5 Cat DNA Test Kits: DNA Testing Made Simple

Last Updated: 7 months ago

Are you curious about the best cat DNA test kits?

As you’ll find out, DNA can tell you a lot about your cat’s breed, temperament, and likelihood of genetic diseases.

But it can be hard to find the right cat DNA test kit, so we come to the rescue with our top 5 cat DNA test kits.

Top Picks at a glance

• Best for Breed Profile and Health: Basepaws Cat DNA Test
• Best for Breeders: Optimal Selection Cat DNA Test
• Best for PKD: EasyDNA PKD Testing Kit
• Best for Feline Health: CatCheck Genetic Disease DNA Test
• Best Splurge: Basepaws Whole Genome Sequencing Test

Best 5 Cat DNA Test Kits

Have you ever wondered what type of cat your stray or shelter kitty is? Probably not because most people don’t care so much about purebred cats.

But as studies state, over 70 genetic mutations (variants) have been defined in the cat. Most of these mutations can lead to diseases and physical anomalies.

DNA testing kits can identify these hereditary diseases and genetic mutations. As such, you can take preventive measures and watch for warning signs. 

Let’s see the best cat DNA test reviews and what other benefits they offer for cat owners.

#1 BEST FOR BREED PROFILE AND HEALTH: Basepaws Cat DNA Test

When owners hear about Basepaws and their amazing products, they often wonder, “Is Basepaws legit?”

Yes, Basepaws is a legitimate, Los Angeles-based DNA testing company with one of the largest cat genome databases.

They offer at-home cat DNA kits, and most Basepaws DNA test reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

That’s why they earned a top spot among the best cat DNA kit reviews.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES/QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENTS

• A genetic proximity map
• 4 foundational breed groups
• 21 individual breeds
• A chromosome map
• Identifies predisposition to 17 diseases
• 39 genetic markers
• A wildcat index

Benefits for Cat Owners

The best thing about the Basepaws cat breed DNA test is that it’s easy to use.

All you have to do is create an account on Basepaws, swab your cat’s cheek, and return the sample to them. 

While cats don’t like having something in their mouth, any owner can do a cotton swab. It’s better than collecting cat saliva or drawing blood. 

Moreover, Basepaws sends owners a detailed and semi-interactive 30+ page report once they’ve processed the DNA sample.

It gives you a comprehensive analysis of your cat’s ancestry and breed composition.

Thanks to their percentage breakdown, you’ll know how similar your cat is to purebreds and what traits your kitty shares with them.

You can also filter by just how confident Basepaws is about each breed (see example below).

It can confirm or deny any suspicions you’ve had about your cat’s origin. 

Best of all, Basepaws tests for gene mutations and shows if your cat is at risk of certain diseases.

The results show if your cat is clear, a carrier, at-risk, or at high risk (see example below).

That’s great, especially for breeders, because they can ensure they can produce healthy litters with a low risk of genetic disease.

Regular owners also benefit because they can take preventive measures and work with their vet to ensure animals at high risk remain healthy.

The kit tests for 17 diseases, including polycystic kidney disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, retinal degeneration, porphyria, and Vitamin D-deficiency rickets.

As Amazon reviewers note, the reports are “very easy to read.” So you don’t need any prior genetic knowledge to understand the information and data.

Basepaws compares your pet’s DNA to tigers, cheetahs, lions, and cougars and gives you an approximate wildcat index (which it sorts by rank, see below).

If you’ve ever wondered if your striped cat is a part tiger, that’s the way to find out if you’re right. 

Drawbacks

One of the biggest drawbacks of Basepaws Breed + Health cat DNA tests is that you have to wait between four to six weeks to learn the results.

Some Basepaws reviews also indicate that customers had to wait longer and were disappointed with the accuracy of the results.

Moreover, Basepaws pet DNA tests can’t confirm your cat’s pedigree.

Instead, they compare your cat’s gene to others and report how similar your pet is to other breeds of cats.

