A cat DNA test can give you a fascinating window into your feline’s genetic composition with insight into why they look and act so uniquely. “Any panel or array will never provide 100 percent perfect data,” Leslie A. Lyons, Ph.D., who heads the Feline Genetics and Comparative Medicine Laboratory at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, told The Spruce Pets. As with all at-home DNA tests, including human and canine, the results you receive for your cat should not be used as information to make medical decisions, but can provide beneficial information for discussion with a veterinarian.
Our top pick, Wisdom Panel Complete: Comprehensive Cat DNA Test kit, tests for its large quantity of genetic markers tested for, quick delivery on results, and their detailed, clearly presented results. It’s especially useful for providing data that could give insight into your cat’s risk for certain health conditions. But we found a few other cat DNA tests that might be a better match to satiate your cat-related curiosity.
What We Like
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Tests for 49 genetic markers
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Largest breed database on the market
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Quick turnaround with results
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Results clearly presented
The Wisdom Panel Complete Comprehensive Cat DNA Test Kit contains multiple categories of results: Health, Ancestry and Traits. The Health tests will test your cat for over 49 genetic health conditions and diseases. There were 5 genetic conditions that they say could affect his early care (drug sensitivities, immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders) Additionally it said it checked for 44 genetic health risks but also pulled out specific conditions that were common in his breed (such as Kidney disease, Hypercardio Myopathy, Cystinuria Type B). The test is administered with a cotton swab that you swab around your cat’s gums and cheek for a few seconds.
Ancestry will show you the expected breeds that make up your cats parents, grandparents, and great grand parents. Traits tests 28 genetic traits, these would talk about aspects of your cat’s coat color and type, tail length, number of toes etc. It talks about different banding or patterns in your cat’s coat. It talks about whether or not your cats tail is likely long or short based on genetics. Also it talks about the likelihood of your cat being polydactyl based on DNA. They include facts about these traits across all breeds including facts about the traits and potential health issues that could come with a trait. These results will mostly show you what you could observe in your cat, but could be interesting confirmation for some people.
Unless your cat is from a breeder, you’ve probably wondered about your kitty’s family lineage in terms of breed and mix from time to time. DNA tests can help uncover interesting insights in this domain. We like this one from Wisdom Panel for its focus on breaking down the different breed types, by percentage, that make up your cat. Additionally, this test delivers an insightful
It’s worth noting that Wisdom Panel has the largest breed database on the market—a factor that allows for more in-depth analysis. As more owners take the test their data pool will increase and there is a chance there will be even more detailed result options in the future. Our tester received their results in under two weeks which was far faster than some of the other options.
Sample Collection Tool: Bristled wand | Turnaround Time: Within three weeks
This test checks for 43 genetic health conditions and diseases, including a few insights you’ll only find on Basepaws (for instance, the genetic markers for the most common form of heart disease in cats). The Basepaws Cat DNA test provides data for 50 different appearance-related gene markers.
Moreover, Basepaws updates its DNA data as it receives more sample sets from other pet parents. In doing so, they’re able to update you on new potential genetic-related findings as they come. In addition to genetic markers and health condition predispositions, this combo kit also includes a bonus oral and dental test. The test is administered through a quick cotton swab of your cat’s mouth.
Our tester liked that the directions were simple and clear to understand. You won’t need an app but you will be required to register on the company website, though that process is relatively painless. One thing worth noting is that our results took a long time to be delivered when we tested the product, several months in our case. So if you’re looking for speedy results this might not be the best product for you.
Sample Collection Tool: Spongy swap | Turnaround Time: Four to six weeks
Cats are notoriously prone to developing periodontal issues, such as gingivitis and stomatitis, both of which can lead to more serious, sometimes even life-threatening complications down the road. This oral health test for cats helps identify typical microbial markers that are often associated with increased risk of certain types of gum and dental disease, as well as tooth resorption (which can be painful).
By flagging potential issues before they develop into full-blown conditions, this test may save you and your fuzzy friend(s) from extra stress and exorbitant vet bills down the road. The test looked at three risk factors: periodontal disease, resorptive lesions, and bad breath. They use the bacteria present to determine the cat’s risk. Ruthie has a high risk of periodontal disease and bad breath, but a low risk of resorption lesions. The results also included some educational material about statistics, risks, and how diet can affect the test.
Similar to the Basepaws health and DNA kit, this oral health test is simple to use. Register the kit online, swab your kitty’s cheek for a few seconds, and send it off to the Base Paws lab. In four to six weeks, you’ll receive a comprehensive dental-specific PDF file detailing your cat’s risk for dental disease, halitosis (bad breath), and tooth resorption.
While this kit is more affordable than the full Basepaws kit, at the time of writing the full kit is marked down to $89, $10 cheaper than this kit. Considering that kit includes the dental test along with other genetic testing, as long as it has the lower price we recommended choosing the Basepaws Cat DNA test kit over this one.
