The Best Pet DNA Test Kits
Most pet owners want to learn as much as they can about their furry friends. However, when you adopt or rescue a pet, you may receive limited information on their genetic background. You can make an educated guess about your pet's breed based on its appearance and unique features, but that may not tell the whole story. That's where pet DNA kits can help. These kits can trace your pup's ancestry, providing information about genetic health markers and lineage. If you've ever wanted to trace the roots of your pet, these DNA kits can help you do it.
What to Look For
We recommend keeping the following three things in mind when shopping for a DNA kit for your pet: Do you want a detailed look at your pet’s background or a basic test to determine their lineage? How quickly do you need to get the test results? How accurate are the test results? Our favorite was the DNA test kit from Basepaws, which provides a detailed analysis of your cat’s breed composition and unique traits. We also were impressed by the DNA kit from Wisdom Panel, which includes extensive genetic health testing. Read on to learn more about our favorites and discover the right one for your pet.
Basepaws Cat Breeds Pet DNA Test
Extensive insights
If you want to uncover what’s hidden in your cat’s DNA, this test from Basepaws can help you do it. The genetic test lets you determine your cat’s breed and provides insight into their health. Its in-depth analysis compares your cat’s DNA with 21 cat breeds and 50 trait makers, plus screens for 43 genetic health conditions, making it the most comprehensive DNA test available for cats. Moreover, the company updates its database as they receive new samples, allowing them to identify new genetic-related results.
Pros:
- Screens for health, dental, and DNA
- Easy sample collection
- Extensive database
- In-depth, easy-to-understand report
Cons:
- Long wait for results
Embark Breed Identification Pet DNA Test
Questions answered
If you’re unsure of your dog’s breed, this DNA test from Embark can help you figure it out. This test is especially useful for pet parents with mixed-breed pups, allowing them to find answers about their dog’s mixed heritage and ancestry. Its database contains over 350 dog breeds, which helps them provide information on your dog’s genetic makeup. All of this information also makes it easy to locate your dog’s relatives and provides insights into your dog’s personality and physical traits.
Pros:
- Comprehensive information on breeds
- Includes Relative Finder
- Tests over 230,000 genetic markers
- Precise breed identification
Cons:
- Website isn’t very intuitive
Wisdom Panel Premium Pet DNA Test
Deep understanding
Whether your dog is a mixed or rare breed, this DNA test can help you learn about their unique origins. The test is thorough, screening for over 350 breeds. That’s not all; its breed reference database is the largest of any company, allowing you to find your pup’s relatives and trace their ancestry back to the great-grandparents. Plus, their website is user-friendly, making it easy to read the analysis of your dog’s background.
Pros:
- Includes over 200 genetic health tests
- Provides weight range predictions
- Multi-generational family tree
- Measures genetic diversity
Cons:
- Sharing data is challenging
5Strands Food and Environmental Intolerance Pet DNA Test
Healthy and happy
Does your pup scratch a lot or have trouble digesting food? If so, they may have an environmental or food intolerance. The test from 5Strands is designed to help you shed light on what might be irritating your furry friend. It tests for over 300 of the most common environmental and food intolerances using a few stands of your dog’s or cat’s fur. Once you have the results, you can develop a prevention plan and seek treatment to help your pet cope with their allergies.
Pros:
- Quick results in seven to 10 days
- Easy to find which allergens the kit tests for on the website
- Test is conducted using hair samples
- Uses bio-resonance technology
Cons:
- Technology isn’t scientifically proven to work
Embark Purebred Pet DNA Test
Knowledge is power
If you have a purebred dog, you may think a DNA test is unnecessary. However, this DNA test from Embark allows you to verify your dog’s breed and determine whether they have any genetic health risks you need to keep an eye on. Furthermore, the test provides detailed information about your pup’s physical traits, ancestry, and inbreeding levels.
Pros:
- Breed validation
- Detailed ancestral information
- Find your dog’s relatives
- Actionable health insights
Cons:
- Doesn’t work for mixed breeds
How accurate are pet DNA tests?
While pet DNA tests aren’t 100%, they can help you pinpoint your pet’s lineage. The type of test you choose will determine the depth of the report you receive. These tests can provide a wealth of valuable information about your dog’s genetics, health, and personality.
Can a DNA test determine my pet’s age?
Unlike human DNA tests, pet DNA tests can’t give information on your furry friend’s age. However, they may be able to provide you with an estimated genetic age using your dog’s gender and reported calendar age. Based on that information, these tests can give your information on what stage of life your dog or cat is in based on a breakdown of certain characteristics, like their breed.
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