:
- n – black
- a – blue
- d – red
- e – cream
- f – black tortoiseshell
- g – blue-cream tortoiseshell
- w – white
- s – silver or smoke (with a pattern – silver, without a pattern – smoky)
- y – not officially recognized in the breed – gold
White spotting is designated by the following code:
01 – van (almost white individual with several spots) 02 – harlequin (larger colored spots are located on the main white background) 03 – bicolor or two-color 09 – white spots on the legs and/or chest
Other codes do not apply to the Maine Coon breed.
The pattern of a cat is called tabby. Its type is indicated by numbers:
11 – shaded (only 1/4 of the hair is dyed) 12 – chinchilla (only 1/8 of the hair is dyed) 21 – agouti (the coding is assigned if it is clear that the pattern will be, but it is not yet clear which one) 22 – marbled or classic pattern 23 – brindle pattern 24 – spotted pattern 25 – ticked pattern
Maine Coons are allowed to have any eye color that matches the following colors:
61 – blue* 62 – all shades of yellow 63 – eyes of different colors 64 – green
*only white cats have blue eyes
Character and behavior of a four-legged pet
Because of its size, the black Maine Coon is often mistaken for a dangerous animal, but first impressions are deceiving. This pet has a peaceful disposition and is suitable for couples with children. The cat has a playful character and often gets into funny situations due to its size. The pet requires attention from the owner, so it is not recommended for constantly busy people to have a Maine Coon. Lack of care can lead to animal apathy and poor health. Treats all family members with love, but may be wary of guests and not show attention to them.
Rare colors
The rarest colors include solid colors of Maine Coons of any color. Breeders obtain an even, uniformly colored tone through their work with pets. Color options accepted by the American and European breed standard systems are considered valuable. It is not often that a baby is born with a uniform coat from parents with spots and stripes on the coat. Rare ones also include the presence of a tricolor color in cats.
Maine Coon Facts What Maine Coons Eat
The colors of Maine Coons depend on the genetic predisposition of the pet and on the painstaking work of breeders. The colors of a kitten's fur coat differ from the color of the coat of an adult pet. Since over time, in some representatives of the color, the stripes and spots become blurred and are of a residual nature. When looking for a purebred animal of a certain color to take home, you should seek recommendations from nursery owners.
What are the conditions for keeping the animal?
When deciding to adopt a large pet into the family, you should take care of creating a suitable corner in the house. It is best to consult with breeders which hygiene and interior items are ideal for the needs of a black Maine Coon. The cat will feel better if the owner takes care of the following things:
| Adaptations | Recommendations |
| Bed | Selected taking into account the active growth of the animal or specialized models are purchased |
| scratching post | Must support the weight of the pet and correspond to its dimensions |
| Toys | Models must be safe and do not contain beaded or button embellishments. |
| Soft balls and mice will be a winning option | |
| Tray | It is recommended to give preference to wide ones without high sides |
| Completely closed ones are not suitable, as the animal will not fit in it. | |
| Filler | It is better to choose a brand of litter that the cat is accustomed to in the nursery. |
| A bowl | Animals are better served by bowls made of glass, ceramic or steel rather than plastic. |
Solid color – for respectable cats
Solid colors without patterns (or with weakly expressed “shadow” patterns) are called solids. One of the rarest is the completely red Maine Coon, scientifically speaking - the red solid.
color red solid
color red solid
color red solid
At the same time, shades of red are found very often among coons, and the red Maine Coon kitten is perhaps the most common offer on the “cat” market. The point here is that on red wool the pattern appears brighter than on any other, and in this case it is practically impossible to get rid of the residual tabby.
However, this is not a problem; stripes and spots do not spoil the red maines at all. The red marbled Maine Coon is especially beautiful. This color is characterized by smooth transitions from red to almost brown, creating a unique effect of color play.
color red marble
color red marble
color red marbled with white (bicolor)
Mystical black
Black cats always attract attention. And a Maine Coon with a solid black color is something special. A chic, graceful panther in a black silk fur coat and a “wild” look! However, this luxury requires special care. Black color in the cat world is a complex phenomenon. It’s like a veil thrown over the usual stripes. Therefore, in kittens with this color, up to a certain age, a pattern is visible, the so-called “residual tabby”. Then the skin begins to bloom and the cat appears in all its dark beauty.
