Maine Coons are beautiful cats known for their incredible size and bold coat colors. They simply make lovely companions and awesome best friends.
But which Maine Coon color should you go for? Should orange Maine Coons be one of your choices?
These are just some of the questions this guide will try to answer. If you are interested in orange Maine Coons, make sure to read all the way to the end!
What Is an Orange Maine Coon?
The orange Maine Coon is one of the many color variants of the Maine Coon breed. The staple features of these cats are their ginger-like coat color and their massive size.
Despite having “orange” in their name, these cats are officially recognized as red Maine Coons by most cat associations.
There are six recognized variations of the orange Maine Coon. One feature that is shared across all these variants is the presence of tabby markings.
However, tabby markings may not be as visible on some orange Maine Coons compared to others.
Orange Maine Coons have been around for ages. While their exact year of origin is unknown, there is reason to believe that these cats have existed way before the 1860s.
Nowadays, orange Maine Coons are becoming the talk of the town. It is an understatement to say that these kitties are continuously gaining popularity!
Other Names of the Orange Maine Coon
The orange Maine Coon goes by many names. These cats are often referred to as ginger Maine Coons or red Maine Coons.
The former stems from their ginger-like coat color while the latter is derived from their actual color class.
There are plenty of variants of the orange Maine Coon. Some of them are the red tabby Maine Coon, red and white Maine Coon, and red smoke Maine Coon.
One useful tip to remember is that all Maine Coons with “red” in their name usually pertain to the orange Maine Coon. However, there are also orange Maine Coons that go by the name “cameo smoke Maine Coons.”
Orange Maine Coon Appearance: What Does an Orange Maine Coon Look Like?
The different colors of the Maine Coon breed share plenty of similarities with each other. For starters, Maine Coon cats are massive! They are perhaps one of the largest domesticated cat breeds in the entire world.
Moreover, Maine Coons are also known for their thick and luscious fur. These cats also have long tails and piercing eyes. All of these are true for the orange Maine Coon; however, there are some other things to take note of.
First, the orange Maine Coon comes in six different color variants. These variants include solid red, red tabby, red tabby and white, red and white, red smoke, and red smoke and white.
All of the color variations of orange Maine Coon cats have one thing in common, and that is their ginger-like coat color.
A telltale sign that a Maine Coon cat is orange is if a large portion of its coat shows shades of orange. These shades may range from a light ginger orange to bright carrot orange.
All Color Variations of Orange (Red) Maine Coon Cats
The orange Maine Coon is known by most cat associations as the red Maine Coon. In fact, there are no mentions of “orange” in the Cat Fanciers Association breed standard.
That said, the red Maine Coon and the orange Maine Coon are just different names for the same cat. One thing to keep in mind is that all orange (red) Maine Coons are tabbies.
Orange (red) Maine Coons come in six different variations. Read along to find out more about each of these variants.
Solid Red Maine Coon
The solid red Maine Coon has a rich coat color. Its fur is a deep shade of orange, and its lips and chin are the same color as its coat. Solid red Maine Coons have brick red noses and paw pads.
Unlike other solid color cats, solid red Maine Coons are not technically “solid.” These cats still have tabby markings; however, these markings are less pronounced compared to other variations of the orange Maine Coon. For this reason, these cats appear to have a solid coat color.
Red Tabby Maine Coon
Red tabby Maine Coons are also known as the orange and white Maine Coons. These cats have more visible tabby markings compared to the solid red Maine Coon. Moreover, the lips and chin of red tabby Maine Coons are white.
Red Tabby and White Maine Coon
Red tabby and white Maine Coon cats are easily recognizable. These cats look like the red tabby Maine Coons but with a large patch of white fur on their chest. Red tabby and white Maine Coons also have white fur on all four feet.
Red and White Maine Coon
Among the different variants of the orange (red) Maine Coon, the red and white Maine Coon is one of the easiest to identify.
Its telltale feature is the solid patch of white fur on a large portion of its body. Its white marks extend from its paws and belly to its chest area.
Red and white Maine Coons do not exhibit tabby markings as much as other orange Maine Coon colors. The coat color of these cats is often split equally between rich red color and white.
