--- title: "Smoke Colored Cats: Complete Guide to This Stunning Coat" canonical: "https://catcomfortshop.com/smoke-colored-cat/" author: "Steffan Clarke" published: "2026-11-10T09:00:00+00:00" modified: "2026-09-18T12:00:40+00:00" language: "en-US" site: "Cat Comfort Shop" description: "![smoke colored cat](images/smokecoloredcat.webp) Image source: Web (Bing) / mainecooncatclub.com (Web image (fairuse with source credit)) Smoke is a…" categories: "Cat Lifestyle & Entertainment" attribution: "Cat Comfort Shop (https://catcomfortshop.com/)" --- # Smoke Colored Cats: Complete Guide to This Stunning Coat ![smoke colored cat](https://catcomfortshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/smoke-colored-cat-mu6egztn.webp) Image source: Web (Bing) / maine-coon-cat-club.com (Web image (fair-use with source credit)) ## Which Breeds Have Smoke Coats? (And Which Don't) Smoke is a pattern that can appear in many breeds, but it is not universal. Here are the breeds where smoke is recognized and common, based on CFA and TICA breed standards as of 2026. **Breeds where smoke is standard and common:** - Persian - Maine Coon - British Shorthair - Norwegian Forest Cat - Siberian - Ragdoll (though less common) - Bengal (smoke is a recognized color) **Breeds where smoke exists but is rare:** - American Shorthair - Scottish Fold - Exotic Shorthair - Cornish Rex - Devon Rex **Breeds where smoke is not recognized or does not occur:** - Siamese (points are solid, body is lighter) - Sphynx (coat is too short to show smoke) - Burmese (solid coat genetically) - Abyssinian (ticked coat, not tipped) If you are looking for a smoke colored cat, your best bet is a Persian or Maine Coon. These breeds have the largest population of smoke individuals. A reputable breeder can show you photos of the parents and confirm the pattern. One important note: some breeders will advertise a "smoke" cat that is actually a shaded or chinchilla. If the undercoat is clearly visible at rest, it is not smoke. If the cat has visible stripes, it is not smoke (unless it is a smoke tabby, which is a separate classification). Always ask for a photo with the fur parted. ## Frequently Asked Questions About Smoke Colored Cats ### Is a smoke colored cat the same as a silver cat? Not exactly. Silver is a broader term that includes smoke, shaded, and chinchilla patterns. All silver cats have a white undercoat. Smoke is the darkest variant, with 50% to 90% of each hair tipped in color. A silver tabby, for example, has stripes and a lighter undercoat. ### Can a smoke cat have yellow eyes? Yes. Eye color depends on the breed standard, not the smoke pattern. Many smoke Persians have copper or deep gold eyes. Smoke Maine Coons can have green or gold eyes. The smoke pattern does not dictate eye color. Check the breed standard for your cat's breed. ### Do smoke cats shed more than solid cats? No. Shedding is the same. But smoke cats may *look* like they shed less because the white undercoat hairs blend less with dark furniture. A black smoke cat's white undercoat hairs are more visible on a dark couch than a solid black cat's hairs would be. ### Can you breed two smoke cats and get a non-smoke kitten? Yes, if both parents are heterozygous (I/i), they each carry one copy of the non-smoke gene. Statistically, 25% of their kittens will be non-smoke (i/i). Breeders often test their cats genetically to know exactly what they are working with. ### Is the smoke pattern rare? It depends on the breed. In Persians and Maine Coons, smoke is fairly common. In other breeds like the Cornish Rex or Scottish Fold, it is rare. Overall, smoke is less common than solid or tabby patterns across the general cat population. ### How do I know if my rescue cat is a smoke? Do the part test. Part the fur at the shoulder or flank and look at the roots. If the base is white or pale silver and the tips are dark, you likely have a smoke cat. If the roots are only slightly lighter than the tips, it may be shaded. If the whole hair is the same color, it is a solid.