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Home > Cats > 5 Best Cat DNA Tests in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

5 Best Cat DNA Tests in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

tabby cat_taking dna_test

Most pet cats are not of purebred origin, and their ancestral histories remain a mystery. Mixed breed dogs are much easier to identify the breed possibilities compared to most cats visually. Luckily, DNA testing is becoming increasingly popular and is now available for our feline friends so we can solve the mystery once and for all.

Not only can cat DNA tests help to determine our pet’s breed, but they can go as far as recognizing physical traits, possible inherited health conditions, and much more.

Not all DNA tests have the same capabilities. Once you know what kind of information you wish to learn about your cat, you can narrow down what type of DNA would be best for you.

We have decided to make the decision easier for you by providing a list of the best cat DNA tests on the market based on reviews.divider-cat

A Quick Comparison of Our Winners of 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Wisdom Panel Cat DNA Test Wisdom Panel Cat DNA Test
  • Reasonably priced
  • Includes 45 health tests and over 25 trait tests
  • Detects over 70 cat breeds
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Orivet Health Cat Condition Test Orivet Health Cat Condition Test
  • Inexpensive
  • Tests for genetic conditions and 4 trait types
  • Simple process and quick results
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Basepaws Cat DNA Test Kit Basepaws Cat DNA Test Kit
  • Provides breed identification and health testing
  • Tests for 16 diseases
  • The company provides other kit options
  • 5Strands Food Intolerance Test 5Strands Food Intolerance Test
  • Checks for food sensitivities
  • Checks for allergies
  • Simple process and quick results
  • UCARI Pet Sensitivity & Intolerance UCARI Pet Sensitivity & Intolerance
  • Non-invasive
  • Inexpensive
  • Helps identify possible intolerances
  • The 5 Best Cat DNA Tests

    1. Wisdom Panel Complete Cat DNA Test – Best Overall

    Wisdom Panel Complete

    Testing Features: Breed Identification, Health Tests
    Collection Method: Cheek swab

    Developed by geneticists and veterinarians, the Wisdom Panel Complete Cat DNA Test is the overall best cat DNA test for any cat owner who needs to take a closer look into what their cat is made of. Over 45 health tests in the Wisdom Panel screen for possible inherited genetic conditions.

    The DNA testing can detect over 70 cat breeds and populations and narrow down breed mixture to 1%. In addition, there are over 25 trait tests included that can give you insight into your cat’s coat type, coat color, and many other physical features in their genes.

    The Wisdom Panel Complete Cat DNA test will also provide you with the cat’s blood type, which is great information if they ever require a blood transfusion. This is not only an affordable option but also covers the interesting genetic history and necessary health information. There was a complaint of vague results that were difficult to understand. It can take as little as three weeks for results to become available.

    However, we still think this is the best cat DNA test.

    Pros
    • Reasonably priced
    • Includes 45 health tests and over 25 trait tests
    • Detects over 70 cat breeds
    Cons
    • Vague results

    2. Orivet Health Identification Cat DNA Test – Best Value

    Orivet Health Condition

    Testing Features: Health Condition Identification
    Collection Method: Cheek swab

    The Orivet Health Screen & Life Plan Cat DNA Test Kit will give you great value and provide some much-needed information on what types of health issues your cat may face. This test does not include breed identification and is meant for the collection of health information only, but is the best cat DNA test for the money.

    The Orivet Health Screen & Life Plan kit will screen your cat for dozens of genetic diseases and traits, as well as identify their blood group. A personalized Life Plan can be set up with this kit so that you can prepare for and manage your cat’s health status throughout his or her lifetime. You can expect a result turnaround time of 3 to 6 weeks.

    This DNA kit will update the report over time as more information becomes available. Again, if you are looking for breed identification, this is not the test for you. This is a great-priced DNA test for health purposes. Orivet is based in Australia, and these tests will sometimes be unavailable for easy purchase in the United States.

    Pros
    • Inexpensive
    • Tests for genetic conditions and four trait types
    Cons
    • Does not provide a wide variety of testing features
    • Not a breed identification test

    3. Basepaws Cat DNA Test Kit – Premium Choice

    Basepaws Cat DNA

    Testing Features: Breed Identification, Health Testing
    Collection Method: Cheek swab

    Basepaws Cat DNA Test Kit gets our pick for premium choice for being a great option for both breed identification and health testing. Their Cat DNA Test Kit is their most popular kit, but they also offer a whole-genome sequencing test. This test utilizes a simple cheek swab to be sent in for testing, and results are typically available within 4 to 6 weeks.

    This test kit is a bit higher priced than others but is not nearly as expensive as the genome sequencing kit. This kit tests 38 genetic markers that can identify up to 16 inherited diseases. It will test your cat’s breed by narrowing down four main breed groups and 21 individual breeds. You will also be provided a complete chromosome map.

    The great part about the Basepaws Cat DNA test is that the DNA sample will be kept by the manufacturer so that when new information becomes available, it will be tested for that as well, and you will be updated accordingly.

    Pros
    • Provides breed identification and health testing
    • Tests for 16 diseases
    • The company provides other kit options
    Cons
    • Not as much breed variety as some competitors
    • More expensive

    4. 5Strands Food Intolerance & Allergy Testing – Best for Kittens

    5Strands Food Intolerance Testing

    Testing Features: Food Sensitivities, Allergies
    Collection Method: Hair Strands

    The 5Strands Food Intolerance & Allergy Testing test will use bioresonance technology by testing 10 to 15 strands of hair provided. This test is a great option for kittens to help identify any possible food intolerances or potential allergies early on. This test can also be used on dogs and horses but cannot check for inherited genetic conditions or provide breed identification.