Cameo Smoke (Red Smoke) Maine Coon
The cameo smoke Maine Coon, also known as the red smoke Maine Coon, has a very subtle shade of red.
These cats have a white undercoat that is deeply tipped with brilliant red. This orange (red) variant is on the lighter side in terms of color.
From afar, these cats may appear as if they are entirely white. However, up close, their ginger-like color is more noticeable.
In addition, these cats have well-defined tabby markings including the M-shaped marking on their heads.
Cameo Smoke (Red Smoke) and White Maine Coon
The cameo smoke and white Maine Coon is also known as the red smoke and white Maine Coon. This cat is similar to the cameo smoke Maine Coon except they have white fur on all their paws.
Orange Maine Coon Size and Weight: How Big Do Orange Maine Coons Get?
Maine Coon cats are known as one of the biggest domesticated cat breeds. This is true across all Maine Coon colors including the orange variety.
One factor that affects the size of an orange Maine Coon is their gender. Full-grown male orange Maine Coons are usually heavier and taller than females. However, in terms of length, males and females are on par at around 19 to 40 inches.
Height-wise, male orange Maine Coons stand between 10 and 16 inches while females are shorter at just 8 to 14 inches.
On the other hand, weight-wise, male orange Maine Coons reach weights of 13 to 18 pounds while females weigh just around 8 to 12 pounds.
There is quite a gap, in terms of size, between male and female Maine Coons. If you want a more manageable pet, go with a female orange Maine Coon. However, if you want a larger cat, males are a more recommendable option.
Are Orange Maine Coon Cats Rare?
Only the solid orange Maine Coon is considered rare among the different color variations. The rarity behind the solid red Maine Coon is due to their tricky genetics.
It is very uncommon for these cats to have barely visible markings, which is the case in solid red Maine Coons.
The rest of the color variations of the orange Maine Coon is fairly common. You can easily find other orange varieties for sale or for adoption.
Orange Maine Coon Temperament and Behavior: Do Orange Maine Coon Cats Make Good House Pets?
Orange Main Coons can be a bit intimidating at first. This is mainly due to their majestic appearance, piercing eyes, and fabulous coats. But don’t be fooled; these cats are truly friendly pets!
To put it simply, orange Maine Coons make great family pets and companions. These cats are extremely intelligent, and they are very easy to train.
In fact, the Maine Coon breed is known to have a “dog-like” behavior when it comes to training.
Moreover, orange Maine Coons are responsive to commands, and they love human interaction. You can even teach them a couple of tricks!
These cats are also big cuddlers. They enjoy being around other pets and people, especially their owners. The best way to bond with your orange Maine Coon is over a belly rub.
However, keep in mind that orange Maine Coons are very curious kitties. You might catch them licking, wrestling, or biting common household items. Other than that, they are pretty much perfect as a family pet.
Orange Maine Coon Color Genetics: What Makes a Maine Coon Orange?
We won’t get into the nitty-gritty of feline coat color genetics in this guide. However, we will still tackle the basics of orange Maine Coon color genetics and orange cats in general.
So what exactly makes a Maine Coon exhibit an orange coat color?
The gene responsible for the orange coat color in Maine Coons is carried by the X-chromosome. The allele of this gene can have two forms, ‘O’ and ‘o’.
To review, males have an XY chromosome and females have an XX chromosome.
For males, the story is a bit simpler. A male Maine Coon carrying an X-chromosome with an ‘O’ allele will have an orange coat.
On the other hand, a male Maine Coon carrying an X-chromosome with an ‘o’ allele will have either black or brown coat color.
Meanwhile, for females (XX chromosome), color genetics is a bit trickier. To simplify, here are all the possible combinations of alleles for female Maine Coons:
Two ‘O’s will result in an orange coat color.
Two ‘o’s will result in a black or brown coat color.
An ‘O’ and an ‘o’ will result in a tortoiseshell coat.
This means that a female Maine Coon must carry two X chromosomes with an ‘O’ allele to have an orange coat. Any other combination will yield a different coat color as they do not carry the correct orange gene.
To sum up, male Maine Coons are more likely to have orange coats compared to female Maine Coons. Males have a one in two chance while females only have a one in three chance of having an orange coat.
