How Much Is A Cat Dna Test And Is It Worth It? (Updated: )

Cat DNA Tests

Humans have only produced domesticated cat varieties for fewer than 200 years, and the majority for less than 100. DNA testing for cats differs slightly from that of people and dogs. Not enough genetic data is available to assess genetic diversity.

Today’s beloved purebred cats were evolved through random matings and a focus on looks rather than specified functions. Even if the world of purebred cats is always expanding, we may still learn some extremely fascinating facts about our cats.

What Can We Learn from The Test?

Not all DNA testing will have identical capabilities. Listed below are the many subject areas that these examinations may cover. Once you have determined the sort of information you need about your cat, you may select the DNA test that best meets your needs.

Lineage Information

As previously said, it is significantly more difficult to categorize cat breeds owing to differences in domestication. If you did not acquire your cat directly from a breeder, it may be difficult to establish which purebred cats it is a hybrid of.

Some DNA testing will provide you with information on lineage and breed sequencing, as the majority of pet cats are a mix of numerous cat breeds.

Globally domesticated cats may be traced back to eight geographical locations, including Western Europe, Egypt, the East Mediterranean, Iran and Iraq, the Arabian Sea, India, South Asia, and East Asia.

There are ancestry tests for cats that can establish whether your pet is descended from one or more of the eight ancestral groupings listed below. Once the ancestry is identified, comparisons with 29 breeds may be made to identify commonalities.

Hybrid Status

There are DNA test kits that can determine the proportion of wild cat DNA in your cat. The genetics of wild cats date back far further than those of purebred domestic cats. In the end, domesticated animals are descendants of wild animals.

The majority of domesticated cats that are closely related to wild cats may be identified based on their size and appearance, but you never know what type of wild DNA lurks in your cat’s genes.

Allergies, Sensitivities, and Intolerances

In addition to identifying inherited health issues, DNA testing can detect dietary and environmental allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities that your cat may have.

These kits may be extremely useful in diagnosing these disorders and ensuring that your cat receives an appropriate diet and treatment if it is discovered that they do indeed have these problems.

Genetic Health Conditions and Potential Health Risks

As genetic testing for cats and other pets becomes increasingly prevalent, it has become a diagnostic tool for veterinarians. As a cat owner, you may obtain a cat DNA test kit that might provide insight into potential hereditary health concerns unique to your cat.

A DNA test can never replace a veterinarian’s appropriate diagnosis, but having this knowledge is extremely useful for proactively preventing and treating these illnesses.

How They Work

The functionality of DNA testing varies depending on the type of kit used. Typically, you will be needed to harvest the DNA from the inside of your cat’s cheek and then submit it to the company’s laboratory for testing. There are DNA kits that require hair or blood samples.

After receiving the sample, the laboratory will do an analysis, and the report will be accessible online or by mail within a few weeks. Be sure to read all instructions carefully before beginning the procedure.

Some kits may offer specific instructions, such as preventing your cat from eating or drinking for a particular length of time or keeping it away from other animals for a certain amount of time to prevent cross-contamination.

Follow the instructions for packaging and shipping the sample back to the firm after you have collected it appropriately. Many businesses will offer to keep you up-to-date as new information becomes available, so that you will be alerted whenever new information becomes accessible.

The Cost of Cat DNA Tests

The price of a DNA test kit for a cat is from $45 to $130. There are several businesses that sell these kits. It is essential that you investigate the firm and the kit itself to guarantee that the test will provide you with the desired information about your cat.

DNA assays that can sequence breeds and provide comprehensive information on hereditary health issues are often more expensive. The DNA tests that examine for intolerances, allergies, and sensitivities are likely to fall within the lower price range.

Are They Worth it?

You alone can decide whether or not a cat DNA test is worth the cost. There is a great deal of intriguing information to be learnt about our feline friends, and the price will depend on the owner’s level of interest.

These tests do not diagnose your cat with an illness, nor can they predict whether your cat will certainly get or avoid the diseases for which it has been checked. However, they can provide guidance on what to search for.

As in “How Much is a Cat DNA Test and is it Worth it?” by BestForPets (bestforpets.org) these DNA tests may be used as prophylactic tools, they are gaining popularity among purebred cat breeders, so it may not be a terrible idea if you plan to breed your cat. Remember that this sort of testing is not a substitute for basic veterinarian care and expert diagnosis.