    The results are available within 5 to 7 days, and the report is very easy to understand. The intolerance testing covers 380 commercial pet food ingredients and environmental sensitivities. It is important to note that an immune system allergy test is not included.

    Once you purchase the kit, you simply get it registered, collect the hair sample, and send it to the company for processing. Results are typically available on the customer portal within one week of the sample’s arrival to the facility. The downside is that this DNA kit is more pricey but does not provide extensive testing that will give you insight into those possible genetic disorders of any type of breed identification.

    Pros
    • Checks for food sensitivities
    • Checks for allergies
    • Simple process and quick results
    Cons
    • Does not provide breed identification
    • Does not test for genetic health conditions
    • Pricey

    5. UCARI Pet Sensitivity & Intolerance Test Kit

    UCARI Pet Sensitivity & Intolerance Test Kit

    Testing Features: Intolerances and Sensitivities
    Collection Method: Hair Strands

    UCARI Pet Sensitivity & Intolerance Test Kit is another DNA test kit that will check for intolerances and sensitivities only using hair samples. UCARI can identify over 350 potential food intolerances, over 300 environmental intolerances, and 400 potential nutritional imbalances.

    No allergy testing is included in this DNA test kit, and no immune response will be determined. This test is specifically designed for intolerances and sensitivities to food and the surrounding environment. This is a non-invasive and lower-cost option for those seeking this information.

    Some pet owners did warn that they received questionable results for food intolerances that they felt were inaccurate. This test will provide no information on breed identification.

    Pros
    • Non-invasive
    • Helps identify possible intolerances
    • Inexpensive
    Cons
    • Some users got questionable results for food intolerances
    • Does not test for health conditions, breed identification, or allergies

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    Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Cat DNA Test

    What Can Cat DNA Tests Tell You?

    A cat DNA test can give you an extensive look into your feline companion. Let’s look at all the information that can be gathered from DNA testing:

    Cat’s Breed

    The breed of a cat is much harder to pin down than a dog if they are not purchased directly from a breeder. Most pet cats are a mixture of different cat breeds; the DNA test will give you an all-inclusive look into their genetic makeup and let you know what cat breeds make up your pet. You may be surprised at what you find out.

    red american bobtail kittens
    Image By: Ievgennia Miroshnichenko, Shutterstock

    Hybrid Status

    Many DNA test kits will be able to tell you what percentage of wild cat DNA your cat has. All domesticated animals were derived from wild animals. While your typical housecat may be more difficult to pinpoint due to many years of domestication, some of the larger, spotted cats tend to have more wild DNA.

    Health Risks

    DNA is an amazing thing and so very informative. These tests can even provide insight into genetic health risks your cat has inherited through its lineage. Some diseases and other health conditions are more likely among certain breeds.

    Knowing this information is very beneficial and may help you be proactive in preventing certain health issues your cat may be likely to experience. Some DNA tests will already include genetic health testing, while others may charge extra to have it added on.

    Intolerances, Sensitivities & Allergies

    In addition to inheritable diseases and health conditions, DNA tests can recognize food and environmental intolerances, allergies your cat suffers from, and even some types of sensitivities that may plague them.

    How Does a Cat DNA Test Work?

    How certain DNA tests work depends on the type of kit you purchase. Generally, you will take a swab from the inside of your cat’s cheek to collect the DNA and then send it to the company’s laboratory for testing. Some DNA kits utilize hair or blood samples as well.

    The laboratory will analyze the sample accordingly, and the genetic report will be available to you either online or via mail. It is important to follow your particular DNA test kit’s instructions carefully to not contaminate the sample and render it ineffective. It can take weeks for the results to return, and an unsuccessful sample will cause further delay.

    cat getting a blood test by veterinarians
    Image By: PRESSLAB, Shutterstock

    Cat DNA Test: Before You Buy

    When shopping for the best cat DNA test, it is important to know what to look for to easily compare products. Here are some considerations we think are most important to keep in mind before you make your final decision:

    • Price: It’s always important to keep an eye on the price of any product you are interested in purchasing and the features included in the purchase. You want to ensure you are getting good value for your money. As you can see, not all DNA test kits have the same capabilities. You can spend as much on a kit with a limited variety of results as you would for another test providing much more information.
    • Types of Testing Provided: Before deciding on which cat DNA test is right for you, you need to figure out what information you want to gather with the results. Some owners may only need testing for food intolerances and sensitivities, making the more limited tests a fine option. Others may prefer to dive deeper into their cat’s breed and health information. Check what kind of information will be screened on each test you investigate.
    • Collection Method: The collection methods for DNA testing you will find on the market today are done through check swabs, hair strands, and occasionally blood testing. As you can see above, no blood sample tests are included on this list. You will need to determine the most comfortable option for you and your cat and see if you can find a test that meets your needs.
    •  Speed of Results: Result turnaround time can vary, and DNA tests that provide information on breed type and genetic health testing can be expected to take a few weeks. Meanwhile, intolerance and sensitivity testing can take much less time, and you may receive results within ten days. Make sure to look into the timeframe for your results so you are not left wondering where your report is.

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    Conclusion

    Wisdom Panel Complete Cat DNA Test is our winner for overall best cat DNA test, as it tests for a wide variety of breeds and can help determine inherited genetic health conditions at a very reasonable price, and gets great reviews.

    Orivet Health Condition Identification DNA Test for Cats comes at a lower price and best cat DNA test for the money and only tests the DNA to help identify possible health conditions. It makes a great option for those interested in a health-only related report.

    Basepaws Cat DNA Test Kit is a test that covers a variety of information including breed identification and genetic health information. This company will keep your sample on file for updates as they become available and even has more extensive genome tests on the market.


    Featured Image Credit: Impact Photography, Shutterstock

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