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The Best Cat DNA Test Kits

Where is the Best Place to Get a Cat DNA Test?

Most people consider their cats and other pets to practically be members of their family. Over the years, our society has become increasingly interested in DNA testing to know where we come from and where we get certain traits from. So why wouldn't we want to know this same information about our pet?

With new technologies, cat DNA testing allows people to discover their cat's genome to get a deeper look into their breed and all that comes along with it. There are hundreds of genetic markers that can be identified through a DNA test of your cat. These markers provide insights about genetic health conditions, dental health, and traits.

Tuesday, March 19th

2024 Cat DNA Test Kit Reviews

Basepaws Review Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award 5 Star Rating

Basepaws

5 Star Rating Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

Basepaws is a professional company that provides a deep dive into a cat's oral health and genome to help pet owners be proactive about medical decisions. They have an oral health test as well as breed and health test kits that can be done from home within minutes. Basepaws has reasonable prices and offers free two-way shipping for customers. Their reports are impressive and give more information than some other companies provide, so you're getting good value here. Customers are happy with their DNA test kits from Basepaws, and this provider has earned our highest rating.

Wisdom Panel Review 4.5 Star Rating

Wisdom Panel

4.5 Star Rating

Wisdom Panel offers DNA tests for cats and dogs. They have just one main test for cats that was recently launched that gives pet owners information about their cat's breed, health, and traits. It's an inclusive test that gives all the basic information that a cat owner might be looking for at a reasonable price. Wisdom Panel offers free shipping and a 60-day product promise to make sure customers are happy with their purchase. Overall, pet owners are happy with their decision to work with Wisdom Panel, so they've earned one of our highest ratings.

Easy DNA Review 3.5 Star Rating

Easy DNA

3.5 Star Rating

EasyDNA specializes in DNA testing for people, cats, dogs, horses, and even birds. There are four types of test kits featured by this company, but at the time of this review, only three were available. Genetic DNA testing for information about cats' breed and ancestry is still in the works through EasyDNA. From what is available, customers are overall happy with their results and feel the information they receive is a huge help in knowing how to treat their cats to give them the healthiest life possible and stay proactive in their care. At this time EasyDNA has earned an average review from us, but we are anxious for them to offer their genetic DNA test and would likely give them a higher ranking once they do.

Home DNA Review 3 Star Rating

Home DNA

3 Star Rating

HomeDNA specializes in paternity tests, ancestry and lineage tests, basic pet DNA tests, and even sells skincare analyses and tests for optimizing healthy weight through your genetics. We wish there were more details about exactly what is screened for in the cat DNA tests since the description is very basic. This company doesn't seem to offer as much value as their competitors, so you'll get more for your money if you order from a higher-rated site instead.

Orivet Review 2.5 Star Rating

Orivet

2.5 Star Rating

Orivet has one main cat testing DNA kit that screens for common diseases and traits relevant to the breed of your cat. They have other tests that are based on your cat's breed, but they don't have a DNA test to tell you what breed your cat is if you don't already know it. Shipping is free and their price is comparable to DNA kits offered by rival companies, but they don't provide as much information as other companies do about their kits. We wish Orivet had a cancellation or refund policy on their products so that we felt more confident in their dedication to customer satisfaction. They don't seem to offer quite as much value as some other companies and they have disappointing customer reviews, so Orivet isn't one of our favorite options for cat DNA testing.

Cat DNA Test  Review 1.5 Star Rating

Cat DNA Test

1.5 Star Rating

Cat DNA Test has a painfully boring website with a lot of scientific information that may not be easy for everyone to digest. The website is text-heavy, making it overwhelming to read through and understand what your options are for testing your cat's DNA. There aren't a lot of details about each test, no turnaround times are listed, and we aren't sure how you receive a report once the DNA test is complete. In addition, you have to gather your own materials and pay to mail in samples to Cat DNA Test, so this is all around a frustrating company to deal with. We don't recommend using them for cat DNA testing.

Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Your cat can't tell you when they're sick, so the more information you have about their overall health and the risk factors they carry, the more proactive you can be in their care. You'll also come to understand how your cat's breed affects their temperament and personality, which will better help you meet their emotional needs..

