Black (Brown if Tabby)
Blue (Dilute Black)
Red (Orange/Ginger)
Cream (Dilute Red)
Solid (Self)
Tabby (Agouti)
Unknown (Show All Possibilities)
Yes (Has Dilute Ancestors)
No (Homozygous Dense)
N/A (He is already Dilute)
Dam (Mother) Genetics
Black (Brown if Tabby)
Blue (Dilute Black)
Red (Orange/Ginger)
Cream (Dilute Red)
Tortoiseshell (Black & Red)
Blue-Cream (Dilute Tortie)
Solid (Self)
Tabby (Torbie if Tortie)
Unknown (Show All Possibilities)
Yes (Has Dilute Ancestors)
No (Homozygous Dense)
N/A (She is already Dilute)
Male Kittens (XY)
Female Kittens (XX)
* Note: This calculator assumes standard Mendelian genetics for Red (O), Dilute (d), and Agouti (A). White spotting, Smoke/Silver inhibitor genes, and polygenes are not included in this basic calculation. "Carry Dilute" assumes the parent is visually Dense but carries the recessive gene.
Understanding Maine Coon Genetics
Predicting the coat colors of Maine Coon kittens is a fascinating application of feline genetics. Unlike financial predictions, biological outcomes are governed by specific dominant and recessive genes that determine the phenotype (visual appearance) of the cat. This calculator focuses on the three primary genetic factors that influence Maine Coon colors: the Red gene (Sex-linked), the Dilute gene, and the Agouti (Tabby) gene.
1. The Sex-Linked Red Gene (O/o)
The most critical factor in cat color genetics is the Red gene, which is located on the X chromosome. This is why the sex of the parent and offspring matters significantly:
Males (XY): Have only one X chromosome. They can either be Red (O) or Black-based (o). They cannot be Tortoiseshell (except in rare genetic anomalies).
Females (XX): Have two X chromosomes. They can be Red (OO), Black-based (oo), or Tortoiseshell (Oo), which expresses both colors.
Consequently, male kittens always inherit their base color from their mother, while female kittens inherit a color gene from both parents.
2. Dilute vs. Dense (D/d)
The "Dilute" gene modifies the base color to a lighter shade. It is a recessive trait:
Black becomes Blue (Grey).
Red becomes Cream.
Tortoiseshell becomes Blue-Cream.
For a kitten to be dilute, it must inherit the dilute gene from both parents. If two dense-colored parents produce a blue kitten, it proves both parents carry the recessive dilute gene.
3. Tabby vs. Solid (A/a)
The Agouti gene determines if a cat has tabby markings. The "A" (Agouti) allele is dominant, producing a Tabby. The "a" (Non-agouti) allele is recessive, producing a Solid color.
However, the Red gene has a unique interaction with Agouti. "Solid" Red cats (aa) often still show "ghost markings" because the non-agouti gene does not effectively suppress the tabby pattern on red pigment. In Maine Coons, a Red cat without white is often registered as "Red Self" or "Red Tabby" depending on the clarity of the markings, but genetically they follow the same A/a rules.
Using This Calculator
To use this calculator effectively, select the phenotype of both the Sire and Dam. If you know whether a solid-colored parent carries the recessive genes (like Dilute or Solid), select the appropriate option. The results will generate a list of all genetically possible outcomes for the litter.
function calculateKittens() {
// 1. Get Inputs
var sireColor = document.getElementById('sireColor').value;
var sirePattern = document.getElementById('sirePattern').value;
var sireDilute = document.getElementById('sireDiluteCarrier').value;
var damColor = document.getElementById('damColor').value;
var damPattern = document.getElementById('damPattern').value;
var damDilute = document.getElementById('damDiluteCarrier').value;
// 2. Define Genetics
// Red Gene (X Chromosome): O = Red, o = Black
// Sire Genotype (XY):
var sireGenotypeRed = "; // O or o
if (sireColor === 'Red' || sireColor === 'Cream') {
sireGenotypeRed = 'O';
} else {
sireGenotypeRed = 'o';
}
// Dam Genotype (XX):
var damGenotypeRed = "; // OO, oo, or Oo
if (damColor === 'Red' || damColor === 'Cream') {
damGenotypeRed = 'OO';
} else if (damColor === 'Black' || damColor === 'Blue') {
damGenotypeRed = 'oo';
} else {
damGenotypeRed = 'Oo'; // Tortie or BlueCream
}
// Dilute Gene: D = Dense, d = Dilute
// We determine probability of offspring being dd (dilute) or D- (dense)
var sireIsDilute = (sireColor === 'Blue' || sireColor === 'Cream');
var damIsDilute = (damColor === 'Blue' || damColor === 'Cream' || damColor === 'BlueCream');
// Logic for Dilute Possibility
// If both are dilute (dd x dd) -> 100% dilute
// If one dilute, one dense -> depends if dense carries
// If both dense -> depends if they carry
var possibleDilute = false; // Can we make dilute kittens?
var possibleDense = false; // Can we make dense kittens?
