Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Monday, February 10th
5Strands was started in 2017 by a motivated mom who wanted to shake up the healthcare system. The company made its name in the gluten-free world, attending trade shows and spreading the word about gut health and food intolerances. They claim to provide health assessments that have helped solve tricky health problems, including for the 5Strands team itself. The company's chief technical director, Elaine Byers, says their hair-based food intolerance tests give you a chance to take control of your own health, but they can't function as a diagnostic tool.
Test costs add up fast
5Strands offers nine products for both cats and dogs, with prices ranging from $66 to almost $300. They include:
Some of these tests seem redundant to us. If the idea of trying out the cheaper, less inclusive tests until you find the source of your cat's allergies makes your wallet cringe, you might think about opting for the comprehensive $212 test, which tests for over 460 items.
Hair sample required
You'll start by logging into the 5Strands website and clicking on "Register Kit". You'll need to use the unique ID code that comes with your kit. Next, you'll need to collect some fur from your cat and put it into the provided bag. After that, you'll put the bag back into the kit and mail it back. Finally, about a week after they get your kit, you'll receive your results.
Pseudoscience will be no help to your cat
But is 5Strands' method, called "bioresonance technology," legit? They describe it as "a safe, non-invasive form of assessment for energetic alignments in the human body.” Then they throw out the term "quantum mechanics” and talk about how all matter emits waves, and it seems like they want us to believe you can diagnose an allergy by comparing the waves of an allergen to the waves a cat emits. If that sounds dubious to you, you're not alone. It seems to us like they're using complicated terms like "quantum mechanics" just to sound impressive.
Vets take issue
According to most vets, even blood tests are not useful in identifying allergies - in cats, dogs, or humans. One veterinarian commented, "Hair and saliva tests are wildly inaccurate for food allergy and did not show any difference from random chance. They also had poor repeatability between individual tests. They're marketed direct to consumers largely because they're a scam - and that's not a claim I make lightly.” That's a pretty strong condemnation. The gold standard food allergy test is the elimination diet trial. So, you may need to prepare to put Fluffy on a strict diet to finally solve the mystery of her haunted stomach. (Sorry, Fluffy. It's for your own good.)
30 days for a refund
Reading this review after you already bought a 5Strands test? Here's what we know about their return policy. If you change your mind after buying a test kit, but haven't used it, you can get your money back within 30 days of purchase. You'll need to send it back to get a full refund. If you've used the test kit, followed the recommended 6-week diet plan, and are still not satisfied, you can ask for a refund by emailing them. They'll need proof that your cat followed the diet plan, but they don't tell you what that would constitute.
A company with entitlement issues
5Strands has an "A” from the Better Business Bureau, but no Trustpilot reviews at all. It wasn't hard to find unhappy reviews, though, like from one customer whose cat was found to be intolerant to an essential nutrient, taurine, which is necessary for a cat's survival. There was plenty of derision to be found for the "bioresonance” testing method, which is not scientifically validated. To put the final nail in this coffin, one customer reported that 5Strands' customer service was "appalling”: when the customer left an honest review, the company complained that it was "damaging to their small company” - with no offer to resolve the customer's concerns, just an entitlement to an undeserved good review. From what we've seen, 5Strands doesn't deserve our positive review, either - or your business.
Have you ever gazed into your cat's eyes and thought, "Who are you really, and how did you master the art of knocking things off tables with such precision?" If so, you're not alone in your curiosity. While it's a fun thought to imagine your cat as a descendant of some grand, exotic lineage, the truth is a bit more domestic.
Most cats are not directly related to purebreds since purebred cats make up less than 5% of the global cat population. Unlike dogs, where many can trace their lineage back to distinct breeds, most cats are descendants of a long line of domestic short, medium, or longhair cats. This doesn't make them any less noble, but it does challenge DNA tests that claim to pinpoint a specific breed heritage.
This means that when a cat DNA test throws up a specific breed result, take it with a grain of salt. However, it doesn't mean cat DNA tests are without merit. When it comes to proactively looking after your cat's health, these tests can be incredibly useful.
Cat DNA tests can identify genetic markers associated with diseases, which can be crucial for preventative care and management of potential health issues. For example, some cats are prone to genetic disorders like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, polycystic kidney disease, or even sensitivities to common medications. By identifying these markers early, a cat DNA test can be a powerful tool in preventative pet health care.
By understanding your cat's genetic predispositions, you can make the right choices for their diet, exercise, and environment and make better, more informed decisions in collaboration with your vet.
Here are some things to look for when selecting a cat DNA test:
Getting a handle on these factors can help you pick the best DNA test for your feline friend, offering insights that are both eye-opening and useful. Here at Top Consumer Reviews, we've put Cat DNA Tests under the microscope and ranked the crème de la crème. We hope this review helps you zero in on the ultimate company that caters to both your curiosity and your care for your cat, guaranteeing dependable results paired with top-notch support.
Select any 2 Cat DNA Test Kits to compare them head to head