We Do Cat Testing Which I Do at Home - Again
Randa Kriss
Randa is a writer & sometime assoc. digital content editor at the American Kennel Social club. She's also mom to 1 Corgi & two orangish cats.
With advances in science, we've grown more and more curious about our ancestry and our Deoxyribonucleic acid – this is why services like 23andMe and AncestryDNA take go then popular. And for cat owners, this curiosity extends to our furry friends: Where does my big orangish tabby true cat come up from?
Although cat DNA tests are adequately new to the market, even more so than dog DNA tests, there are products available that may exist able to offer some insight into the genetic history of our favorite felines.
Read on for more data about the best cat Dna tests, how these tests work, and what they may (or may not) be able to tell you lot about your cat.
Disclaimer: When you lot purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The best cat DNA tests
Truth be told, there are but a few companies that offering calm cat DNA tests to consumers. By far, the most well-known is Basepaws, which allows you to choose from two different test options – a breed and health DNA test and a whole genome sequencing test.
Other options include Orivet, which is primarily health-focused, and Optimal Selection past Wisdom Console, which is designed for breeders.
Here's what you demand to know near these top iii true cat Deoxyribonucleic acid tests:
#1 Ranked: Basepaws

The Basepaws true cat DNA test compares your true cat'due south Dna sequence to sequences from other Basepaws cats and cats within the larger scientific customs. From this testing, you can learn nearly your true cat's breed and breed group connections, wellness markers, and even how genetically similar he is to unlike wild cats.
Basepaws was founded in 2022 by Anna Skay – and in 2019, the company was featured on the ABC bear witness Shark Tank, where Skay accustomed an investment offer. Since then, the company has grown exponentially. Currently, Basepaws participates in numerous research studies promoting feline wellness and wellness, and their genetic tests are highly rated on Amazon.
Basepaws offers two cat DNA examination options: the Breed + Health Deoxyribonucleic acid exam and the Whole Genome Sequencing exam.
The difference? As the name of the exam indicates, the Whole Genome Sequencing test gives you access to your cat's complete genetic information – co-ordinate to Basepaws – up to 10,000 times more than data than other DNA tests.
In add-on, the Whole Genome Sequencing test besides includes unlimited updates equally Basepaws adds new health and trait markers to their study, something that is not offered with the Breed + Wellness test.
Moreover, although different from traditional cat Deoxyribonucleic acid tests, Basepaws recently released a tertiary production, their Cat Dental Health test. This examination looks at the oral microbiome profile of your cat's oral cavity to screen for major dental atmospheric condition.
Overall, the Basepaws true cat DNA test is the most pop option on the market. The Whole Genome Sequencing test, however, is expensive – so if you're non set to spend that much, you might want to opt for the Breed + Health test.
#2 Ranked: Orivet

Unlike the Basepaws cat DNA test, the Orivet exam is completely health-focused. This test volition not provide information about your cat's breed – it's designed for purebred cats, domestic shorthair cats, or domestic long hair cats.
Instead, the Orivet Cat DNA Health Screen & Life Plan test ($84.45) screens your cat for genetic diseases, as well as physical traits. Information technology will too identify your cat's blood type. Orviet volition provide y'all with a health risk analysis based on your true cat'south genetics, breed, age, weight, gender, and more. Yous can then use the information provided to develop a health plan for your cat.
Orivet is a genetic testing system that offers a range of genetic services to breeders, veterinarians, and pet owners – with a mission of promoting the wellness of pets (cats and dogs) with breed-specific care.
As such, in addition to the Cat Deoxyribonucleic acid Health Screen & Life Plan, Orivet offers additional products for cats – these tests, however, are fifty-fifty more specific to individual cat breeds, diseases, or identifying parentage.
Although the Orivet test is less expensive than either of the Basepaws tests, if you're looking to acquire about your true cat'southward brood history, this won't be the option for you lot.
#3 Ranked: Optimal Selection by Wisdom Panel