There are a few different companies online that offer DNA test kits for your cat and other pets. You can easily compare the costs and reported accuracy of these DNA test kits between companies to ensure you choose the best option.

Once you select the company you want to work with, they'll usually ship you a kit and all you have to do is collect a quick cheek swab from your cat's mouth and follow the instructions for how to properly package your sample back in the mail. It only takes a few weeks or less to receive results and most companies have comprehensive online portals for you to view your cat's genetic makeup.

There are many companies that sell cat DNA tests, so we have provided important information when considering which company to use:

  • Results: How much information is provided with each test kit? How accurate does the company claim their results are and how accurate do customers think the company is? Besides finding out their breed, you'll want details about inherited traits and possible health conditions to know as much about your cat as possible.
  • Cost: How much do DNA tests cost compared to what's offered by other companies? If you order more than one kit, is there a possibility for a discount or free shipping? If the company you're interested in runs holiday or other seasonal sales, that would be an ideal time to purchase their DNA kit and save a bit of money.
  • Reputation: What do customers say about their experience with buying from the business, turnaround time of results, and ease of use for the DNA test kit? Is it a popular company that a lot of people buy from? Does the company have a rating with the Better Business Bureau?

TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best places to purchase a DNA test kit for your cat. We hope this information helps you find the right test to give you all the guidance you need to keep your four-legged friend healthy and happy!

The Best Cat DNA Test Kits Compare Cat DNA Test Kits Compare Cat DNA Test Kit Reviews What are the best Cat DNA Test Kits Best Cat DNA Test Kit Reviews

Cat DNA Test Kit FAQ

The vast majority of companion cats are not pedigreed, so much of their genetic makeup remains a mystery unless it is tested. With a cat DNA test you'll learn their breed, breed group connections, personality traits, and potential health problems they may experience down the road. You'll gain greater insight into why your cat behaves the way it does and how to keep it happy and thriving.
Besides having a greater appreciation for where your cat comes from, one of the most significant benefits of a cat DNA test is screening for mutation carrier status and predisposition for diseases. Dental disease in particular is a reality for many cats, so understanding their oral and physical health will give you the chance to be proactive in their overall physical care. The results from the DNA test can be shared with your veterinarian so they know what diseases to look out for, when to create preventative plans, and discuss treatment options when necessary.
Not exactly. You'll always get basic information like your cat's breed from a DNA test, but not all companies look for the same genetic markers. Some might examine 115 markers, while another test will be slightly more extensive and look at 150. Some tests will give additional insight into parentage or other really specific health conditions like spinal muscular atrophy. You'll want to pick a company that offers the best value and tests for genetic conditions you have concerns about.
Collecting a DNA sample from your cat is one of the easiest parts of the whole process. Each kit comes with specific instructions, but typically you'll use a swab to swipe around the cheeks, gums, and teeth of your cat for about ten seconds. Then you'll carefully preserve the sample with the materials provided by the company and mail it back in to be analyzed.
On average, 4-6 weeks seems to be the typical amount of time it takes for you to get your results. However, some companies are a lot faster and claim that they will get your cat's DNA test information to you in as little as 10 days. Be sure to pay attention to the turnaround time listed by the company so you know what to expect.
Most companies will alert you by email once your results are available. You'll either get a comprehensive report in your inbox or a link to an online portal that deep dives into the information about your cat's breed, health markers, oral health condition, and more. If you have additional questions about what you learn, there are usually representatives from the company available to explain the report to you.
Customers should expect to pay anywhere from $45 for a very basic genetic panel to $150 for a comprehensive test that goes over a lot of genetic markers and comes with a thorough report. Each company's pricing is slightly different since not all tests are exactly the same and some include more than others. If you have more than one cat you're testing, most companies offer discounts when you purchase additional kits.
Many companies will give a statistic as to how accurate their test kits are. However, if you receive results that don't seem to match up with your cat, you should be able to contact the company and get your money back. Keep an eye out for a good satisfaction guarantee from the company you buy from. It also helps to review feedback from other customers who have purchased cat DNA tests from the company to make sure they have good things to say about the accuracy, value, and timeliness of the reports.
The Best Reviews of Cat DNA Test Kits