WHAT MAKES THIS PRODUCT UNIQUE?

Unlike other genetic tests for cats, Basepaws gives more detailed information about breed/health than other feline DNA testing options. 

Moreover, by using Basepaws, you become a member of their private Facebook community.

You can chat with other pet owners, get genetic counseling, or find your cat’s siblings/relatives.

And their reports contain tons of useful information about the different breeds of cats, their physical traits, and nutritional/wellness tips.

UPDATED FEATURES

Basepaws is devoted to studying the cat’s genome and collects thousands of DNA samples every month.

And as we already pointed out, they’ve got one of the biggest cat genome databases, and it’s grown by leaps and bounds over just the last year alone.

As such, they regularly update their database and add more genetic markers to improve their accuracy.

Their current product features 21 cat breeds, compared to 18 in previous releases. 

Moreover, your cat’s report updates when they add a new breed, but not when they add additional health markers and traits. 

Expert tips and Considerations

• You have to sign in on the website and activate your CatKit before you send the DNA sample. Otherwise, Basepaws can’t process the results.
• Shipping within the USA is free, but you’ll have to pay extra for international orders.
• You can get Basepaws’ cat DNA test at a reduced price if you buy more than one kit or use a discount code.

#2 Best for Breeders: Optimal Selection Cat DNA Test

Optimal Selection is another DNA testing service specializing in dog and cat DNA kits for purebred animals and mixed-breed ones.

It’s the perfect choice for any pet owner who wishes to learn more about their animals’ physical traits and genetic diversity to ensure successful breedings.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES/QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENTS

• It covers 40 genetic diseases
• Shows 20+traits
• Information about the genetic diversity
• Requires a cheek swab sample
• Secure Optimal Selection database and account

Benefits for Cat Owners

We like Optimal Selection cat DNA testing kits because they show results for over 40 genetic diseases, common in purebred animals.

You’ll get results for polycystic kidney disease, progressive retinal atrophy, acute intermittent porphyria, and more.

Moreover, Optimal Selection provides breeders/owners with a comprehensive analysis of their cats’ physical traits, blood type, and genetic diversity.

That’s great for breeders, striving to produce certain coat types, coat colors, body features, or a genetic trait.

Not to mention that it ensures litters have low health risks for common diseases in purebreds.

Best of all, Optimal Selection stores the result in their secure database and are available to users through their private online profile.

You can also download, print, and share your results with other breeders.

Optimal Selection used to offer a Breeder Tool for matching purebred cats to ensure genetic diversity in litters when breeding cats. However, this tool is still not available on their new website.

Still, it’s something to keep in mind if you decide to use Optimal Selection. And compared to other cat DNA test costs, it’s relatively affordable.

Drawbacks

If you’re looking for a cat ancestry DNA test, Optimal Selection isn’t the best choice because it doesn’t cover breed analysis.

So, you won’t learn what type of cat you have.

Moreover, the website doesn’t specify how long you have to wait for the results. But based on other similar tests, we expect that it will take at least four weeks.

What Makes This Product Unique?

Unlike other pet DNA tests for cats, this one shows your animal’s blood type, coat colors, coat type, and body features.

It also evaluates genetic diversity and offers information about the overall population.

While it’s not a cat DNA test to determine breed, it’s an excellent screening tool to ensure a wide gene pool for selective breeding.

Upgraded Features

The current Optimal Selection DNA kit has added new variants for acute intermittent porphyria, Factor XII deficiency, GM2 Gangliosidosis, type II in Burmese cats, among a few.

Moreover, the test shows information about Chediak-Higashi Syndrome, found in Persian cats.

Expert Tips and Considerations

• Remember to activate your kit online before you send the results. You need your sample ID, located on the left edge of the box or the back of the letter.
• You can see a sample report on the website.
• Discounts might be available for breeders that purchase multiple kits.

#3 Best for PKD: EasyDNA PKD Testing Kit

Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited genetic disease that causes cysts to form in the kidneys.