// Helper to determine dilution outcomes
function getDilutionOutcomes(isSireDilute, sireCarrierStatus, isDamDilute, damCarrierStatus) {
var outcomes = [];
// Map status to probability of 'd' allele
// 1 = dd (dilute), 2 = Dd (carrier), 3 = DD (homozygous dense), 0 = Unknown (assume Dd for calculation scope)
var sireAlleles = [];
if (isSireDilute) sireAlleles = ['d', 'd'];
else if (sireCarrierStatus === 'Yes') sireAlleles = ['D', 'd'];
else if (sireCarrierStatus === 'No') sireAlleles = ['D', 'D'];
else sireAlleles = ['D', 'd']; // Unknown, assume carrier for "possibility" listing
var damAlleles = [];
if (isDamDilute) damAlleles = ['d', 'd'];
else if (damCarrierStatus === 'Yes') damAlleles = ['D', 'd'];
else if (damCarrierStatus === 'No') damAlleles = ['D', 'D'];
else damAlleles = ['D', 'd']; // Unknown
// Cross possibilities
var hasDiluteOffspring = false;
var hasDenseOffspring = false;
for(var i=0; i<2; i++) {
for(var j=0; j<2; j++) {
var combo = sireAlleles[i] + damAlleles[j]; // Dd, dd, DD, etc
if (combo.includes('D')) hasDenseOffspring = true;
else hasDiluteOffspring = true;
}
}
return { dense: hasDenseOffspring, dilute: hasDiluteOffspring };
}
var dilution = getDilutionOutcomes(sireIsDilute, sireDilute, damIsDilute, damDilute);
// Pattern Gene (Agouti): A = Tabby, a = Solid
// Sire
var sireAllelesPattern = []; // 'A' or 'a'
if (sirePattern === 'Solid') sireAllelesPattern = ['a', 'a'];
else sireAllelesPattern = ['A', 'a']; // Assume heterozygous tabby to show max possibilities, strict calc requires input
// Dam
var damAllelesPattern = [];
if (damPattern === 'Solid') damAllelesPattern = ['a', 'a'];
else damAllelesPattern = ['A', 'a'];
var possibleSolid = false;
var possibleTabby = false;
// Simple Pattern Logic
if (sirePattern === 'Solid' && damPattern === 'Solid') {
possibleSolid = true;
possibleTabby = false;
} else if (sirePattern === 'Tabby' && damPattern === 'Tabby') {
possibleSolid = true; // Two tabbies can make a solid if both carry
possibleTabby = true;
} else {
// One solid, one tabby
possibleSolid = true; // Tabby might carry solid
possibleTabby = true;
}
// 3. Calculate Results
// — Males (Get X from Dam, Y from Sire) —
var maleColors = []; // List of base colors (Red or Black)
if (damGenotypeRed === 'OO') {
maleColors.push('Red');
} else if (damGenotypeRed === 'oo') {
maleColors.push('Black');
} else {
// Oo
maleColors.push('Red');
maleColors.push('Black');
}
// — Females (Get X from Dam, X from Sire) —
var femaleColors = [];
// Sire gives:
var sireGives = sireGenotypeRed; // 'O' or 'o'
// Dam gives:
var damAlleles = [];
if (damGenotypeRed === 'OO') damAlleles = ['O'];
else if (damGenotypeRed === 'oo') damAlleles = ['o'];
else damAlleles = ['O', 'o'];
for (var i = 0; i < damAlleles.length; i++) {
var damGives = damAlleles[i];
var genotype = '';
// Sorting for consistency: O first
if (sireGives === 'O' && damGives === 'O') genotype = 'Red';
else if (sireGives === 'o' && damGives === 'o') genotype = 'Black';
else genotype = 'Tortie'; // One O, one o
if (!femaleColors.includes(genotype)) {
femaleColors.push(genotype);
}
}
// 4. Generate Final List based on Dilution and Pattern
function generateList(baseColors, isFemale) {
var finalOutput = [];
for (var c = 0; c < baseColors.length; c++) {
var base = baseColors[c];
// Determine Dense vs Dilute versions
var densities = [];
if (dilution.dense) densities.push('Dense');
if (dilution.dilute) densities.push('Dilute');
for (var d = 0; d < densities.length; d++) {
var density = densities[d];
// Determine Color Name based on Density
var colorName = '';
if (base === 'Red') {
colorName = (density === 'Dense') ? 'Red' : 'Cream';
} else if (base === 'Black') {
colorName = (density === 'Dense') ? 'Black' : 'Blue';
} else if (base === 'Tortie') {
colorName = (density === 'Dense') ? 'Tortoiseshell' : 'Blue-Cream (Dilute Tortie)';
}
// Determine Pattern
// For Torties, pattern adds "Torbie" or "Solid Tortie"
// For Red/Cream, they always look Tabby visually, but we list genetic status usually
var patterns = [];
if (possibleTabby) patterns.push('Tabby');
if (possibleSolid) patterns.push('Solid');
for (var p = 0; p < patterns.length; p++) {
var pat = patterns[p];
var displayName = '';
if (base === 'Tortie') {
if (pat === 'Tabby') {
// Torbie
if (density === 'Dense') displayName = 'Brown Torbie (Patch Tabby)';
else displayName = 'Blue-Cream Torbie'; // Or Blue Torbie
} else {
// Solid Tortie (Smoke is distinct, assume basic solid)
displayName = colorName; // "Tortoiseshell" or "Blue-Cream"
}
} else {
// Standard colors
if (pat === 'Tabby') {
if (colorName === 'Black') displayName = 'Brown Tabby'; // Black tabby is Brown Tabby
else if (colorName === 'Blue') displayName = 'Blue Tabby';
else if (colorName === 'Red') displayName = 'Red Tabby';
else if (colorName === 'Cream') displayName = 'Cream Tabby';
} else {
// Solid
if (colorName === 'Black') displayName = 'Black Solid';
else if (colorName === 'Blue') displayName = 'Blue Solid';
else if (colorName === 'Red') displayName = 'Red Solid (with ghost markings)';
else if (colorName === 'Cream') displayName = 'Cream Solid (with ghost markings)';
}
}
// Avoid duplicates if logic created them
if (!finalOutput.includes(displayName)) {
finalOutput.push(displayName);
}
}
}
}
return finalOutput.sort();
}
var maleFinal = generateList(maleColors, false);
var femaleFinal = generateList(femaleColors, true);
// 5. Display Results
var maleListHtml = '';
if (maleFinal.length === 0) maleListHtml = '