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Well before the science of feline genetic tests existed, we had the first modern cat show take place in 1871. Of the more than 150 feline entrants, only a few were of recognizable cat breeds. These shows would go on to attempt to categorize the vast array of furry phenotypes; it began with simple sectioning between color and coat length. From here, specialty breed groups sprung up, with fanciers drawing even more precise lines between breeds.
We recommend BasePaws as the industry leader for cat DNA testing. Continue reading to see why.
Of these, only 16 are considered ‘natural’ or ‘foundational’ breed groups, with all others formed as some sorta mixed-breed. Therefore, many breeds have only been around for about 100 years or less; Bengals and Ragdolls are some of the most recent to be developed.
Compared to dog breeds, there is much less interest in determining your cat’s heritage, with the funding and research to match. However, there are some diseases that can be passed between cat owners and their feline companions that drive the research on cat wellness and genetic diseases. Asthma, certain eye diseases, and polycystic kidney disease (PKD) develop through similar pathways in both species.
Unfortunately, while physical features and genetic disease predisposition can be reliably determined from genetic testing in some cases, temperament is still a mystery when it comes to cats. The breeding of dogs was driven by the creation of domestic companions and working colleagues, with a personality to match. However, cat breeds have been a primarily aesthetic pursuit; even cloning a feline friend doesn’t guarantee a matching mood.
Are you worried about what you're feeding your cat? Check out our article on 4 Best Cat Intolerance Tests.
Modern domestic cat breeding has been shifting the focus to temperament and predictability. The relatively recent craze of ‘wild cats’ - Bengals, Ocicats, Savannah, Egyptian Maus - has forced the issue. Additionally, the natural characteristics of these wild cats must be bred away; otherwise sharing a living space would be impossible, with incessant pacing and territorial marking.
Recently, genetics and at-home feline DNA testing have allowed breeders to make informed decisions to avoid the inevitable negative outcomes of in-breeding. In addition, these technologies are now available to the general public, allowing you to understand the making and history of your feline friend.
Like children, analyzing the DNA of your domestic companion can help you make educated lifestyle, health, and wellness decisions on their behalf. Thankfully, many of the privacy- and ethics-related concerns are waived when dealing with your pet; a full genetic test is only ever in their best interest.
For the proud pet owners of rescued or stray cats, their cat genetic makeup may be a complete mystery. When, or if, a breed is assigned at the receiving SPCA or rescue operation, it’s usually based solely on visuals alone.
Feline DNA testing can provide you with a breakdown of the genetic makeup of your favorite furry friend. As a result of your breed test, you may be surprised to find that your pet’s feline DNA is purebred Maine Coon, Siamese, Ragdoll, or that your 1:1 mixed-breed is a combination of a dozen different cat breeds.
Many of these DNA test kits provide you with details on the percentage of wild cat DNA that exists within your domestic companion. This isn’t the ancestral history or origin of your cat; it assesses more recent incursions from nature.
This kind of test is more applicable to larger, spotted, or ambiguous kitties than your average tabby. Although, the results may be surprising if they’re included in the kit you choose.
Like 23andMe, many of the best cat DNA tests provide insight on potentially inherited health risks. For some cat DNA tests, this is included in the base price; for others, it’s an optional add-on.
Some diseases and illnesses are more likely among certain breeds, underlying many of the health-related results these tests provide. However, some take it a step farther by scanning for specific disease-causing variants outside of breed analysis.
These insights may allow you to take proactive measures to prevent the onset of illness; they may also help you prepare for unpreventable outcomes, like blindness or deafness. Regardless, DNA testing could be vital to your cat’s health and is something every responsible pet owner ought to consider.
Like human DNA tests, there is always a margin for error in the estimates they provide, especially for health-related markers. However, the recent nature of cat evolution has made tracking their ancestry much more reliable than that of humans.
The following cat DNA test reviews will cover some of the better cat DNA tests on Amazon, and the market in general.
Each genetic testing kit is quite different, with specific goals, options, and strengths. Therefore, they’re not listed in any particular order, choose the best one for you and your domestic cat.
Basepaws is one of the larger companies that focuses on cat genetics. Their test covers everything from your cat’s health, breed, traits, and the wild cat index.
The test results feature a breed report that is more in-depth than much of the competition’s offerings. The Basepaws report covers the four major breed groups, including the key cat breeds that are found in each group.
With Basepaw’s cat’s health screening, their test results will tell you if your cat has one of 39 genetic mutations. These mutations are responsible for 17 common kitty conditions and diseases. This includes polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a potentially deadly condition that’s found in an estimated 30% to 38% of Persians across the globe.