Orange Maine Coon Grooming Needs: How to Groom an Orange Maine Coon Cat?
Grooming an orange Maine Coon is not the easiest thing to do. However, with the right tools and a bit of patience, anyone can get the hang of it.
If you want to groom your orange Maine Coon at home, the first thing to do is to make sure you have all the essential tools.
These tools are a cat hairbrush, nail trimmer, towels, and cat shampoo. You may also use a pet-safe essential oil to keep your Maine Coon smelling fresh.
Grooming starts with bathing. You can bathe your orange Maine Coon as frequently as once a month or as seldom as once every six weeks.
In general, Maine Coon cats are very good at cleaning themselves. These cats often clean their paws, genitals, and even their ears.
All there is to do is to make sure their luscious hair does not get matted or tangled. Brushing your orange Maine Coon’s hair every day is enough to avoid this.
In terms of their nail maintenance, trim your Maine Coon’s nails whenever you feel they are getting too long. An electric nail trimmer is the easiest tool for this task.
Here’s a useful demonstration on how to groom a Maine Coon cat:
Maine Coon Cat Grooming with The Pet Maven<a href="https://youtu.be/otlQ27YLhcM" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FotlQ27YLhcM%2F0.jpg" alt="Maine Coon Cat Grooming with The Pet Maven" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Orange Maine Coon Lifespan and Health Issues: How Long Do Orange Maine Coons Live?
Orange Maine Coons live an average lifespan of 12 years; however, there are many claims of these cats living up to 15 years old.
While the Maine Coon is not known for having the longest lifespan, they are still fairly healthy kitties.
That said, there are still some health issues to look out for if you are planning to get this cat variety.
Here are the common health issues in orange Maine Coons:
Obesity: Feline obesity is a perilous health condition in Maine Coons. An obese orange Maine Coon will usually experience other life-altering health issues. A cat is considered obese if its weight exceeds 20% of the ideal weight.
Hip Dysplasia: Feline hip dysplasia is common in large cat breeds such as the Maine Coon. A cat diagnosed with this condition has a misaligned ball and socket joint. Common symptoms include pain when moving and noticeable limping.
Polycystic Kidney: Polycystic kidney in cats is usually a result of faulty breeding. This health condition is characterized by the development of multiple cysts around a cat’s kidney. An orange Maine Coon cat with this health condition is prone to experiencing kidney failure.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): SMA is a genetic disease in felines. Its most common symptom is an unsteady gait. A Maine Coon with SMA will experience loss of motor neurons and occasional abnormalities when moving around.
These are just some of the most common health issues in orange Maine Coons. Keep in mind that it is possible for a cat to live a sickness-free life just like other animals!
A healthy lifestyle, regular vet visits, and good nutrition are some of the best ways to achieve this.
How Much Is an Orange Maine Coon Cat? Kitten Prices and Expenses
In general, Maine Coon cats cost a pretty penny. As expected, this is also the case for orange Maine Coons, especially the rare solid reds.
If you want to have an orange Maine Coon kitten as a pet, expect to pay anywhere between $600 and $2,500.
The said price range is the cost of buying an orange Maine Coon kitten from a reputable breeder.
However, if you want to save some money, you always have the option to adopt a Maine Coon cat from a rescue or shelter. The adoption fee will run you from about $200 to $500.
That said, remember that an adoptable orange Maine Coon is hard to come by. Remember, these cats are highly desirable so you might need to do a little bit of digging to score one from a shelter or rescue.
With all that in mind, let’s talk about the other expenses of owning this feline.
Here’s a summary of all the initial expenses in raising an orange Maine Coon cat:
The expenses listed above are all the essential tools you will need if you decide to get an orange Maine Coon.
When shopping for these, remember not to cheap out on your cat. High-quality items will always be a better deal compared to overly inexpensive ones.
On top of these initial expenses, you must also consider the recurring cost of owning an orange Maine Coon. These expenses include veterinary checkups, pet insurance, vitamins, cat food, cat litter, and cat treats.
For Maine Coons, the recurring cost typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,000 per year.
Places to Find Orange Maine Coon Kittens for Sale or Adoption
Can’t wait to get an orange Maine Coon? You’re in luck because, in this section, we will help you narrow down your search!
