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.
A Quick Comparison of Our Winners of 2024
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | Wisdom Panel Cat DNA Test |
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Best Value | Orivet Health Cat Condition Test |
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Premium Choice | Basepaws Cat DNA Test Kit |
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5Strands Food Intolerance Test |
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UCARI Pet Sensitivity & Intolerance |
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The 5 Best Cat DNA Tests
1. Wisdom Panel Complete Cat DNA Test – Best Overall
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.
2. Orivet Health Identification Cat DNA Test – Best Value
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.
3. Basepaws Cat DNA Test Kit – Premium Choice
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.
4. 5Strands Food Intolerance & Allergy Testing – Best for Kittens
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.
5. 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.
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.
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 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:
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.
- You may also find this interesting: How Accurate Are Cat DNA Tests? What You Need To Know!
Featured Image Credit: Impact Photography, Shutterstock