Maine Coon Cat Eye Color: Blue Eyes, Green Eyes, and Kitten Color Changes
The Maine Coon cat is known for its large, expressive eyes that give the breed a warm and intelligent look. Eye color varies widely, and searches for Maine Coon eye color, Maine Coon cat with green eyes, Maine Coon blue eyes, and Maine Coon kitten with blue eyes show just how curious buyers are about eye development. This guide explains the eye colors you can expect, how they change with age, why certain colors are more common, and when Maine Coon kittens finally reach their adult eye color.
Searching for a Maine Coon Kitten for Sale?
If you are here to find your very own Maine Coon baby check out our Purebred Maine Coon Kittens for Sale.
At Almonte Cats, every kitten is:
- TICA / CFA registered from fully health-tested parents
- Raised in-home for confident, affectionate temperaments
- Vet-checked, vaccinated, and microchipped before going home
We advise our families to reserve early — our litters are produced in limited numbers each year to preserve quality and true Maine Coon type.
View Available Kittens & Apply Here
Maine Coon Eye Color Genetics
Maine Coons come in a wide range of eye colors. The most common shades include:
- Gold
- Green
- Green-gold (a blend of both)
- Copper
- Hazel
- Blue (in some patterns and colors)
While many people imagine Maine Coons with vivid green eyes or golden eyes, the truth is that eye color is determined by coat genetics. This means that not every Maine Coon can have any eye color. The color of the fur and the presence of certain color genes influence the final eye shade a kitten will develop.
Maine Coon Eye Shape: What Makes Their Eyes Look So Distinctive
Maine Coons have a unique eye shape that contributes to their signature expression. The breed standard describes Maine Coon eyes as:
- Large
- Wide set
- Slightly oval but appearing round when fully opened
- Set at a slight angle
- Bright and expressive
This eye shape gives the Maine Coon an open, alert look, often described as friendly or curious. The slightly angled placement combined with strong brow structure creates the iconic Maine Coon gaze that many owners fall in love with.
Maine Coon Eye Color Chart
| Coat Color or Pattern | Possible Eye Colors |
|---|---|
| Brown tabby | Green, gold, green-gold |
| Silver tabby | Green, gold |
| Solid black | Gold, copper, green |
| Solid blue | Gold, copper, green |
| White | Blue, copper, odd-eyed, gold |
| Black smoke | Gold, green |
| Red or cream | Gold, copper |
| Shaded and smoke colors | Green, gold |
| Polydactyl Maine Coons | Same as above (polydactylism does not affect eye color) |
This chart satisfies search intent for Maine Coon eye color chart and helps readers quickly understand what their kitten may develop.
Maine Coon Cats With Green Eyes
A Maine Coon cat with green eyes is one of the most requested looks. Green eyes commonly appear in:
- Brown tabbies
- Silver tabbies
- Shaded silver and shaded golden Maine Coons
- Some black or blue cats depending on genetics
Green eyes can range from pale olive shades to deep emerald. Shaded and silver lines often produce the brightest greens due to the way the agouti gene interacts with eye pigment.
Owners often look for green eyes because they create a vivid contrast against darker coats and give the cat a striking, expressive appearance. See Odd-Eyed Maine Coons here.
Maine Coon Blue Eyes
Blue eyes in Maine Coons are less common and depend on specific coat genetics. A Maine Coon cat will only have blue eyes if it carries one of the following:
- The dominant white gene
- The white spotting gene
- The colorpoint gene (found in nonstandard Maine Coons but not recognized in purebreds)
This means a white Maine Coon kitten with blue eyes is possible, as is an odd-eyed white Maine Coon with one blue eye and one gold or green eye.
A black Maine Coon kitten with blue eyes will not keep blue eyes as an adult unless it also carries white spotting or is completely white. Solid black Maine Coons almost always transition to gold, copper, or green.
White Maine Coon Kitten With Blue Eyes
White Maine Coons are the most likely to have blue eyes. The dominant white gene blocks pigment production in both fur and eyes, so white kittens often have:
- Blue eyes
- Copper eyes
- Odd eyes (one blue, one gold or green)
Blue eyes in white kittens are stable and often remain blue into adulthood. White Maine Coons with blue eyes are highly sought after due to their striking contrast and rarity.
Maine Coon Kitten With Blue Eyes: What to Expect
Most Maine Coon kittens with blue eyes will not keep their blue color unless they carry the genes listed above. Almost all kittens start life with blue eyes, but the final color emerges as pigment develops.
The only kittens that keep blue eyes into adulthood are:
- White Maine Coon kittens
- Kittens with significant white spotting
- Kittens with odd eyes
- Kittens from specific nonstandard lines with colorpoint patterns
Every other kitten will go through a gradual color change.
Black Maine Coon Kitten With Blue Eyes
A black Maine Coon kitten with blue eyes is normal at birth, but the eyes will not stay blue. Black Maine Coons typically develop:
- Gold
- Copper
- Green
- Green-gold
If a black kitten has a large amount of white spotting, the eyes may shift to a lighter shade or, rarely, odd eyes.
