Has it ever crossed your mind to ponder your cat’s rich heritage while admiring its adorable face? Perhaps you’re curious about whether your cat is a pure breed or not. If so, it might be time to consider a cat DNA test for your feline companion! This year, there are three main options for cat genetic test kits:
- Basepaws
- catDNAtest.org
- ORIVET
What is Cat DNA Test and What Can It Tell You?
A cat DNA test is a way to uncover your cat’s genetic identity. It involves collecting DNA samples, which can be done in several ways, such as swabbing the inside of their cheeks or taking a blood sample from a licensed veterinarian.
So, how does this test actually work? It typically begins with the purchase of a cat DNA test kit available on the market. You can then follow the instructions provided with the kit or visit the manufacturer’s website for more guidance. Next, you’ll need to obtain a DNA sample from your cat. Once you have the sample, you’ll send it to the address specified in the kit and await notification of the results. Most often, you can access the DNA test results by logging into the testing company’s website.
There are numerous advantages to conducting a DNA test on your cats, especially if you’ve recently adopted them from a shelter or if they were formerly stray cats. This test can provide valuable insights into your cat’s genetic makeup and help you take better care of them. Curious about what kind of information this test can reveal? Here are some key insights it can offer:
- Breed of the Cat
- Traits of the Cat
- Health and Health Risks of the Cat
- Ancestry and/or Parentage of the Cat
- Wild Cat Connection
Breed of the Cat
Photo Basepaws
A cat DNA kit can provide you the genetic makeup of your feline companion. This can come in percentage and is a great way to know if you have doubts that your cat is a pure breed. This is also beneficial for cat parents that have adopted their feline babies from shelters and rescue organizations or have rescued a stray cat. Most often, cats from the shelters and the streets are mixed breed and are identified with just their physical appearance. With the test, you can now identify if your feline baby is really a purebred Ragdoll or if it really a crossbreed of Persian and Siamese.
Traits of the Cat
A DNA test for your cat can also help you to know its traits. It can show and explain the colors and patterns of your cat’s fur, and sometimes even the color pigmentation. Inherited traits can also be identified with the test. It can also show what will be the color pattern of the cat’s future offspring if you breed it with a specific group of cats like longhairs. This new knowledge can be fun and exciting as you tend to learn more about the identity of your cat.
Health and Health Risks of the Cat
This is one of the big factors or benefits that any cat owner can have from doing a DNA test kit on them. Most often, the test kits offer these results which help you to know and understand the health status of your cat. The test can also show the health risks associated with your cat’s DNA and breed. It can also be determined if your feline baby is positive for any of the genetic diseases tested using their DNA sample. This can help you take better care of your cat in the future and take proactive measures for the possible diseases that it can have. This will also help you know which cats are prone to specific diseases and if your cat has some diseases that came from in-breeding.
Ancestry and/or Parentage of the Cat
This can be shown depending on which cat genetic kit you choose. The ancestry result can help you know which breeds have the potential to match with your cat. This is also a big help for breeders. Parentage, on the other hand, can tell you if your cat’s parents are direct tom or queen or a kitten of the two. It can also determine if your cat can be a parent with strong genes.
Wild Cat Connection
Yes, it is possible to know if your feline baby has a long link connection to a wild cat. We all know that cats are not domesticated animals before and are also wandering in the wild like wildcats. A DNA test done on your cat can show if it has an inherited DNA from wildcats such as the leopard, jaguar, lion, and lynx. The result is often shown in percentage value for each wildcat which states the ranking in the similarity of your cat to its wild relative. Who knows? Maybe your cute cat is a descendant of a mighty lion.
How Much Will Cat DNA Kit Cost?
Now that you’re aware of the benefits of conducting a DNA test on your cat, you might be wondering, ‘How much does a cat DNA test kit cost?’ Well, it depends. Test kits can range from $45 up to $599, with the price varying based on the number of tests included, such as cat health risks and genetic traits. There are also additional tests available to further explore your cat’s identity.
Ready to choose the perfect test kit for your cat? We’ve got you covered! Below, you’ll find a list of cat DNA test kits available on the market in 2021.
Best Cat DNA Kits Available in 2021
Basepaws Cat DNA Test Kit
The Basepaws cat DNA Test kit is offered from $99 to $499 and offering three main DNA kits:
- Breed Groups DNA Test ($99)
- Breed + Health DNA Test ($149)
- Whole Genome DNA Test ($599)
The options included in this test kit are breed + health tests, breed group tests, breed + 2 health tests, and breed + 3 health tests. The tests done in each test kits are a comparison of 4 major breed groups, a wild cat index, and a chromosome map. Without a doubt, it’s the best cat DNA kit available on the market. Сheck more information and options on the official website (we highly recommend getting it from their website).