Sample Collection Tool: Spongy swap | Turnaround Time: four to six weeks
Like humans, cats can be predisposed to reacting to certain foods, food additives, and allergens. If you’re noticing that your cat is a super-picky eater, or they seem to react poorly to certain types of food, or maybe they’re sneezing a lot, this intolerance test might be worth the investment. The test is geared towards testing for food and environmental intolerances in cats—as well as dogs and horses.
The 5Strands test accounts for 300 different potential irritants, including food allergens and potential irritants found in household products, including those in cleaning supplies and fabrics. Sample collection is super easy: simply send in a strand of fur from your cat’s coat. Within 10 days (or as little as a week), you’ll receive a detailed report from the 5Strands lab in your email inbox. From there, you’ll be able to adjust your kitty’s diet or environment as needed.
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![The 5Strands Pet Food & Environmental Intolerance Testing Kit instructions and a phone containing its app on a wooden surface]()
Credit: The Spruce Pets
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![A phone showing results from the 5Strands Pet Food & Environmental Intolerance Testing Kit]()
Credit: The Spruce Pets
The set up process required downloading an app then scanning a QR code included with your kit. We prefer processes that don’t require apps since your results are something your probably won’t be interacting with on a daily basis. It’s also worth noting that intolerances are different from allergies and this is not an allergy test for your cat. Our tester found that the results listed so many intolerances (including to cat dander), that it was overwhelming and difficult to navigate how to respond to the results.
Sample Collection Tool: Parchment paper and bag for strands of hair | Turnaround Time: Five to seven days
Final Verdict
We recommend the Wisdom Panel Complete as it tests for the most genetic markers, has the largest breed database on the market, and has clear results with quick turnaround times. If the price is too much, consider the Basepaws Cat DNA Test which currently is marked down to a very affordable price on amazon and is another great test, although we found turnaround time on results was longer.
How We Tested
To make this list our testers tried each of the handful of cat DNA tests on the market. We considered price, ease of use, clearness of results, as well as what the tests tested for. We also spoke to an expert in cat genetics, Leslie A. Lyons, Ph.D., who heads the Feline Genetics and Comparative Medicine Laboratory at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.
What to Look for in a Cat DNA Test
Type of Results
Different cat DNA tests look for different things. Some focus on lineage and breed mix(es), while others offer more health-related insights. You can also get supplemental tests, such as food intolerance tests and allergy tests; though they’re not DNA tests, per se, they may shed additional valuable insight about your feline pal.
“Different companies put more or less effort into designing good assays for any one specific mutation,” Lyons told The Spruce Pets. Ultimately, this could mean a more or less accurate result pertaining to a condition linked to the mutation in question.
At-home cat DNA tests are primarily advisory, but we recommend a consultation with your cat’s veterinarian if a specific health marker seems concerning.
The Spruce Pets
Accuracy
While cat DNA tests can accurately assess your cat’s genetic code, interpretation is a different matter entirely and depends upon having a wide database of genetic markers for comparison.
“An array needs to be updated—which can be a slow process.” Slow as updating can be, it’s worth looking for a brand that does update its data continuously. “Some companies continuously update their data as they receive more samples.”
Knowledgeable and Customer-Friendly
Choosing a service that focuses specifically on cats is advantageous, notes Dr. Lyons, because they’ll have more specific and pointed knowledge related to felines. As a rule of thumb, “look for a company with good customer service who will answer questions about their services and also know a lot about cats,” Lyons advises.
Dog vs. Cat DNA Testing
It’s important to get the DNA kit that aligns with your pet’s species. There are some tests, like 5Strands Pet Food & Environmental Intolerance, that are suitable for a cat or a dog, but most are not interchangeable. The DNA sample you collect with be analyzed and compared to the data for the corresponding species (cat or dog), so it’s vital that you select the right kit for your cat in order to receive a viable analysis.
It’s also important to remember than the breed labels and classifications were all created by humans as a way to categorized felines and canines. The results you receive, with the proposed origins of your cat, were analyzed against a construct with a narrative that is open to interpretation.
FAQ
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Will a cat DNA test reveal parent information?
While it won’t lead you to your cat’s individual parents, a cat DNA test can give you an idea of the types of breeds that comprise your cat, which, in turn, can give you an overview of your cat’s feline family tree.
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Can a cat DNA test verify purebred status?
In short, yes, though it can’t confer that status in any official capacity. Most cat DNA tests will give you a breakdown of the breed types in your cat’s family lineage, as well as information about the percentage of each breed type your cat is, according to genes.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets
The Spruce Pets exhaustively researches and recommends a broad range of products. We also tap a network of experts and testers to help you make smarter purchases.
This story was updated with tested results by Ellie Welles, a writer for The Spruce Pets and guardian of two cats, Agnes and Peppercorn. We spoke with Leslie A. Lyons, Ph.D., who heads the Feline Genetics and Comparative Medicine Laboratory at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.
The original article was written by Sophie Wirt, an NYC-based writer, editor, and pet lover.
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