Basepaws DNA Review

Basepaws paved the way for cat DNA testing. It was the first of its kind, setting the bar for other feline genetics companies that followed. 

If not for Basepaws, we might not have the best cat DNA kits known today.

So I took one of these reasonably priced DNA tests. And with the help of my friend Bukowski (my cat, not the author), we will give you an in-depth Basepaws DNA review.

Basepaws Introduction

Basepaws was the first cat genetics company. Annya Skaya founded it in 2016 as a provider of at-home DNA test kits for cats.

In a nutshell, these tests analyze cat DNA and its 20,000+ genetic variants. They give you useful information on your cat’s breed, dental health, and overall wellness.

Basepaws DNA:

• Founded by Anna Skaya
• The world's first at-home cat DNA test kit
• Employs a dedicated team of veterinarians and geneticists

Quick facts:

Sample Collection	Saliva swab
DNA Testing Type	Genetic variant analysis across 18 chromosomes
Speed	4 to 6 weeks
Privacy Protection	Medium to strong

Basepaws DNA Kits — Cost and Comparison

Basepaws currently offers three types of cat DNA tests. Below, we will cover what you will get with each testing kit and how much they cost:

1

Basepaws Cat Dental Health Test

Cost: $79 upfront or 4 interest-free monthly payments of $19.75

The kit screens for common dental conditions, namely:

• Periodontal disease
• Tooth resorption
• Halitosis (bad breath)

It tells you how they affect your cat’s health and provides tips on how to care for their teeth at home. If your cat needs professional dental care, Basepaws will let you know.

2

Basepaws Breed + Health Cat DNA Test

Cost: $129 upfront or 4 interest-free monthly payments of $32.25

The kit tells you about your cat’s breeds, health status, genetic traits, and habits. It includes a Dental Health Report plus the following:

• See which breed groups and breeds are genetically similar to your cat
• Check for 43 genetic conditions using 65 health markers
• Assess for 25 traits, including blood type and resistance to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

3

Basepaws Whole Genome Test

Cost: $499 upfront or 4 interest-free monthly payments of $124.75

The kit does whole genome sequencing. It includes everything in the Breed + Health Cat DNA Test plus the following:

• Free USB drive with your cat’s raw data
• Lifetime access to health and breed updates
• 1-hour consultation with a feline genetics coach
• Exclusive access to Basepaws’ Facebook community

How Basepaws Works

Basepaws sends the kit you ordered to your home. When it arrives, just follow these easy and simple steps:

1. Visit basepaws.com. Create an account and register your kit.
2. Use the swab included with your kit to collect a saliva sample. Just rub it along the inside of your cat’s cheek. 
3. Place the swab inside the tube that comes with your package. Make sure the cap is inverted, and then shake it.
4. Return your saliva sample to Basepaws. (The company provides free two-way shipping for U.S. residents.)
5. Wait for 4 to 6 weeks from the time they received your cat’s sample to get results.

What to Expect From Basepaws Test Results

Basepaws provides different reports for each of their kits. I decided to buy the Dental Health and Breed + Health Tests just to see what is in them.

All results became available on MyBasepaws.com as soon as they were ready. You can view them directly online or download them to your phone.

Each report consists of several pages. Here is what you get with the reports:

Basepaws Dental Health Report

Included in: Cat Dental Health Test, Breed + Health Test, and Whole Genome Test

The report starts you off with some useful insights. This includes a brief introduction on your cat’s oral health, how Basepaws performs the test, and why it is important to get your cat tested.

It shows you which microbes are present in your cat’s DNA sample. Based on this report, it scores your cat’s risk for periodontal disease, tooth resorption, and halitosis.

Basepaws also teaches you how these risks affect your cat’s overall health. Unfortunately, it does tell you if a cat has a dental problem or not.

Basepaws DNA Test Results

Included in: Breed + Health Test and Whole Genome Test

The report contains 4 sections:

1. Breed Analysis (Breed Groups and Chromosome Map)

Here, you can learn which breed groups your cat is closest to based on their genetic makeup. Basepaws identifies genetic similarities with 5 major groups:

• Western cats — such as Ragdoll and American Shorthair
• Eastern cats — such as Thai Siamese and Birman
• Exotic cats — such as Savannah
• Persian cats — such as British Shorthair and Persian
• Polycats — which are domestic mixed breed cats

It summarizes the top breeds with the most genetic resemblance to your cat and how much of their DNA is the same.

For example, Bukowski’s report says that he shares 63% of his DNA with Western breed groups and that he is at least 17.64% Russian Blue.

The chromosome map uses colors to highlight which of your cat’s DNA belongs to certain groups. However, it leaves out a lot of information and does not tell you which genetic traits they are associated with.