Key Features:
The Whole Genome Sequencing report by Basepaws delivers 10,000 times more raw data than any other DNA kit on the market. All this data allows you to fully explore your feline’s genetics so you can find variants you may have missed otherwise.
This Basepaws cat DNA test collects so much data that it is used to find undiscovered genetic markers, contributing to the future of feline DNA testing. The cat DNA test kit includes your cat’s breed and health information, as well as all the raw data derived from the sequencing. The entirety of this information will be sent to you on a USB flash drive.
To take the test, all you need to do is use a buccal swab to collect a sample from the inside of your cat’s cheek. You have to wait one hour from the last time your pet has eaten before taking the sample. Baspaws checks your feline’s cheek cells to make certain it meets quality standards before testing it. Your DNA test kit includes a regularly updated cat breed and health report that’s available online.
Key Features:
From a quick swabbing of your cat’s cheek, you can gather some of your pet’s cheek cells to learn a ton of valuable information. This kit will uncover a wealth of data about your cat’s health, including its risk for up to 40 genetic diseases.
The genetic testing kit also explores your cat’s breed, using genetic markers to check for over 20 traits. The traits tested for include coat type, morphology, and blood type, all derived from a single DNA sample!
Key Features:
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MyCatDNA uses a quick cheek swab to test for over 40 genetic diseases and 20+ traits. They will also give you genetic diversity information, which includes the overall breed population as well as related breed groups.
Key Features:
Orivet offers a variety of tests that are aimed more at veterinarians and cat breeders than they are at the average pet owners. Their DNA tests cover just about everything, from cat breeds, genetic traits, diseases, to full breed profiles.
Key Features:
These affordable DNA testing kits, offered by CatDNATest.org, will tell you about your cat’s genetic traits and health conditions. Their basic CFA panel will only cost you $45, and identifies your cat’s sex determinant genetic markers, traits, parentage, health, and more.
The test results include information on your furry friend’s coat color, long or short hair, and the likelihood of developing conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. For an extra $5, you can take advantage of one of their add-on tests. These cover your pet’s blood type, color points (for Burmese and Siamese), albinism, polycystic kidney disease (PKD), and more.
Key Features:
Unless you’re a breeder or veterinarian, BasePaws is probably the best bet for the most actionable and useful information. It requires no knowledge of your cat’s history upfront and provides you with a full genome picture of your feline friend. However, while that may not be completely useful at the moment, outside a few instances, this will only become more helpful as research proceeds.
Finally, there are many reasons to give your cat the same attention that a family member would deserve. You can avoid surprises when it comes to illness that may manifest. You can also get confirmation on the components of your kitty’s mix. Tests like these can give you a new appreciation for the heritage of your furry friend.
The prices vary from test to test, with cheaper testes (like CatDNATest.org) going for as little as $45. More expensive tests can easily cost you over $100.
As long as you use a trusted company, your test results should be pretty accurate. DNA testing is still an evolving science though, so their accuracy is constantly improving.
Depending on the type of cat DNA kit you purchase, how it works will somewhat vary. In general, you will need to take DNA from the inside of your cat’s cheek and send it to the company’s laboratory. Blood or hair is used with some test kits as well.
The lab will analyze the sample and check its genes for certain genetic markers associated with breed groups and health issues. Your report is then made available online or sent to you through the mail.
However, with the Basepaws Full Genome Sequencing pet DNA test, the analysis is far more comprehensive. While the majority of other companies only decipher 0.01% to 0.02%, this kit decodes 100% of the genome.
While it’s possible to identify some genetic diseases at birth, oftentimes, inherited conditions don’t develop until later in a cat’s life or never manifest themselves at all. Due to factors such as inbreeding and selective breeding, purebred cats have a higher likelihood of developing a genetic disease within their lifetimes.
Genetic conditions are incredibly common with certain purebred cat breeds. An example of this is Scottish Fold cats, who often suffer from degenerative joint diseases which can lead to deformed limbs and even lameness.
One of the only reliable methods for a cat owner to identify potential genetic diseases in their pet is through DNA testing. Pet DNA tests, such as the Basepaws Breed + Health DNA Test, check for commonly found genetic diseases such as PKD, retinal degeneration, Myotonia, and much more.
A DNA test for your feline can give you a wealth of information about its health, breed groups, genetic variants, and breed regions. It can be used as a fun way to get to know a little more about your pet, help diagnose certain genetic conditions, or improve its overall health. If you’re a cat breeder, you can use a DNA test to check a cat’s carrier status for certain diseases that could be passed on to future generations.
