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When it comes to DNA testing your cat from the comfort of home, there really aren't too many options to choose from. Basepaws was the first to offer such a test, but are they the best?
After covering various DNA test kits for kitties, we now know what to look for in a test for cats. This means useful and actionable health information as well as in-depth data included in their breed report. And while Basepaws does cover these things, it's only useful if it's accurate, so we put them to the test.
With the help of my friend Bukowski (my cat, not the author), I took one of these reasonably priced DNA tests. Below, we'll go in-depth on what I learned in our Basepaws DNA review.
Basepaws DNA:
| Sample Collection | Saliva swab |
| DNA Testing Type | Genetic variant analysis across 18 chromosomes |
| Speed | 4-6 weeks |
| Privacy Protection | Medium to strong |
Basepaws currently offers three different feline DNA test kits. Below, we'll cover what you'll get with each testing kit and how much it'll cost you:
Basepaws gets our recommendation for cat DNA testing because they're an established company, they are the market leader, and provide terrific info for you and your cat.
Taking and submitting a Basepaws CatKit is incredibly easy, simply take the following steps:
When it comes to protecting your personal information, Basepaws does a decent job. According to the company’s privacy policy, any personally identifiable information, either about you or your pet, will never be shared unless absolutely necessary to perform the genetic test. However, Basepaws does allow third-party advertisers to gather some web-based data for targeted advertising purposes.
Additionally, Basepaws employs some fairly impressive security measures to protect your personal information and your pet’s genetic data. This includes regular security reviews of their software, industry-standard encryption, and managing the safeguards used by their third-party service providers.
While Basepaws may have been the first at-home cat DNA test kit to hit the market, it wasn’t long before some competing genetic tests popped up. Other popular feline DNA test kits include:
Basepaws test results are broken down into three different sections: Breed Groups, Wildcat Index, and Health Markers (may vary depending on the type of test you order). Below, we’ll explore each of these in a little more detail.
Using high coverage whole genome sequencing pedigree cat data, Basepaws can generate something they call a ‘genetic proximity map.’ This map will lay out the breeds closest to your cat based upon 4 foundational breed groups — Western, Eastern, Persian, and Exotic. You’ll also be given some likely personality predictions based upon your cat’s breed.
All 38 known species of cats share a common ancestor, and the genetic traces of this common ancestor can still be found in your kitty today.
The thing is, different cats may have inherited more of their DNA from one specific wildcat ancestor than another. For example, you have a Maine Coon, and you want to determine which wildcat is most related to your pet. Basepaws will compare your cat's DNA to four well-known wildcats: tigers, leopards, cheetahs, and cougars.
This is one of the more unique portions of Basepaw's test results that cat owners will love. It happened to be one of my favorite parts. Here, I learned that my cat has some genetic similarities to a tiger, so no wonder he always bites me when I try petting him (I joke, he's sweet).
In this section, Basepaws will test your feline friend for more than 38 genetic mutations related to 17 different genetic conditions. Through a DNA sample obtained from saliva, you'll learn if your cat has tested positive for a genetic variant that's associated with one of these genetic diseases. This is a great way to know about your cat’s health risks. You can be proactive about your cat's health and learn which diseases could be a future problem.
The 17 genetic diseases your pet will be checked for are:
While the report you'll receive is well-designed, looks nice, and is fun to read, it's not incredibly useful. This is because your cat’s results are based on the data Basepaws has collected over the years and simply compares your cat's genetics with this known information. In my test results, I learned that Bukowski has genetic similarities with Persians and Ragdolls, which I didn't think was accurate.
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. While this is fun information, I'm not exactly sure what to do with it or if it's at all accurate.
The Health Markers section, arguably the most useful part of the test results, was also lacking. I say this because Basepaws doesn't actually test for genetic diseases, but only if your cat has genetic health markers associated with certain breed disorders. This will tell you if your cat has a higher likelihood of developing a disease, but not much else. So, while useful to an extent, it's still no replacement for regular visits to the vet.
Summary
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The most useful part of this test, by far, is the health information that's provided. Here, you can at least learn something that may turn out to be useful. If your cat has genetic markers associated with certain diseases, this will give you some idea of potential health issues you need to look out for. But, even here, I felt they really didn't provide all that much with only 17 diseases covered by the Basepaws CatKit.
Basepaws is great if you're looking for a fun way to learn a bit more about your pet. It has a health test with accompanying information on cat genetics. However, if you want reliable information on your cat’s breed and its health, you may be better off going to a vet.
This all depends on what you’re looking for. If you want reliable breed and health information about your cat, then probably not. But if you’re simply looking for a fun way to learn a bit more about your pet, Basepaws is a decent choice.
- To learn what breeds your cat is genetically most similar to
- To find out what Wildcat genetics are most similar to your pet
- To see if your cat has a genetic predisposition to any one of 17 genetic diseases
Using a small saliva sample, Basepaws compares your cat’s DNA to the data that’s in their database to learn more about your kitty’s breed and health.
Basepaws gets our recommendation for cat DNA testing because they're an established company, they are the market leader, and provide terrific info for you and your cat.