The wild cat index is a test that is done to identify the percentage of the wild cat ancestry of your cat. In the chromosome map, a visualization of your cat’s genetic codes in relation to popular cat breeds is shown. The result of the tests is in 35 or more pages and includes 39 cat gene mutations which are corresponding to 17 feline diseases and conditions including Polycystic kidney disease, retinal degeneration, and Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The results will also show if your cat has tested positive or negative for certain diseases and if they are cleat or at high risk with diseases. Knowing this can help you to manage properly your cat’s health condition and to do preventive measures regarding the diseases in which they are at risk to have.
To collect your cat’s DNA sample, simply swab your cat’s inner cheek for 5 to 10 seconds, then send the samples to Basepaws. Results are typically available within 4 to 6 weeks. To access the results, cat owners must have an account on the Basepaws website. Notably, some tests, like the wild cat index, can indicate your cat’s ranking compared to other Basepaws cats in terms of a connection with a wildcat. Personally, I found this cat genetic test kit quite impressive.
Customers have been impressed with the speed of service, the ease of obtaining the DNA sample, and the accuracy of the results. Many have expressed satisfaction with the comprehensive health risk analysis, which has helped them better understand and care for their cats. Additionally, reasons for liking this product include free shipping when sending samples to Basepaws, detailed and specific results, and the overall accuracy of the test results.
Check more information on the official website.
catDNAtest.org
This test by catDNAtest.org is very affordable as it only costs $45. The evaluation tests included are identity markers and sex determinate markers, parentage, health, and traits. It can also use blood samples instead of a DNA sample or buccal swabs of your cat. A minimum of 1ml of blood sample is required in order for the test to be processed.
The buccal swabs need to be air-dried before sending them to the designated address. A filled-out form containing you and your cat’s information is needed to be included in the package that will be sent back to them. The test results include the possible health risks of the cat such as heart disease, lysosomal storage disorders, late-onset blindness, and PK deficiency. Traits of your cat such as the distribution of the pigment on the fur, colors of the coat, and hair length, can also be seen in the results. They also offer add-on tests that are in $5 and $15. The $5 add-on test includes testing for
- polycystic kidney disease
- blood type
- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for Maine Coon breeds
- color points for Burmese and Siamese breeds and albinism.
Spinal muscular atrophy for Maine Coons is offered at $15. A DNA certificate and the test results will be sent to the customer’s email within 30 days after they submitted the sample. They also stated that the results will be confidential and will be only shared with the cat’s owner.
ORIVET Cat DNA Test Kit
Photo ORIVET
Next on the line is the cat DNA testing kit by Orivet which is sold at about $75 (check the current price here). This test kit has a personalized plan aiming for the wellness of your cat and you can share this with your cat’s veterinarian so that you can work hand-in-hand. This life plan will also help you to understand your cat more and will help you to give them the proper care they need. Identified in this test kit are your cat’s health risk, traits, and blood group.
The DNA sample will be screened for more than 200 genetic diseases and traits. The test result includes an analysis of:
- the cat’s health risk
- traits
- the blood group.
The health risk analysis identifies your cat’s most relevant health risks, considering factors such as breed, age, genetics, location, lifestyle, and gender. Specific breed-related diseases are also highlighted in the report.
Inside the kit, you’ll find three sterile swabs, clear instructions for collecting your cat’s DNA sample, and an informative brochure. To access the test results, customers must create an online account on the website. Users have praised the product for its user-friendly DNA sample collection process, easy-to-follow kit, and its durability. They are particularly impressed with the accuracy and thoroughness of the results, which cover essential cat diseases. Furthermore, customers appreciate that the kit provides valuable insights into their cats’ care needs, helping ensure their pets enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life.
Check more information and get this kit from Amazon.
Cat DNA Test Kits Conclusion
Now that we’ve explored the cat DNA test kits available on the market, I hope you have a better idea of which one suits your needs. Remember, your cat’s safety and well-being come first. Treating your cat like a cherished family member means understanding more about them, including their health risks. Conducting this test can empower you to proactively manage your cat’s health, take preventive measures, and meet their specific needs. These cat DNA tests can even provide you with a fresh perspective or way on how to deal and take care of your cat. Get one from BasePaws (check the current price here).
RELATED: Speaking of proactively managing your cat’s health, why not explore our in-depth guide on the Best Cat Health Monitoring Litters in 2023? Give your cat the gift of optimal health and peace of mind. Your feline friend’s well-being deserves the best care possible.
Leave a Comment