A fully black Maine Coon without white will never have adult blue eyes. See more about Dominant Blue Eyes in Maine Coons here.
When Do Maine Coon Kittens Get Their Adult Eye Color
One of the biggest questions new owners ask is when do Maine Con kittens get their adult eye color. Here is the timeline:
0–6 weeks
All Maine Coon kittens have blue eyes. No pigment has developed yet.
6–8 weeks
The blue starts fading to a grayish shade or greenish tone. This is the earliest sign of adult color.
8–12 weeks
Pigment begins settling. Most kittens show clear hints of their final color.
3–6 months
Eye color becomes more intense. Green kittens get greener, gold kittens get brighter.
9–12 months
Most Maine Coons have fully developed adult eye color.
18 months–2 years
Some lines continue to deepen in color, especially green and copper eyes.
Why Maine Coon Eye Color Varies So Much
Eye color in Maine Coons is influenced by:
- Breed lines
- Coat color genetics
- The amount of melanin in the iris
- White spotting
- Dominant white gene
- Environmental factors
- Parents’ color genetics
Certain combinations produce vivid colors. For example:
- Silver and shaded lines often have bright green eyes
- Red and cream cats usually have gold or copper
- Black cats can have gold, copper, or green
- White cats may have blue or odd eyes
This variation is part of what makes Maine Coon eye color so fascinating to buyers. See more Maine coon characteristics here.
Coat Color vs. Typical Eye Color in Maine Coons
| Maine Coon Coat | Most Common Eye Color | Less Common Eye Color | Rare Eye Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown tabby | Green | Gold | Copper |
| Silver tabby | Green | Light green | Gold |
| Black | Gold | Green | Copper |
| Blue solid | Gold | Green | Copper |
| Red | Gold | Copper | Green |
| White | Blue | Copper | Odd-eyed |
| Cream | Gold | Copper | Green-gold |
| Black smoke | Green | Gold | Copper |
| Shaded silver | Green | Light green | Gold |
| Shaded golden | Green-gold | Green | Gold |
Maine Coon Eyes in Adults Vs. Kittens
Adult Maine Coons have fuller, more expressive eyes due to:
- Maturity of head structure
- Stronger brow lines
- Larger facial proportions
- Fully developed pigment
Kittens usually look softer and rounder. Their eye shape becomes slightly more oval as they grow, creating the iconic Maine Coon expression.
What Eye Color Is Most Common in Maine Coons
The most common eye colors are:
- Gold
- Green-gold
- Green
These colors appear across most coat patterns. Blue is the rarest and only appears in certain genetic conditions.
Maine Coon Eye Colors From Most Common to Rarest
| Eye Color | How Common It Is | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Most common | Seen in black, blue, red, cream, and many solid and tabby coats. |
| Green-Gold | Very common | A mix of green and gold, especially in tabbies and shadeds. |
| Green | Common | Typical in brown tabby, silver tabby, shaded silver, and shaded golden Maine Coons. |
| Copper | Moderately common | Mostly found in solid colors like black, blue, red, and cream. |
| Hazel | Less common | A soft mix of gold and light green, sometimes seen in shaded coats. |
| Light Green | Less common | Often found in shaded silver and shaded golden lines. |
| Odd-Eyes (One Blue + One Gold/Green) | Rare | Occurs only in white or high-white Maine Coons. |
| Blue (Adult) | Rarest | Only stable in white Maine Coons or high-white patterns. Nonwhite kittens never keep blue eyes. |
Maine Coon Eye Color FAQ
1. What eye colors do Maine Coon cats naturally have?
Maine Coon cats naturally have green, gold, copper, hazel, and green-gold eyes depending on their coat color genetics. Eye color is not random. It is tied to melanin levels and coat patterns, with tabbies often showing green eyes and solid colors leaning toward gold or copper.
2. Can a Maine Coon cat have blue eyes?
Yes, but only if the cat carries the dominant white gene or white spotting gene. Pure color cats without white will not keep blue eyes as adults. Blue eyes are most often seen in white Maine Coon cats, odd-eyed Maine Coons, or kittens under six weeks old.
3. When do Maine Coon kittens get their adult eye color?
Maine Coon kittens begin eye color changes between six and eight weeks. The final shade develops by nine to twelve months. Some lines deepen in color until age two, especially green and copper eyes.
4. Why do Maine Coon kittens all start life with blue eyes?
All kittens are born with blue eyes because pigment in the iris has not formed yet. Melanin production begins around six weeks, gradually shifting the eye color to green, gold, or copper as the kitten matures.
5. What does a Maine Coon with green eyes look like?
A Maine Coon cat with green eyes often has bright, vivid coloring that contrasts with tabby coats, shaded coats, and silver varieties. The green can range from pale mint to deep emerald depending on genetics and line type.
