I tried the best pet’s DNA test kits in my two cats (2025)
If you have a dog, consider these kits
I don’t have dogs, so I didn’t try these DNA test kits at home for dogs, but these kits are specifically for Basepaws and Panel Wisdom, the two companies I tested for my cats.
How does the DNA test kit do?
DNA PET tests rely on PET owners who collect cells for testing through a species swab, where the sample is in a stabilized fluid or preservation of fluids for transit. You send the sample to the laboratory in the pre -payment envelope. It takes up to five weeks for the result. (The first time I sent the BasePaws Cat Rasil sample, the company sent the company by email that the results are unsuccessful, and I have to wait for another kit to send, drown her again and wait another five weeks for the result.)
In the laboratory, the sample is analyzed against the race database and genetic health of the company. They use single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays – standard technology used to identify breed ancestors – as well as various hereditary traits and the risk of common diseases. In essence, different races have distinct SNP patterns in their genomes that act as genetic markers. These tests analyze the DNA PET sample for specific SNPs and then compare them with the company’s existing database to estimate the composition of race in the animal. This not only tells you about the composition of the race, it can also identify specific DNA sequences that indicate the potential health risks, such as prone to disease or hereditary cancers.
However, do not consider the results of health test or DNA as an absolute truth. “This can lead to a false sense of security or false warnings,” says Amanda Chambers, a veterinarian. Transfer your results to your veterinarian, and if your pet is specified as a carrier for any genetic disease, always follow up with a veterinarian visit.
DNA test kits limit at home
After chatting with Jimmy Richardson, the head of the Veterinary Veterinary Medicine, I found out that these areas were the most important restrictions with DNA test kits at home:
- The results depend on the size/variety of genetic databases
- Most kits only test the known indicators – not the perfect genome
- Cat data is less developed
- Incorrect interpretation of results can lead to unnecessary concern
How accurate is the DNA test at home?
The WISDOM panel claims that its breed results are more than 98 % accurate for cats and that dog tests are more than 99 % accurate.
I have described the following results, so you can see the differences in the results of the two tested kits, especially with the ancestors.
One of the widespread inequality problems in the results is that the two companies have different sizes and criteria for identifying races. But the biggest thing for cat owners who use these DNA tests at home is that you really can’t identify cats in the way you can with dogs. Unless your cat is pure, about 95 percent of the cats are not known for a race. The genetic background of cats is muddy – they are only similar mixtures with different physical properties, so experiments only show race (s) that share the most markers. In essence, these tests for cats are not able to confidence in the race composition, just like the attributes of other breeds in the company’s data pool.
From my research, it seems that part of the race’s identification of these tests is more accurate for dogs, as the dog’s DNA is much more varied. The breeds have been clearly defined after centuries of diversification of other races, and the dog’s DNA rapidly jumps, and the genes change rapidly after just a few generations. Cats are not much different from their Egyptian ancestors.
Interestingly, in this report from CBS in 2023, DOG and DNA news agency sent human test companies at home and received various results, from 65 to 29 % of German DNA ShePherd for dogs. The results of human DNA were attributed to the Buldag mixture, border and canned Corso mixture.
Tl; Doctor
There is no one way to determine the genetic makeup of a pet or ancestors. Humans love the categories. And races are essentially human structures, based on how the dog or cat look. The genetic part of the experiment is fun, but consume it with a salt grain – especially with cats.
The results of ancestors
If you have read above, you know that there is a significant difference in the results based on the pool based on the pool.
For example, below the result I received for the Cat Clover, which is a diluted, white, white fur and more visually resembles a Norwegian Coon Mine or Cat.
(I also tested my gray cat basil from my mill, but he was almost completely “American Cat” and “Polyle Cat/Home Shirts”-Generally the final boss of death, the result of many generations of mixing between different types of cats, where the ancestors and origin are almost impossible).
Health results
Wisdom panel tests for 49 tendency to genetic health by comparing DNA PET against the panel of cat or dog genetic health studies. This experiment for the top five genetic conditions that can affect the PET visit – in essence, the most common conditions seen in cats or dogs with similar makeup such as your pet. These are for things like drug sensitivity, immunity and bleeding disorders. They also identified the type of cat’s blood (both my cats were A) and the risk of blood transfusion (both average).
Basic tests for a maximum of 115 hygienic markers, but my cat has received results only for 44 genetic diseases (owners are encouraged to check the results with more data adding more data if more data is added). The list felt deeper than testing the Wisdom panel, testing genes for markers against the disorders of musculoskeletal and connective skeletal tissue. The eye; Metabolic systems, autoimmune and endocrine. Blood and most of my cats, clover and basil, were erased as any of the genes that identify them as the potential carrier of genetic diseases. It also identified the type of blood and the risk of blood transfusions, which were one and average (the same result I received with the Wisdom panel test).
If your pet is being banned for each of these results, don’t be afraid. “The presence of a particular gene does not always mean that the patient causes a specific disorder with which the gene is accompanied by just that they are at greater risk. I encourage owners if they have questions after receiving the results of the DNA test,” says Chambers.
Oral Health Results
The Wisdom panel does not display for oral health, which is a major problem in many pets and can lead to larger teeth and health problems.
Oral health was a concern for me and basic testing for oral health by experimenting with an oral microbiome database. In this respect, Basepaws win.
According to BasePaws results, the clover was low -risk periodontal disease and tooth absorption, but at high risk of halitosis. The report said that bad breath can indicate a larger health issue, but he was cleared for the disease, so I wasn’t sure what to do with this information.
With respect from Molly Higgins
My other cat, Basil, was at high risk for all the dental markers mentioned above, and BasePaws faced a treatment plan: “Take oral health care one day, consider basil everyday with products accepted by the Veterinary Health Council, and plan with your veterinarian.
With respect from Molly Higgins
Although I was worried about the results, I liked that BasePaws would advise me the next steps so that I could face a practical plan for care. And it is important to note that these results do not necessarily mean guaranteeing a pet to cause disease.
“These can be a useful flag for your veterinarian to pay attention […] “It doesn’t necessarily mean an aggressive test at that moment,” says Richardson. DNA tests are a tool to support side care. “
Results
Both experiments had this section that performs color traits and coats, but I considered it to be most useless. The Wisdom panel claims about the physical characteristics of both cats were correct. But despite the base, the clover, a diluted caliko, was marked as a black color.
I can see with my eyes how my cat (s) looks like, but if you aren’t a genetic, it may be interesting to see what the real DNA reflects.
A note about allergy test kits at home
I recently tested both my cats because of their allergies and intolerance using a similar home test kit, 5Strands Pet Food test and environmental intolerance for $ 100. To do this, you only need to send a fur sample to the laboratory by letter. The results were sent to my inbox within seven days. The report shows that both my cats showed severe intolerance to common substances in their diet, such as different types of fish and chicken food. This sent me to the horror of the health and (DIS) of my cats.
After further research, I have learned that hair/fur samples are not an accurate way to measure allergies and intolerance, and studies show that kits claim that these results are not better than luck and often produce contradictory or inaccurate results.
“There is no scientific evidence to support allergies through hair, fur or saliva,” says Richardson. “Veterinary Diets Tested by hypertension and intra -group skin tests or blood tests inside the excretion are standard gold allergies testing.”
So, if you think your pet is suffering from allergies or intolerance, save money and consult.
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