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Monday, July 7th
Orivet Genetic Pet Care, a global pet genetic testing organization, offers a range of dog and cat DNA tests to pet owners, breeders, and veterinarians in over 70 countries. Based in Australia and Florida, with offices in the UK, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Japan, they provide free delivery in Australia, USA, the UK, and Europe. A $10 discount is available if you sign up for their newsletter.
Basic breed identification for $109
Orivet offers three tests for dog breed identification. The first one, typically priced at $109 but on sale for $94.99 when we visited, identifies your dog's breed from over 350 options. The report will tell you what percentage of each breed makes up your dog. The second test, usually $169.95 but sometimes on sale for $158.95, does everything the first test does and also screens your pet for over 250 diseases and traits, highlighting the ones relevant to your dog's breed.
Unique purebred DNA test
Orivet's third offering is a DNA test for purebred dogs, unique among dog DNA test kit providers. Priced at $119, this test is specifically designed for a variety of breeds, including Australian Shepherds, Beagles, Border Collies, French Bulldogs, and quite a few more. Just select your breed from a dropdown list at checkout. This test screens your purebred dog for over 280 health and trait factors, but you'll only see the results that are relevant to your particular breed in the report.
Personalized LifePlan comes with every test
When you make a purchase from Orivet, you also receive their LifePlan, a customized wellness program for your dog, informed by a variety of factors including the breeds identified in your dog's DNA. For example, if the test reveals your dog is part Border Collie, the wellness plan might include recommendations for a change in diet or an increase of physical activity. The LifePlan also considers your dog's age, weight, and sex. So if your dog is in her golden years or has been indulging in too many treats, the plan would include appropriate care tips. Even the location and lifestyle of your dog are factored in. If your dog is a city slicker leading a mostly indoor lifestyle, for instance, the LifePlan would reflect that.
Get results in 2-3 weeks
Using Orivet's kit won't cause your dog any discomfort. You'll use a swab to collect cells from your dog's cheek, which should only take a minute. After letting the swab dry for about 15 minutes, you're ready to send it back to them. (It seems like your kit will include a prepaid envelope, but Orivet's wording is a little vague.) Supposedly, once Orivet has received your dog's DNA, you can expect to see your dog's results in your online account in about 2 to 3 weeks. However, that hasn't been everyone's experience.
Poor reliability on result delivery
Despite having a perfect rating from the Better Business Bureau, Orivet has dozens of customers reporting long waits for results and poor communication from this company's support reps. One customer said they sent in their dog's DNA sample, but after not hearing anything for a month, they were told their sample was probably in a room filled with others. Eventually, they were told their sample failed because they didn't follow instructions. After going through the whole process again and still not getting results, the customer asked for a refund and finally got their money back. Other customers never received results or a refund. According to a lot of people, it can be hard to get an email back from Orivet's customer support.
Ambiguous refund terms and conditions
Orivet's refund policy is a bit confusing. If you cancel your DNA test after Orivet has logged in your sample, you can get a refund minus a $25 administration and processing fee. If you return your test, you might have to pay a restocking fee, and Orivet will only accept returns after they give written agreement. But they also say that if you're not happy with your test results, they will issue a refund "less costs of the test requested.” That makes it sound like there's an extra fee somewhere on top of what you paid for the kit, otherwise, what would Orivet be refunding you?
Not worth the risk
While Orivet's pricing is more or less competitive, we're not confident enough in their follow-through to recommend them very highly. We think Orivet's practice of losing customer samples, then passing the blame onto the customer is unacceptable. On top of that, there have been murmurs that their DNA kits may just be a competitor's kit, licensed and rebranded for Orivet's purposes. So, we think purchasing a dog DNA kit here is just not worth the potential risk of losing your investment, especially if you can get the same thing from a more trustworthy vendor.
Have you ever looked at your dog, with her mismatched ears and quirky habits, and thought, "What in the world are you?" Well, you're not alone. Many dog owners are turning to DNA tests out of curiosity about their furry friend's breed, health predispositions, and even unique behavioral traits.
Whether you adopted your pup from a shelter with a mysterious past, or simply want to understand why your dog insists on greeting any visitors with a toy in his mouth, a DNA test might just hold the answers. However, there are quite a few services offering dog DNA tests these days, so you may be wondering if one is much different from the other.
Some tests focus solely on identifying breed composition, which can be fascinating for owners of mutts - who knew your funny-looking Boston Terrier has a Chow Chow great-grandparent? If you want to be proactive in managing your pet's health, you might prefer a test that screens for genetic health conditions. Some tests analyze traits and behaviors, shedding light on why your dog might exhibit certain habits, like digging up your dahlias or barking exclusively at his reflection in the oven door.
Some popular dog DNA tests also offer a relative database feature, connecting you with other dogs that share your pet's DNA. This can be a fun way to "meet" your dog's relatives and possibly even find some siblings. If this is important to you, double-check that the service you're considering offers this.
Some companies out there offer tests that can identify food or drug allergies your dog is likely to have. Other tests can estimate their age. These options can be really useful if something is making your dog sick, or if you're just curious about how old they really are. You may want to pay a little more for a breed identification test that includes health screenings for genetic disorders. This way, you can prepare for potential health issues and discuss preventive measures with your veterinarian.
As you shop online for a dog DNA test, here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
Choosing the right dog DNA test isn't just a walk in the park. It requires careful consideration of these factors. Whether you're driven by curiosity about your dog's breed or concerned about potential health issues, the right test can provide insights that deepen your understanding and strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Top Consumer Reviews has sniffed out and ranked the best Dog DNA Tests available. We hope this review helps you fetch the perfect test for your four-legged buddy, making your shared journey even more pawsome.
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