Basepaws Cat DNA Test: Understanding Your Cats Genetics
Table of Contents
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
BasePaws Cat DNA Test happens to provide cat owners with a way to understand and explain the breeds and characteristics that make up mixed-breed cats, including those rescued from shelters and have unknown parentage. This will allow them to assist cats in living longer, happier lives.
Via genetics, you could learn why your pet cats act the way they do, what breed types and species they are more similar to, and whether there are any cat’s health problems to be cautious about, and the wild cat index. All it requires is a quick saliva test of the cat’s mouth.
About BasePaws DNA Tests
The BasePaws breed health DNA test for cat breeds is the most sought-after testing kit on the market. It helps you see which breed your furry friend is genetically related to and its wild cat index, although it does not allocate a breed to your cat.
A large percentage of cats, like dogs, are not pure breeds. However, unlike dogs, many cats do not have a purebred ancestor either. Thus the pet DNA tests look for genetic similarity and cat’s ancestors rather than the overt transmission of genetic links.
Hereditary cat’s health conditions are often tested for using the BasePaws cat DNA test kit. They test for genetic diseases in your purebred cats, including Polycystic Kidney Disorder, blindness, Vitamin D deficiency rickets (type I), and a slew of others you may not know existed.
How BasePaws’ DNA Tests Work
The BasePaws breed health DNA Test sample is extracted in the same way as a human DNA test is. BasePaws gives you a clean cheek swab, a biohazard test jar, thorough sample selection directions, and packaging for quick return delivery of your cat’s sample that is to be done after you create an account. When BasePaws gets your cat’s DNA sample, they can scan and document your cat’s genome using cutting-edge sequencing technology.
BasePaws matches the cat’s DNA to that of other cats in their largest cat DNA database, as well as other feline DNA sources from the science world until it gets sequenced. Few genes in your cat’s DNA have already been researched and related to particular physical characteristics or illnesses. Genes whose mechanisms are uncertain are found in other portions of DNA using breeder matchmaking system.
BasePaws gathers the findings into a report on your cat’s special cat genetics profile when the process has finished. This report will be delivered to you in four to six weeks’ time.
BasePaws Breed + Health DNA Test Kit
- The examination determines the cat genetics diversity of your pet’s DNA and searches for over 39 genetic mutations that could lead to any of the 17 genetic disorders recorded.
- Many cats cannot be traced back to a single breed since they are not pure breeds and do not have a purebred ancestor.
What’s in the Box
A swab, a tube filled with stabilizing liquid to protect the DNA sample obtained, and a box to mail the sample back to the company are included with this research kit. The sample selection procedure is detailed in the instructions written on the cat DNA test kit.
The Bottom Line
The BasePaws Cat DNA Testing is a great way to learn more about your cat’s breed and obtain helpful health information that could help your pet live a longer and healthier life.
BasePaws Cat DNA Test: Key Considerations
Number of Breeds Detected
Breed testing at BasePaws is mostly for a mixed breed, non-pedigree cat. It is not intended to be used as a breed identification test. The reports are developed to provide pet owners with various breed and genetic information, which can be particularly valuable for mixed-breed cats.
Health Screening
BasePaws breed health DNA test will assist you in identifying the possible health hazards your cat may be prone to along with lifetime breed updates. BasePaws Cat DNA Tests track 39 genetic defects attributed to 17 serious feline illnesses. This health report ensures that your cat’s DNA can be matched to sequences that identify possible health problems, regardless of the DNA testing kit you select.
Turnaround Time
The turnaround time for all the Basepaws report is around four to six weeks from the date your sample arrives at the laboratory. In some rare situations regarding genome sequencing, it can take up to four months as well.
Accuracy
While BasePaws has a relatively smaller database regarding cats genetic traits, their test results are quite accurate. However, the test accuracy also depends on whether or not the sample has been contaminated.
Price
The Breed + Health DNA Testing, which costs $149, includes a comparison with all breeds and different breed groups, chromosome map, lifetime breed updates, wildcat index, and tendency to cat genetic diseases, genetic mutations, breed analysis, and genetic markers.
Conclusion
Depending on the information provided, choose the testing kit you feel will provide your cat friend and you with the best results. These kits will demonstrate how to best care for your domestic cat, and furthermore, you would be stopping rather than curing your cat’s symptoms by using BasePaws.
Though the disadvantage is the small wild cat index, as more cats are getting checked, this will become less of an issue in the coming years.
Overall, BasePaws health report indicates that the research would undoubtedly assist you in removing any of the doubts and confusion concerning your cat’s identity and roots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BasePaws test for?
BasePaws evaluates the cat’s breed similarity to 17 of their registered breeds, grouped into four main breed groups. The Polycat, which is BasePaws’ version of a mixed-breed, is also included. They conduct 17 genetic disorder studies that have 40 genetic markers. The basepaws report provides a concise overview of each illness as well as advice about how to better care for your pet, in addition to accurate findings and risk indicators.
They also have something called the Wildcat index, which determines the cat’s wild cat ancestry and genetic disease. When matched to the other pet cat samples in the database, the tests will show you how similar your cat is to the four big cats.
Are cat DNA tests accurate?
DNA assessments for cat breeds are still a new concept in the pet industry. Nonetheless, the majority of them have reliable and accurate statistics on the genetic disorder status of your little furry friend. However, since the global DNA database for cats is less than that for dog breeds, identifying your cat’s origin can be difficult.
How much does it cost to get a DNA test for your cat?
DNA testing do not come cheap. Their cost varies from $45 to $500, depending on the kind of information and genetic disease you want to know about your cat. While BasePaws Breed + Health DNA kit costs $149, its Whole Genome Sequencing Kit is priced at $499.