But stripes and spots tend to pop out from under the veil if not properly cared for or fed! Black cats participating in exhibitions and preserving the deep black color of their fur are forced to follow a special diet (the food should never contain beets!), and also avoid direct sunlight. From all this, black wool can acquire an uneven brown tint.
color black solid
color black solid
color black solid
Blue like the sky
Blue maines deserve special mention, which are not yet very widespread in our country, but in the West they have long won universal love and admiration. In Russia, it is rare to hear even the correct name for the color - usually a blue Maine Coon is simply called gray, although this rich and beautiful color can hardly be called that. There are many variations of blue coloring, and it is difficult to choose - the blue solid Maine Coon is simply delightful, but the blue marble looks, perhaps, even more interesting. However, the greatest delight is caused by the Maine Coon of the “blue smoke” color - when moving, such a cat shimmers with the richest shades, from graphite gray to pearlescent.
color blue solid
color blue solid
color blue solid
What is the danger of white people?
Maines in light shades also look luxurious. But caution must be exercised here. White coat color may indicate some genetic abnormalities. In particular, the white coon may be deaf. To be on the safe side, you should probably switch to a cream Maine Coon - cats of this color are no less pleasing to the eye. On the other hand, a cat with any disabilities can become the most beloved!
color white solid
color white solid
color white solid
How to care for a black Maine Coon?
Caring for your pet's coat includes weekly combing, and during the shedding period, the procedure is carried out every day.
Cats require not only a specialized place and equipment for a comfortable life, but also additional care:
- Wool. Owners of a thick and luxurious mane need regular combing (2 times a week); during the period of active molting, the procedure is carried out daily. Cats are water friendly and enjoy playing in the bathtub. However, you should bathe your pet only 4 times a year or if necessary.
- Walks. Adult animals kept in the private sector love to walk around the yard and do not run outside its boundaries. Therefore, a cat living in an apartment must be taken out for walks; this requires a leash and a collar.
- Nutrition. Experts recommend using extra-class food, developed taking into account the needs of the cat.
- Vet. Animals require regular examination by a doctor and all routine vaccinations.
The black Maine Coon stands out for the beauty of its color among other representatives of the breed. However, when choosing a kitten, the buyer learns that this is not the only shade that nature has endowed the playful, friendly animal with. The size of the pet requires certain conditions of maintenance and care that will provide it with a comfortable life. Otherwise, he may develop apathy, which will lead to various health problems.
Principles for determining colors
Maine Coon coat color is determined by three elements:
- main type of wool;
- the presence of a pattern;
- the presence of spots, their shade and size.
In genetic terms, animal fur is colored only red or black. These colors are considered as basic; under the influence of hereditary and external factors they can become lighter or darker, essentially shades of primary colors. There is also a white color, which means the absence of pigment and in fact is not a color. White kittens usually have dark spots on their heads that gradually disappear with age.
Purchasing a kitten
Criterias of choice
If you decide to purchase a Maine Coon kitten, you need to approach this issue with all responsibility and pay attention to the recommendations:
- It is better to take a kitten at the age of 3-3.5 months, not earlier. At the beginning of life, adaptation, learning, copying habits from parents, and knowledge of the world around us take place. At the beginning of life, the kitten receives the necessary vaccinations.
- The kitten should be healthy, active, cheerful, energetic, with smooth, silky fur. No sneezing, no coughing, and no nasal discharge.
- The breeder must provide the following documents:
– veterinary passport with all vaccinations;
What to feed?
First, select the necessary utensils for food and water. It must be very heavy so that it cannot be turned over. The main diet must include meat and dairy products, as well as vegetables and grains. The food can be combined with dry food only of the highest quality.
You cannot add spices to food, especially salt and sugar. For proper digestion, the Maine Coon needs greens. Avoid street grass. An alternative would be home-sown grass. Do not forget about anthelmintic drugs for preventive purposes.
Beautiful raccoons drink only purified water. Based on this, try to place the bowl of water away from the food to avoid pieces of food getting into the liquid and vice versa.
In general, Maine Coons are not picky eaters. The main thing is not to allow yourself to eat unhealthy, or too cold or hot food.
What colors are considered the most expensive and respectable?
The fashion for the color of cats changes over the years. Either red marble soars in price, or Harlequin. Colors can be truly rare and original. But the value of animals is not in them, but in their health and breed characteristics.
A cat is a friend, a family member. It doesn't matter what his fur is. They choose a friend with their hearts and for a long time, and the colors are all good in their own way.
Cheaply choose and acquire a friend in the Lakiss nursery, Novosibirsk. For example, a black marble male kitten costs 5,000 rubles.*
Kittens are delivered to any city in Russia and abroad by the AKBARS nursery in the city of Ufa. They are purebred with passports and pedigree. The average price is 15 thousand rubles.