Initially, these cysts are small, but they can grow big enough to prevent normal kidney function.

As studies have discovered, “PKD1 mutation rate was 46% in Persian cats.”

Other susceptible breeds include Exotic Shorthair, Maine Coon, American Shorthair, and Scottish Fold.

So, when you need to make sure your cat doesn’t suffer from this hereditary disease, the best cat DNA test kit comes from EasyDNA.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES/QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENTS

• Suitable for nursing kittens and adult cats
• Requires a cotton swab
• 10 working days turnaround time

Benefits for Cat Owners

Why should cat breeders and owners use this cat DNA test to determine if their kitties carry the PKD1 genes?

For starters, there’s no specific treatment for PKD. Instead, vets provide treatment for chronic kidney failure that develops over time.

But early intervention can extend your cat’s life and lessen their pain. The test results will also give you peace of mind or and allow vets to prescribe diet/medication early.

Breeders also should know if a cat carries the DNA markers for PKD since it’s a dominant gene.

All it takes is one of the parents to carry the gene, and the whole litter will be affected.

And we like EasyDNA’s because you get the results in 10 working days and all you have to do is swab your cat’s cheek. No need to draw blood or take your cat to the vet.

Our Easy cat DNA test reviews also indicate that you can use the Live chat option on the site and ask for help to understand your cat’s results better.

Drawbacks

The biggest drawback is that this cat DNA kit only tests for PKD.

It’s not a cat breed DNA test, so it can’t show breed profiles or if your kitty is at risk for another genetic condition.

Moreover, while EasyDNA’s kit seems more affordable compared to the cost of cat DNA tests, it doesn’t provide as comprehensive information as other options.

What Makes This Product Unique?

Unlike other cat DNA test reviews that we’ve done, this one has the fastest turnaround time. It takes only 10 working days for you to receive the results.

Compared to other cat DNA test reviews, you’ll get the result via email. So you don’t have to create an online profile.

Updated Features

There’s no information on if and how often EasyDNA updates their genetic markers for PKD or if they include new ones.

We also didn’t find any sample reports to understand how they present the results and if they’re easy to understand.

Expert Tips and Considerations

• If you’re testing nursing kittens, you need to separate them from the mother for 30 minutes before collecting a sample.
• Check EasyDNA’s cat intolerance test. It identifies food allergies and non-food items that can trigger an allergic reaction in your animal.

#4 Best For Feline Health: CatCheck Genetic Disease DNA Test

EasyDNA has another cat DNA kit that makes the list of the best cat DNA test reviews because of its comprehensive feline genetic analysis.

It’s perfect if you’re worried about inherited diseases or identify carrier-free cats for your breeding program.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES/QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENTS

• 75 genetic traits, including diseases, blood type, and coat color
• Requires a cheek swab
• 10 to 15 turnaround time
• Suitable for nursing kittens and adult animals

Benefits for Cat Owners

This DNA cat testing kit screens for over 75 characteristics.

It can tell you if your cat is a carrier of a certain genetic marker, at risk for developing certain diseases, or clear of a gene mutation.

The test isn’t diagnostic, so don’t panic if your feline friend is at risk/carrier.

Instead, you can work with your vet to monitor your cat’s health condition and take preventive measures.

Moreover, this cat DNA testing also shows traits, such as shorthaired/longhaired coats, tail length, coat color, and blood type.

That’s useful for breeders that want to reproduce certain physical traits. However, regular cat parents can also find benefit from this information.

For example, knowing your cat’s blood type can be life-saving if your kitty needs a blood transfusion.

Moreover, the EasyDNA cat kit only requires a buccal swab (cheek swab), and you’ll get the results in 10 to 15 business days.

Drawbacks

This cat DNA kit only screens for genetic disease markers related to inherited diseases and body features.

It’s not a cat breed test kit and can’t give breed information.

Moreover, the results for coat type/color can differ from the actual appearance of your cat.