6. Do black Maine Coon kittens keep their blue eyes?
No. A black Maine Coon kitten with blue eyes will develop gold, copper, or green eyes unless it carries white spotting or the dominant white gene. Solid black Maine Coons cannot have adult blue eyes.
7. Are blue-eyed white Maine Coons rare?
White Maine Coons with blue eyes are uncommon but not rare. Blue eyes appear because the dominant white gene prevents pigment formation. These cats may have two blue eyes, two copper eyes, or one of each color.
8. What determines Maine Coon eye color genetics?
Eye color is determined by melanin production controlled by coat color genes. High melanin creates gold or copper eyes, medium melanin creates green eyes, and no melanin in white cats creates blue eyes.
9. What is the most common Maine Coon eye color?
The most common Maine Coon eye colors are green and gold. Many tabby cats develop green or green-gold eyes, while solid colors and red or cream cats often develop gold or copper.
10. Can Maine Coons have odd eyes?
Yes. Odd-eyed Maine Coons occur when the dominant white or white spotting gene affects only one eye, leaving the other eye pigmented. One eye may be blue while the other is green or gold.
11. What does Maine Coon eye shape look like?
Maine Coon eyes are large, wide set, slightly oval, and angled slightly upward. When fully opened, they appear round. This shape creates the expressive, intelligent Maine Coon look the breed is known for.
12. Why are Maine Coon eyes so expressive?
Their expressive look comes from the combination of large eyes, slight angle, strong brow structure, and oval shape. The breed standard calls for bright, open eyes that give a friendly and alert expression.
13. Can a Maine Coon’s eye color change after one year?
Most Maine Coons finish eye development by twelve months, but some lines continue darkening or brightening until age two. Green eyes often deepen the most.
14. Do shaded and silver Maine Coons have special eye colors?
Yes. Shaded silver and shaded golden Maine Coons often have bright green or light green eyes. The agouti gene commonly produces green tones, making these lines popular for their vivid expression.
15. Can a Maine Coon have copper eyes?
Yes. Copper eyes appear most often in solid colors like black or blue, and in red and cream cats. Copper eyes are rich, deep, and highly valued in show lines.
16. Why does my Maine Coon kitten’s blue eyes look cloudy?
Kittens developing pigment often have a cloudy or hazy color change stage between eight and twelve weeks. This is normal as melanin forms in the iris.
17. How can I predict a Maine Coon kitten’s final eye color?
Look at the parents’ eyes, coat colors, early pigment signs, and genetic lines. A kitten with greenish tones at eight weeks will likely develop green or green-gold adult eyes, while golden tones suggest gold or copper.
18. Do Maine Coon polydactyl cats have different eye colors?
No. Polydactylism does not affect eye color. Polydactyl Maine Coons follow the same genetic rules as non-poly Maine Coons. See more about Polydactyl Maine coons in this post.
19. Can Maine Coon eye color affect behavior or health?
Eye color itself does not affect behavior or temperament. Blue eyes in white cats may be linked to hearing loss, but many white Maine Coons hear perfectly.
20. Which Maine Coon eye color is the rarest?
The rarest Maine Coon eye color is true adult blue in nonwhite cats. Blue eyes only remain in cats carrying white spotting, dominant white, or certain recessive patterns.
Conclusion
Maine Coon eye color is one of the breed’s most beautiful features. From golden eyes to bright emerald greens to rare blue eyes, every Maine Coon has a unique expression shaped by genetics, coat color, age, and development. Understanding how eye colors form, when kittens change color, and which colors are connected to specific coats helps families choose a kitten with confidence.
See More Maine Coon Eye Color Info:
- Dominant Blue Eyed Maine Coon Odd-eyed Maine Coons develop when pigment settles differently in each eye during early development.
- Odd Eyed Maine Coon Dominant blue eyes in Maine Coons are caused by a separate genetic mechanism from colorpoint.
Why choose a Maine Coon kitten from Almonte Cats?
At Almonte Cats, we breed Maine Coons from European and American champion lines. Our kittens are health-tested, registered, and raised in-home with love and socialization. We focus on producing large, healthy, affectionate companions with strong bone, sound temperament, and luxurious coats. See our Maine Coon Kittens for Sale here.
Sources & Related Reading
References and resources to learn more about Maine Coon breeding standards and care.
Breed Registries and Associations
- The International Cat Association (TICA) – Official registry for pedigreed cats and recognized Maine Coon breed standards.
- Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) – Oldest pedigree registry, providing breed descriptions and breeder listings.
- Maine Coon Breed Council – Maintains Maine Coon breed history, health updates, and educational materials.
Educational & Veterinary Resources
- Cornell Feline Health Center – Research and guidance on feline health, nutrition, and genetic conditions.
- American Association of Feline Practitioners – Best practices for veterinary care and early kitten wellness.
- Cat Friendly Homes Initiative – Tips for preparing homes for kittens and reducing stress during acclimation.
- Paw Print Genetics – DNA testing reference for breeders (educational overview only).
More Articles from Almonte Cats
Read the Comments +