Take note: Breed Analysis is an interactive report. You can choose to display the Chromosome Map or Breed Groups. Its slider can be adjusted for accuracy - the more “statistically confident” the report, the more accurate its results.

2. Wildcat Index 

This section is one of the more unique parts of Basepaw’s test results. It shows you the top 4 wild cats that are closest to your cat’s DNA. 

Here, I learned that my cat has some genetic similarities to a tiger. No wonder he always bites me when I try petting him.

(I joke. He's sweet).

Basepaws warns that it does not mean your cat is part wild cat. All known species of domestic cats have wild cats as ancestors.

The Wildcat Index simply shows which wild cats share the most DNA with your cat.

3. Health Markers

Basepaws tests your feline friend for 65 health markers. This section shows if a cat is positive for genetic variants that increase its risk for health problems.

It also shows if your cat “carries” genetic mutations which they can pass on to their future offspring. (Also known as carrier status.)

Below are some genetic diseases that Basepaws can help identify:

• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
• Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS)
• Gangliosidosis
• Factor XII or Hageman deficiency
• Cystinuria
• Hypokalaemic periodic paralysis (hypokalemia)
• Mucopolysaccharidosis
• Feline congenital hypothyroidism
• Alpha mannosidosis
• Niemann-Pick disease type C1
• Myotonia congenita (MC)
• Vitamin D-deficiency type I (rickets)
• Porphyria
• Retinal degeneration
• Primary hyperoxaluria
• Pyruvate kinase deficiency of erythrocyte

Keep in mind: Health Markers is not a diagnostic report. It does not tell you if a cat has these health conditions. 

But it is a great way to know if your cat and their offspring have these health risks. You can use this information to prevent health problems in the future.

4. Feline Breeds

This part tells you which purebred cats are genetically similar to your cat’s DNA. It also shows you the percentage of DNA which they have in common.

But what we like most is it provides plenty of information on each breed, such as:

• Their origins or where they came from
• Physical traits (e.g., weight, fur length, and eye color)
• Potential health risks (e.g., risk of developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
• Personality traits (e.g., calm and docile)

It helps you understand why your cat has certain behaviors and other breed-related disorders. But it also includes breeds that have zero similarities with your cat.

Basepaws Review: Is it Accurate?

The report is well-designed and informative. It looks nice and should be fun to read for cat lovers like myself. Unfortunately, it is not incredibly helpful. 

For starters, Basepaws does not tell you the exact breed of your cat. It only compares your cat’s DNA with genetic information from its database.

This is supposed to help you find out which breed groups, specific breeds, and wild ancestors a cat is associated with. But I found them unreliable.

My test results say that Bukowski has genetic similarities with Persians and Ragdolls, which I thought was inaccurate.

The same goes for the Wildcat Index section. Here, I was told my furry friend has genetic similarities to a leopard, cheetah, tiger, and cougar. 

The Feline Breeds report is equally disappointing. It included lengthy information on breeds that were not genetically related to my cat.

While all of this makes for a fun read, I am not sure what to do with it.

Even the Health Markers section and Dental Health Report were lacking. This is because Basepaws does not really test for dental disease or health problems.

It only tells you if your cat has a higher chance of developing common dental problems and certain health issues. It can be useful, but it cannot diagnose the presence of an actual condition.

Is Basepaws Cat DNA Test Worth Your Money?

Basepaws is great for any cat parent who wants to learn more about their pet and other breeds in a fun way. It gives you an idea of potential dental problems and health issues you need to watch out for.

You can get these results with the Breed + Health Kit, which is not that expensive. If you buy it on sale or use a discount code, you can get an even better deal.

But if you want reliable information on your cat’s breed and overall health, you might save more money if you simply visited the vet.

Pros

• Learn what common cat breeds your pet is most similar to
• Discover if your feline friend has genetic similarities to tigers, leopards, cheetahs, and cougars
• See if your cat has a genetic predisposition for 17 different genetic conditions
• Free shipping from the United States
• Quick and easy sample collection process

Cons

• Test results can take forever to be returned (mine took close to 7 weeks)
• Not incredibly accurate
• Doesn’t give you too much useful information

Basepaws vs. Other Cat DNA Tests

Basepaws may have been the first at-home cat genetics company. But it wasn’t long before competitors popped up. Other popular cat DNA test kits include:

• Optimal Selection Feline — Starts at $99. Tests your cat’s blood type, genetic diversity, 20+ traits, and 40+ genetic health risks.

Catdnatest.org — Starts at $45. Check your kitty’s identity and sex determinant markers, parentage, genetic health risks, and traits.

Basepaws FAQ’s: Frequently Asked Questions