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Orivet Review

Thursday, September 28th

2023 Cat DNA Test Kit Reviews

Orivet Review 2.5 Star Rating

Orivet

2.5 Star Rating
  • "A+" Better Business Bureau rating
  • Free standard shipping
  • Results come via email in 3-6 weeks
  • Breed-specific tests

Orivet's goal is to help pet owners safeguard the well-being of their cats and dogs with breed-specific care. Their premise is built on the idea that every animal is unique and has its own set of traits, behaviors, genetic health needs, and inherent risks that pet owners should understand in order to provide the best health care. Orivet has operations in Australia, the USA, Europe, and Japan and is an institutional member of the International Small Animal Genetic Society.

Breed-specific testing

The main test kit offered by Orivet for cats is the Purebred Cat Full Breed Profile for $94.95. The five types of breeds this works for are Abyssinian, British Shorthair/Longhair, Burmese, Maine Coon, and Ragdoll. The test examines over 30 health and trait tests specific to the breed of cat you have. It will screen for the most common diseases that typically affect your cat's breed and detail how to establish a wellness plan to move forward if your pet is genetically predisposed to one or more of them.

Relevant test results

If your cat is a breed that isn't tested by the Purebred Cat Full Breed Profile, there are other specific tests you can order. You can look up the breed of your cat and view tests that are specific to them. For example, if you have an American Ringtail, you can order a comprehensive genetic profile test for $119, a disease screening for $120, a polycystic kidney disease test for $45, or test for eight different types of traits that range between $45 and $120. The idea is that you will get results specific to your cat and not have to overpay for disease screenings that don't actually affect your breed. Unfortunately, Orivet doesn't offer a test that will tell you your cat's breed if you don't already know it.

Need more details about kits

One thing we were disappointed by is that most of the tests offered by Orivet for your cat don't have a listed turnaround time or sample report to view. You can read the description of what is tested for and then add it to your cart, but we aren't sure what the exact method of collecting samples is for each given test since the contents of test kits are not listed. This is something that pet owners will want to know, so it would be nice for Orivet to add some clarification.

Best Cat DNA Test Kits

Free standard shipping

All cat DNA kits are shipped to customers free of charge. They ship in 1-2 business days from the date the order was created, so you should receive your kit fairly quickly. However, one issue we ran into at checkout was an error message saying that the kit we wanted could not be shipped to the address we provided. This was disappointing since we entered a typical residential address within the United States. It makes us wonder if for some reason certain regions are excluded from receiving Orivet kits even though they don't mention that.

No cancellation policy

You can expect to receive your Orivet results via email within 3-6 weeks. If you decide to cancel your Orivet kit before receiving results or sending in your sample, you will probably be out of luck since there is no cancellation policy here. This usually means the company doesn't accept cancellations and all sales are final, so you won't get a refund either.

Customers aren't thrilled

Orivet has a satisfactory "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, but there aren't a ton of customer reviews for this company. From what feedback there is, people have mixed feelings about Orivet. While some customers have used multiple kits from them and are pleased with results, many others report poor communication from the company's reps and extremely slow turnaround times. Overall, people are not thrilled with their experience with Orivet. Because of this and a lack of other important details about their kits, we have not given Orivet a very high rating among providers of cat DNA tests.

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.

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.
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 Reviews of Cat DNA Test Kits