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Wednesday, August 17th
HomeDNA provides DNA kits for humans as well as cats and dogs. They process all the test kit results through their DNA Diagnostics Center in Ohio. HomeDNA was founded in 1995 with the belief that technological advancements in DNA should be available to everyone by making prices more affordable. Every year they handle over one million DNA samples and focus on giving back to the community through their support of the Innocence Project where DNA evidence is used to exonerate wrongly convicted persons. HomeDNA promises to keep private information safe and secure and they destroy all DNA samples once results are processed.
Simple but expensive DNA test
For cat owners, HomeDNA offers just one option for DNA tests. Their Cat DNA Health Screen and Life Plan costs $125 and screens your cat for over 40 genetic diseases and traits. It also includes an interactive online Life Plan that's meant to help you meet your cat's health needs over the course of their lifetime. What exactly this entails, we aren't sure since the sample report of the life plan is only one page long and just shows the breed of the cat, weight, sex, color, pedigree, and ID. From what we see, this is not worth $125.
Easy sample collection process
When you purchase a screening from HomeDNA, you'll receive a test kit that includes two sterile DNA collection swabs, an information brochure and instructions for how to collect your cat's DNA sample. It only takes about 15 seconds per swab to collect a sample from your cat's cheeks and gums. After you mail your sample back with the postage-paid envelope to HomeDNA, the company says you'll receive your results within three weeks.
Call or email to cancel
If you decide to cancel your order, you'll need to do it before you send in your cat's cheek swab sample to HomeDNA or you won't be eligible for a refund. You can contact them by phone or email to work through the cancellation process.
Not your best bet
If HomeDNA offers amazing results from their cat DNA tests, they don't do a great job of proving it. For as much as they charge for a test kit, they give very little detail about how much you'll get in return. Their sample reports are unimpressive and it seems like you'll easily get so much more for your money from another company. We weren't able to find many customer reviews about the reliability of the cat DNA tests because people have only written about the human ancestry categories. Even though HomeDNA has an "A+" Better Business Bureau rating, they are not one of our top choices if you want a lot of information about your cat's health and genetic background.
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.
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:
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!
Select any 2 Cat DNA Test Kits to compare them head to head