The Blue Smoke Maine Coon: The ‘Ghost’ Cat#

There is a moment in every judge’s examination of a Blue Maine Coon when they pause, blow gently into the fur, and smile. They have found the white root.

The Blue Smoke is a cat of mystery. At rest, he appears to be a solid Blue (grey). But in motion, he shimmers. The white undercoat flashes through the slate-grey topcoat, creating an effect like moonlight on water.

Genetically, this is a Dilute Black cat with the Inhibitor gene. Here is how to identify a true Smoke.

The Genetics: Dilution + Inhibition#

The Blue Smoke combines two major mutations:

1. Dilution ($dd$): The cat has two copies of the recessive dilute gene, which clumps the black pigment granules, turning them blue.
2. Inhibitor ($I-$): The dominant Inhibitor gene suppresses pigment at the root.
3. Non-Agouti ($aa$): The cat is solid, not tabby.

The Genotype: $a a B- d d I-$

The “Ghost Pattern”#

Even though a Blue Smoke is genetically a “Solid” ($aa$), you will often see faint tabby markings on kittens. These are called Ghost Markings. Robinson’s Genetics notes that because the Inhibitor gene suppresses the “background” color more than the “pattern” color, the underlying tabby pattern (which every cat has) often shines through. In a Blue Smoke, this manifests as “Ghost Barring” on the legs and a faint “M” on the forehead. Judges prefer a “clear” smoke, but some ghosting is often unavoidable.

How to Tell if Your Cat is a Smoke#

Many owners think they have a “light blue” cat when they actually have a Smoke. The Test:

1. Wait for the cat to sit in bright sunlight.
2. Part the fur on the collar (ruff) or the flank.
3. True Blue: The hair is grey all the way to the skin (or slightly lighter grey).
4. Blue Smoke: The root (bottom 1/2 inch) is stark, crisp white. The contrast must be distinct.

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Conclusion#

The Blue Smoke is one of the most sophisticated colors in the Maine Coon palette. It combines the softness of the dilute blue with the drama of the high-contrast smoke.

References#

1. Vella, C. et al. (1999). Robinson’s Genetics. “Smoke,” p. 164.
2. Robinson, R. “Blue Dilution,” p. 140.
3. CFA. Maine Coon Breed Standard: Smoke Division.
4. Walsh, L.G. (2013). The Maine Coon Cat. “The Colors of the Coon,” p. 16.