That’s because scientists still don’t know all the genetic variants responsible for cat color.

What Makes This Cat DNA Kit Unique?

Compared to other cat DNA test reviews, Easy DNA’s CatCheck screens for more genetic variants and gene mutations.

It also has a faster delivery time than other DNA testing companies and doesn’t require a profile creation. You get the results via email.

You can also live chat with their DNA consultants if you’ve got questions after receiving the health report and can’t get in touch with your vet.

Updated Features

EasyDNA updates their feline genetic database, but their website doesn’t specify how often they do it.

Unlike their PKD test kit, you can also see a sample report of the genetic trait test. It allows you to check if they screen for the inheritable disease you want.

And EasyDNA will have a feline genetics test available soon for those interested in learning about their cat’s breed and health.

Expert Tips and Considerations

• You can get a discount if you buy multiple CatCheck DNA kits.
• If you’re testing nursing kittens, you should wait at least 45 minutes to an hour after feeding to ensure that the DNA sample isn’t contaminated.

#5 Best Splurge: Basepaws Whole Genome Sequencing Test

If you love genetics and want to know about your cat’s health status breed, you can’t go wrong with Basepaws and another one of their best cat DNA kits.

We’re talking about the impressive Whole Genome Sequences kit that impresses with the amount of raw information it provides.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES/QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENTS

• Breed profiles
• 38 genetic markers
• 16 diseases
• A wild cat index
• Constant updates
• Secure storage

Benefits for Cat Owners

Like Basepaws’s Health+Breed DNA test, the WGS can give you information about your cat’s breed, test for inheritable diseases, and show similarities to wild cats.

However, the WGS decodes 100% of the genome and ensures that there are no missed genetic variants or traits that other cat DNA testing misses.

Moreover, by using the Whole Genome Sequence test, you contribute to the advance of feline DNA testing.

The more data researchers have, the quicker they can make a breakthrough and find undiscovered genetic markers.

You also get access to your cat’s whole raw genetic data on a secure USB and get online updates when scientists discover new traits/genes.

Basepaws gives you a one-hour consultation with their genetic advisors and cat couches. And you can reach to their bioinformatics team for questions and support.

Drawbacks

The WGS cat DNA test price is higher than the cost of the average pet DNA test since it sequenced the genetic code at high depth.

It’s not the most affordable cat DNA kit on the market.

Moreover, it has a long processing time, and you have to wait between four and nine weeks for the results to get uploaded to your account and send on the USB.

What Makes This Product Unique?

Most genetic testing kits decode between a tiny percent of the genome or provide computationally derived information.

The WGS kits sequenced the whole genome at a 15x depth to obtain all available genetic information.

As such, it generates far more raw data than other feline DNA tests.

Updated Features

As we’ve already pointed out, Basepaws frequently update their feline genetic database and add more genetic/health markers.

Once you purchase the kit, you’ll see any updates on the online report in your profile, so you don’t have to send another sample.

Moreover, they’re working on shortening their delivery and processing time so that they can get you your cat’s results as quickly as possible.

Expert Tips And Considerations

• Internation shipping costs extra. Depending on your country’s tax policy, you might have to pay customs tax. Also, the return shipping isn’t included in the price.
• You can read a sample report on the website.

FAQs

Final Word

All these cat DNA tests can help you and your vet make better decisions about your cat’s health. But our top pick is Basepaws.

Basepaws cat DNA report provides a breed profile for your cat, gives you a wild cat index, and test over 38 genetic traits. And you get constant breed updates.

It’s a great option if you’re looking for an affordable cat DNA test kit to give you plenty of information about your cat’s ancestry and health status. 

Cat DNA tests seem silly, but they give invaluable information about your cat’s genes and possible health complications.

A DNA test can also show you which purebred breed is closer to your cat and explain why your cat behaves in certain ways.

As such, knowing more about your cat’s possible breed will allow you to take better care of your pet.

Resources:

• NIH.gov
• PubMed.gov

Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API