Silver Maine Coon Cat Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

The Maine Coon is an amazing cat. They have the loving playfulness of a standard-size house cat but in giant form, and their silver-coated varieties are among the most beautiful of them all. Silver Maine Coons hold a certain air of mystique. At first glance, they'll instantly remind you how domesticated cats used to be wild animals.

Breed Overview

The Maine Coon's body structure and poise command respect as they enter a room as if they were feline royalty. However, you’ll quickly realize that they’re not the divas of the cat world. They’re pretty down-to-earth housecats with a whole lot of love to give.

The silver gene that gives Maine Coons their stunning silver fur differs from the diluted black that produces gray fur. The inhibitor locus (silver gene) suppresses pheomelanin (red/yellow pigment) more than eumelanin pigment (black pigment). Solid silver Maine Coons are Smokes, cats with wide banding are Chinchillas, and those with intermediate banding are Shaded.

Silver Maine Coons Characteristics

Silver Maine Coon Kittens

First and foremost, you will need to consider the size of this fully-grown cat. They are not tiny pets that you can easily tote around. They are contenders for the world’s largest breed. If you have a small apartment or tiny living space, you might want to consider a kitten that won’t grow as big.

Second, despite their size, Maine Coons cats are far from lazy. They’re not the most energetic cats but need daily exercise and love to play. However, the zoomies they’ll experience in the middle of the night may wake you more than other cats due to their size. If you think a small Siamese running around at night is loud, wait until you hear a Maine Coon.

Lastly, Maine Coones aren’t suitable for allergy sufferers. Their thick, shaggy coats make them notorious shedders, and it is particularly true for Silver Main Coons. You have to brush them daily to keep them well-groomed and your furniture hair-free.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Silver Maine Coons

1. The World’s Longest Domestic Cat Ever Was a Silver Maine Coon

Although Stewie passed away in 2005, he still holds the Guinness World Record as the longest domesticated cat on record. Stewie was 48.5 inches long when he passed, making him just over 4 feet long!

2. Silver Maine Coons Aren’t Exclusively Silver

While you might think that Silver Maine Coons are solid silver in color, you may be surprised to find out otherwise. There are several color patterns—including tabby variants—that classify as a Silver (or Smoke) Maine Coon.

3. A Silver Maine Coon Also Holds the Record for the Longest Tail on a Domesticated Housecat

Cygnus Regulus Powers, a Silver Maine Coon out of Michigan, holds the record for the longest tail with a length of 17.58 inches long! The average length of a male cat’s tail is only 11 inches.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Silver Maine Coon 🧠

The Silver Maine Coon shares the same temperament as other Maine Coons and is a sweet, gentle giant who adores their family. They’re not necessarily the biggest of cuddlers, and they won’t hesitate to sit on the other side of the couch with you. They love being able to keep you in their sight.

Silver Maine Coons are also extremely intelligent cats. They love playing with interactive toys and puzzle games to keep them stimulated. They’re also known for their ability to learn tricks and play fetch.

Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪

These gentle giants are amazing with families! Their patience and demeanor keep them active with children, and their size lets them deal with the punishment a younger, rowdy child can dish out. If things get too out of hand, they’ll leave instead of lashing out. They may be aloof with strangers at first, however.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶🐱

Maine Coons do pretty well with other pets, especially cats and dogs. They’ll see them as another part of the family and a friend. However, you will want to be careful with them around smaller pets, particularly rodents.

Silver Maine Coons were used initially aboard ships and barns for their mousing abilities, and they haven't lost their touch over the years. If anything, they have grown more adept at catching them.

Things to Know When Owning a Silver Maine Coon:

Being a parent to a Silver Maine Coon can be a very rewarding experience. However, they’re not necessarily the easiest cat to care for, and most of that’s due to their size. Let’s take a look at some of the areas of care regarding Maine Coons.

Food & Diet Requirements 🐡

Your Silver Maine Coon doesn’t require a special diet compared to a regular house cat. However, they'll need larger portions. It's best to feed them a large portion of highly nutritious food rich in protein and healthy antioxidants.

Our top choice for a Silver Maine Coon is the Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-free Dry Food. It has a 42% minimum protein level and tons of antioxidants. We prefer the dry food version because it’s more economical. However, wet food is available.

Exercise 🐈

With household pets, normally, larger animals are lazier and more laid back than others. However, such is not the case with the Maine Coon. These oversized felines retain the same energy and activity as any other breed. So, to ensure they get proper stimulation, you should give them at least an hour of play each day.

However, the evening is when they really get energized. Cats are nocturnal by nature, and the Maine Coon is no exception. Be prepared for a herd of elephants to be running around your house in the middle of the night—or at least that is what it may sound like.

Training 🧶

Some say that training a cat is impossible. However, that isn’t true. Your Silver Maine Coon has the intelligence to learn tricks just as a dog would. Many Maine Coon owners will regale you with stories about how their feline friends love to play fetch and perform other feats.

Cats are highly motivated by positive methods. So, don’t punish them for doing things wrong. Reward them with love and affection (and treats) for doing things right.

Grooming ✂️

The Maine Coon is a long-haired breed, and they’re going to need help keeping their luxurious coats in good health. They require daily brushing with a slicker brush to untangle all mats and remove excess shedding. Maine Coons are notorious shedders, so you need to be prepared.

Also, you need to stay on top of keeping their claws trimmed down. If you're unsure how to trim a cat's nails, your vet can demonstrate the proper technique. However, you can also take your cat to a groomer for nail clipping.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The Silver Maine Coon doesn’t exhibit any additional ailments compared to other Maine Coon varieties. However, they’re still more prone to some diseases than other cats, such as:

• Hip dysplasia: This is a condition in which the hip joint ball and socket are improperly aligned and prevent the femur (thigh bone) from moving freely.
• Polycystic kidney disease: This kidney disease is genetically inherited and can cause renal failure.
• Spinal muscular atrophy: This is another genetic disorder that affects the skeletal muscles of the torso and limbs.

Male vs Female

The biggest difference between Silver Maine Coon males and females isn’t a physical one. While the males are slightly larger, it’s their attitudes that tend to differ. Males are much more likely to be goofy jesters and the life of the party.

However, that doesn’t mean the females won’t seek out attention. They tend to do so in a more subtle way.

Final Thoughts

The Silver Maine Coon truly is a remarkable feline. Their size and strength are only surpassed by their stunning beauty and calm nature. As majestic as they may seem, they're down-to-earth and would rather spend time mousing than getting primped and polished.

If you intend on adopting a Maine Coon kitten, be sure to ensure that you not only have enough space in your house but in your heart as well. They’re loving and loyal kittens and deserve only the same from you.

Featured Image Credit: Pxfuel