Similar to the Orivet examination, Optimal Selection by Wisdom Console offers a test that's largely marketed to breeders. The Optimal Selection Feline cat DNA test ($99.99) tin can be used for pedigree or mixed-brood cats; it screens for genetic diseases and physical traits, such as coat colors and coat types.
This examination too evaluates the genetic diversity for the true cat existence tested, equally well as provides the true cat's blood blazon. Once more, like the Orivet test, the Optimal Selection test does non offer information well-nigh a cat's brood makeup or background.
Optimal Selection is the breeder-specific division of Wisdom Panel, a company that offers dissimilar dog Deoxyribonucleic acid tests. Wisdom Console does not offering these Dna tests for cats, but does provide breeder-focused testing through Optimal Choice.
Ultimately, even though the Optimal Selection Feline test is designed for breeders, information technology can provide useful wellness information, as well as interesting data about your cat's physical traits and blood type. It's more than expensive than the Orivet test, but more affordable than the Brood + Health Basepaws examination.
Again, if you're mostly interested in learning about your cat'due south breed makeup, either of the Basepaws tests will be your all-time option.
How do true cat Deoxyribonucleic acid tests piece of work?
When information technology comes down to information technology, the process of testing your cat'due south DNA is the same, no affair which test you cull. First, you can order a test – from Amazon, Chewy, directly from the company, or from another online retailer.
Once your Deoxyribonucleic acid test kit arrives, yous'll use the swab provided to have a sample of your cat's Dna – swabbing the within of their cheek for a few seconds. Next, yous'll secure the cheek swab and transport the Deoxyribonucleic acid sample back to the company for testing.
With Basepaws, for example, you'll return the sample to their Los Angeles laboratory, where they'll extract your true cat's Deoxyribonucleic acid. After sequencing the Deoxyribonucleic acid, they'll piece of work on compiling a report to transport to you with information nigh your cat's genetic profile.
Basepaws test results are usually available within four to six weeks subsequently your true cat'southward Deoxyribonucleic acid sample arrives at the laboratory.
With Basepaws, Orivet, and Optimal Selection, yous'll be able to create and log in to your account and view your results online. Each visitor likewise provides updates as they receive new information or research.
Cat DNA tests and your cat'southward breed
Unlike dog DNA tests, most of the true cat Deoxyribonucleic acid tests on the market do non provide information nigh your cat'south breed and ancestry.
As nosotros've discussed, Basepaws is perhaps ane of the only established companies that offers this capability. In addition to receiving data about your cat'southward genetic health markers, your Basepaws results will contain:
- Breed analysis: Shows your cat's chromosome pairs with regions of genomic similarity to different breed groups
- Wild cat index: Shows your cat'southward genomic similarity to unlike wild cats
- Feline breeds: Gives more information almost the different breeds that makeup your cat's heritage and their personalities
So, why is it so difficult to tell if a cat is a Siamese compared to a Burmese or a Bengal?
In short, unlike dogs – who have been bred for specific tasks for thousands of years – cats have a much more muddled ancestry.
Most cat breeds are less than 100 years old and those that were bred were chosen randomly based on their appearance. Therefore, it's hard to pull breed information from a cat's Dna when there isn't a clear and established beginnings in cats to brainstorm with.
All of this isn't to say that you tin't learn anything from Basepaws or a test that provides brood information – information technology'due south merely not a perfect scientific discipline.
Cat DNA tests and your cat'south health
Every bit nosotros've discussed, it'southward much more than common to see cat DNA testing that focuses on health – especially for breeders. Again, however, it'south important to understand exactly what these Dna tests can tell you about your cat'southward health.
With these Dna tests, the companies are testing for certain health markers associated with feline genetic diseases. These diseases are caused past genetic mutations, and the test will bespeak whether your cat has any of these mutations present in their Deoxyribonucleic acid.
Some of the common genetic diseases that these tests await for are polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which is often seen in Western farsi cats, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is often seen in Ragdolls and Maine Coons.
These tests do not diagnose your true cat with a disease, nor does it prove that they volition never develop whatever of the diseases that they're tested for.
Just like genetic testing in humans, however, these DNA tests can exist used as preventative tools, especially if yous're planning on breeding your cat. They can as well be used to aid you create a plan for your true cat'southward health – simply you lot should always consult with your veterinarian about your results.
Should you lot test your cat'due south Dna?
Cat Dna testing is a new science and the engineering science is constantly evolving. And so, if you're wondering: Is it worth it to examination my cat'south DNA? Yous might turn to the net for answers.
Although some of these cat DNA tests can exist a little pricey, almost of the online reviews are very positive. In addition, Basepaws has been featured in a number of publications (Glamour, Wired) with writers sharing their fun experiences with the tests.
Ultimately, even if yous won't be able to observe out with 100% certainty the dissimilar breeds that make up your cat'southward ancestry, you'll learn a petty flake more about how feline DNA works and gain some new and interesting information nigh your favorite furry companion. And isn't that what being a cat owner is all about?
Source: https://www.pumpkin.care/blog/cat-dna-test/
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