White Maine Coons at a Glance
Quick facts about one of the breed’s most striking colors
Rarity
~1.5%
of Maine Coons are solid white
Eye Colors
🔵 Blue 🟢 Green
🟠 Copper 🔵🟡 Odd-eyed
Average Adult Weight
Females: 12–15 lbs
Males: 20–25 lbs
Deafness Risk
Two blue eyes: ~65%
One blue eye: ~40%
Solid white is one of the most striking coat variations, but you can explore all 80+ recognized patterns in our complete Maine Coon color directory.
The White Maine Coon cat is a personal favorite for us. We’re one of the few TICA Registered breeders in the United States who work with white Maine Coons. Furthermore, it’s always exciting to see little white kittens emerge, knowing it’s a future companion to a fellow white cat lover.
How Rare is a White Maine Coon?
Compared to other Maine Coon colors, solid white is extremely uncommon. Only 1.5% of the total Maine Coon population is solid white. See the chart below to compare the different colors.
|
Cat Color |
Gene Responsible |
How Common |
|---|---|---|
|
Black/Brown Tabby |
Agouti |
Most Common |
|
Solid Black |
Non-Agouti (Recessive) |
Common |
|
Red |
Sex Linked |
Common for Males, Less Common for Females |
|
BiColor |
White Spotting Gene |
Common |
|
Tortie/Calico |
Red gene on Two X Chromosomes |
Common in Females |
|
Blue (Dilute) |
Dilute Gene (Recessive) |
Less Common |
|
Silver/Smoke |
Inhibitor Gene |
Fairly Common, But Very Popular |
|
Solid White |
Dominant White Gene (masks all colors) |
Uncommon |
Many people mistake silver shaded kittens for solid white. Learn how the silver inhibitor gene creates a contrasting undercoat in our guide to the silver smoke Maine Coon
How White Maine Coon Kittens are Made
White Maine Coons are produced when one parent has the Dominant White gene. This is identified as “W“.
This gene works by masking any and all other coat colors and presenting only white. It prevents pigment from showing in the cat’s fur.
Underneath every solid white cat is another coat color! Sometimes we can determine the color of the coat with a genetic test. Additionally, you may see a small spot ont he kitten’s forehead that represents the true color underneath. This spot will fade as the kitten matures.
Dreaming of a White Maine Coon?
When you’re ready to add a fluffy white Maine Coon to your family, come see our available Maine Coon kittens.
White Maine Coons and The Risk of Deafness
With any solid white cat, there is a risk of deafness. There is a direct link between white coats, blue eyes and congenital deafness. The Gene (W) that affects the coat color also affects the eye color. Melanocytes that give the fur color also color the eyes. Without the pigment to create green or copper, the eyes appear blue.
While we’re on the topic, let’s appreciate that this gene can also disrupt the migration of cells that allow chemical balance in the inner ear’s hair cells, thus causing hearing loss. All three typically (but not always) happen at the same time.
if your white Maine Coon has Cooper, green or yellow eyes, then it probably has normal hearing. Deafness usually occurs in blue-eyed and odd-eyed Maine Coons that have a solid white coat. The hearing loss is usually found on the side with the blue eye. Statistically, if both eyes are blue then there is a 65% chance that the kitten is deaf.
Since I’ve been working with solid white Maine Coons for several years, I’ve realized that deafness runs in the bloodlines. I’ve had two solid white females in my program. The first one (Blanche) produced a several deaf white kittens. Magic has never produced a deaf white kitten. Just something interesting to note.
For the reason of potential deafness, many breeders don’t work with the white color. I happen to enjoy working with solid white coats very much and am not afraid of a deaf kitten. In fact, we have a waiting list of clients who specifically want a deaf white Maine Coon.
Do White Maine Coons have Blue Eyes?
The blue-eyed Maine Coon cat could possibly be the most striking in the entire lineup. The solid white coat against those beautiful baby blues is stunning.
The color of a kitten’s eyes doesn’t change to their permanent color until they’re about 7 to 9 weeks old. Until then they will be what we call “baby blue”. This is a deep blue color – almost navy. Once the eyes start to change colors, it starts first around the pupil and works its way out.
With a blue-eyed Maine Coon, you can determine if the cat will have permanent blue eyes. You can also find out if it will have odd eyes. When you take a photo of a cat in low light using flash photography, the pupils don’t close quickly enough. The light from the flash passes into the eye through the pupil and reflects off the back of the eyeball.
Blue-eyed Maine Coons have less melanin in their eyes, thus causing the red reflection in the photos. This rule applies to people with blue eyes, as well!
Meet Omega, my White Maine Coon Baby
- Omega is the cat of mine that will hang out with me on the couch the longest. He’ll stick around long enough to watch an entire half of a movie!! He also lets anyone that comes over to the house pick him up and hold him. He’s a cool dude.
- He likes to take a bath. I can take him in the bathtub with me and scrub a dub. He also digs the blow dryer.
- Omega is a gentle giant. He’s getting to the point where I have to grunt to pick him up, and he grunts too! But we can just chill out together and his loud purrs are calming and make all other noises just disappear.
Pictures of White Maine Coon Cats
Below are some pictures of white Maine Coon cats. They belong to Sassy Koonz or they are one of our white Maine Coon kittens produced here.
Reasons Why My White Maine Coon Cat is the Coolest
- He’s EXTREMELY talkative. He is always meowing, talking, chirping, trilling grunting, mumbling under his breath, etc. More than any cat I’ve ever met. Let’s put it this way. As long as Omega is around I’ll never need an alarm clock, or forget to feed the clan. He’s there EVERY DAY at 5:45 am to let me know the sun is rising and it’s time to hit the floor.