Before buying or adopting an orange Maine Coon, however, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Firstly, get an orange Maine Coon cat only from reputable breeders. Do not buy one from backyard breeders or puppy mills.
Secondly, when adopting an orange Maine Coon cat, make sure that it’s in good health. You can do this by asking for a veterinarian’s expert opinion or by asking for the pet’s medical history.
Once you have these in mind, you are ready to buy or adopt an orange Maine Coon!
Below are some of the best places to find orange Maine Coon kittens for sale:
Coon Magic – This New York-based cattery is a CFA-registered breeder. Coon Magic specializes in breeding Maine Coon cats of all kinds including the orange ones. Make sure to regularly check their available kittens on their website or Facebook page.
Sassy Koonz – Sassy Koonz is a cattery based in Florida. They pride themselves on raising 100% European Maine Coons. They have all sorts of healthy kittens in their litter including the many color variants of the orange Maine Coon. You can fill out their application form on their website.
Pets4You – Pets4You is a website that lists breeders of different cat breeds. Established in 2006, this service has helped thousands of aspiring pet owners in finding trusted breeders. Be sure to check out their listing for orange Maine Coon breeders on a regular basis.
If you are looking to adopt an orange Maine Coon instead, the search may be a bit more tedious. However, there are still plenty of services you can use to help you out.
Here is a list of services you can use to find orange Maine Coon cats and other Maine Coon mixes for adoption:
Adopt-a-Pet – Adopt-a-Pet is one of the most famous websites when it comes to finding pets for adoption. This service brings thousands of adoptable pets within your fingers’ reach through their website. They host adoptable orange Maine Coons in their listings from time to time so make sure to check out their website.
Best Friends – Best Friends is another online platform run by a non-profit organization. The aim of Best Friends is to rehome all unwanted or abandoned animals. Make sure to check out their listings regularly to look for an orange Maine Coon adult cat. Your kitty best friend might be lurking on the Best Friend website!
Petfinder – Petfinder is an adoption website that aims to bridge aspiring pet owners to various shelters and rescues. This service features a useful location-based search. With it, you can look for orange Maine Coons near your vicinity. Plus, you can also filter search results based on a cat’s age, gender, or coat color!
Regardless if you are buying or adopting an orange Maine Coon, you will surely find the services listed helpful.
While you can always find sources from word of mouth or social media advertisements, the sources listed here are some of the most reliable ones you will find.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Orange Maine Coons Be Female?
Due to the complicated science behind feline coat color genetics, orange Maine Coons are usually males unlike other Maine Coon colors. However, there can also be female orange Maine Coons.
A handy rule of thumb to remember is that a male Maine Coon has a 50% chance of being born with an orange coat. On the other hand, a female Maine Coon only has a 33% chance of having an orange coat.
Are There Ginger Maine Coon Cats?
The ginger Maine Coon cat is simply a different name for the orange Maine Coon cat. These two names are usually used interchangeably to refer to the same cat.
Do Orange Maine Coon Cats Shed?
Contrary to popular belief, orange Maine Coons and Maine Coons, in general, do not shed much. They are considered low to moderate shedders. That said, they might still trigger allergies.
One way to keep an orange Maine Coon’s coat manageable is by brushing its fur on a daily basis. This will also prevent them from shedding on various spots around the house.
How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Mixed With a Maine Coon?
The only full-proof way to tell if your cat is mixed with a Maine Coon is by performing a genetic test. However, since these tests are way too expensive to answer a simple question, you can instead look for some telltale signs.
Part Maine Coon cats are usually bigger than average. They may also inherit the Maine Coon’s ear shape, bushy tail, and overall body frame.
If your cat looks like a Maine Coon in even the slightest bit, then there’s a decent chance that it is part Maine Coon.
Final Thoughts
The orange Maine Coon, formally recognized as the red Maine Coon, comes in plenty of color variations. Regardless of which variant you get, an orange Maine Coon will always make a wonderful family companion.
If you don’t mind brushing its hair every day and giving it plenty of cuddles, then an orange Maine Coon is a sound choice for a pet.
You will not have a dull moment with these kitties. In fact, their vibrant color is just the cherry on top of their lovely personality!
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