- He’s majestic but goofy at the same time. He walks around like a lion, just tall and confident. Subsequently, he doesn’t know what’s going on half the time and he’s usually late to the show. He’s always looking around like “what did I miss”?
- This big kitty will literally sit at the dinner table with us, waiting on some bite-size yummies, without ever getting on the table. He knows that if he stays in his seat, he gets a treat. And he is a FOODIE! He’ll eat anything from Macaroni and cheese, waffles, key lime pie, chicken..you name it.
- He’s friends with everyone! I’ve never seen him get ugly with any of the other Coonies, or our dog Branson. He’s just a big old loverboy.
What Does Omega look like now?
He’s a whopping 31 pounds. He is the biggest cat of my bunch. Maybe he’ll compete for the World Record of the World’s Biggest Cat!!
The White Maine Coon Cat’s Personality
I’ve been breeding white Maine Coons since 2017 and what I notice consistently across every litter is that white Maine Coons have an even temper, and do well with families of all sizes. I’d describe them as patient and observant companions. All of the white Maine Coons that we’ve had all tolerate babies, toddlers, strangers and adults very well.
Omega, for example, knows that when people come into our home to pick up a kitten, they will most certainly ask to take a photo with him. He’s so large and grand that he’s very irresistible. He sometimes steals the show with his mere presence – even if he’s sleeping.
Frequently Asked Questions about White Maine Coon Cats
Are White Maine Coons deaf?
Not all white Maine Coons suffer from hearing loss. If a cat has two blue eyes, then there is a 40% chance of him being deaf. If he has one blue eye, then the risk is 20%. The cat will usually be deaf on the side with blue eyes.
There is a test that can be performed which is referred to as the BAER (Brainstem auditory evoked response). It evaluates the external ear canal components and the middle/inner ear cavities. It also assesses the cranial nerve and selected areas of the brain stem.
What Color Eyes Does a White Maine Coon Have?
The solid white Maine Coon can have blue eyes, copper eyes, green eyes, or odd eyes.
Are Maine Coon Cats Really White?
The Maine Coon is white because it has inherited the dominant white marker gene. This gene is so dominant that it can trump any other genetic coloring present within the cat. Underneath the white Maine Coon coat genetically lies the true color of the cat.
Are Maine Coons Hard to Keep Clean?
Cats are very meticulous about keeping themselves clean. Therefore, a white Maine Coon is just as sparkly clean as a black Maine Coon. You may discover tear stains on the face or a yellowish color in the tail. Both of these can be remedied with special shampoos for white cats.
Discover more from Sassy Koonz Maine Coon Cattery
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I think I have a white Maine Coon but I’m not for sure, how do I tell? He checks all the boxes but the ears. His kitten picture and your babies picture look exactly alike
Tish
Dycastdave@aol.com
I live in Maine, and would love to breed some Maine Coons, simply believe they are the perfect cat! Gentle giants who love affection, great for families, and beautiful! Especially the white ones! Can you help guide me on how to get started? My GF Laurel would love to do this, and I’d be happy to support. Hit me an email, if you could be so kind: jhbumby@gmail.com
Google the Coure called “Complete Guide to Breeding Pedigree Cats”
Hello. How do I reserve a white kitten from you?
My email: stece2@verizon.net
Review my adoption policy, please. That will explain everything. Thank you
How do I reach you through email about purchasing a white kitten?
Thank you.
Please review the adoption information on the website. That will tell you the process for adopting a Sassy Koonz baby 🙂 You can also message me directly through Facebook Messenger. Go to Sassy Koonz on Facebook and click “Message” 🙂
I’m struggling for a name for my white main coon who’s is 14 weeks he has a undertone of peach or cream
My Queen, Kali (a calico Maine Coon) gave birth a month ago to 5 Maine Coon kittens. [The father is Spook.] The 5 kittens: 2 solid white with blue eyes, 1 tan, 1 yellow tiger (though the tiger stripes are not prominent yet) and 1 calico that I’ve named PRECIOUS. The other 4 have not yet been named. The Main Coon here in Central Illinois is rare in that very few people have never seen the breed. Spook is 3 years old and his body length has some growing to do is about 36 inches from nose to butt (NOT INCLUDING THE TAIL). Kali as the female is a smaller cat but she’ll grow once she is spayed. The ear tufts are just starting on Spook. Both adult cats have started the mane & both have the breed’s large paws & long fluffy tail. I wish I could post pictures but the 5 kittens and mom & dad join 9 other house cats I’ve rescued over the years. —– THANK YOU FOR A TRULY GREAT WEBSITE!! I’ve sent your site to over 20 of my friends already with pictures of my Maine Coon family.
I am looking for a female white kitten
How much are these white main coons? I really want to bring in a white main coons kitten to my home. It is me and my 4 year old daughter. She is very very kind with animals. She is loving and actually very responsible and empathetic, so I am confident the kitten will be in a happy home.
Creamsicle
Hi I am desperately in need of white Maine coon kitten . I was scarred on FB a lady said that she has a white coon kitten and she told me two send her two hundred dollars gift card to register the cat …… after she got the money she changed her number and I couldn’t get in touch with her .
So please if you have a coon kitten please let me know . Thanks
Rita
The best way to stay updated on our kittens is to complete an application and then sign up for text message notifications. Thank you
I have a 12 week old white Maine coon. She has dusted behind & under everything lol. I did give her first bath, that went well but how do you keep them white. Any tricks?