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WIRED
a day ago
- Health
- WIRED
I Tried the Best At-Home Pet DNA Test Kits on My Two Cats
If You Have a Dog, Consider These Kits I don't have a dog, so I didn't try these at-home DNA test kits for dogs, but these are the kits specifically for dogs from Basepaws and Wisdom Panel, the two companies I've tested for my cats. How Does a DNA Testing Kit Work? Pet DNA tests rely on pet owners collecting cells for testing through a cheek swab, where the sample is put into a sealed stabilizing or preserving fluid for transit. You'll mail the sample back to the lab in the prepaid envelope. It takes up to five weeks to get results. (The first time I sent my cat Basil's Basepaws sample, the company emailed that the results were inconclusive, and I had to wait for another kit to be sent, re-swab him, and wait another five weeks for results.) At the lab, the sample is analyzed against the company's breed and genetic health database. They use single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays—the standard technology used to identify breed ancestry—as well as various inherited traits and risk of common diseases. Essentially, different breeds have distinct patterns of SNPs in their genomes, which act as the genetic markers. These tests analyze the pet's DNA sample for specific SNPs and then compare them to the company's existing database to estimate the composition of breed types in the animal. This not only tells you about breed composition, but can also identify the specific DNA sequences that are markers for potential health risks, like predispositions to diseases or hereditary cancers. Don't take the health or DNA test results as absolute truth, however. 'This can lead to a false sense of security or false alarms," says veterinarian Amanda Chambers. Forward your results to your veterinarian and always follow up with scheduling a visit to the vet if your pet is marked as a carrier for any genetic disease. Limitations of At-Home DNA Test Kits After chatting with Jamie Richardson, head of veterinary medicine at Small Door Veterinary, I've found that these are the major areas of limitations with at-home DNA test kits: Results depend on the size/diversity of the genetic database Most kits test known markers only—not full genomes Feline data is less developed Misinterpretation of results can lead to unnecessary concern How Accurate Is At-Home DNA Testing? Wisdom Panel claims its breed results for cats are over 98 percent accurate and that tests for dogs are over 99 percent accurate. I've outlined the results below, so you can see the disparity in results from the two kits I tested, particularly with breed ancestry. One problem with the vast disparity in results is that the two companies have different sample sizes and metrics for identifying breeds. But the biggest issue for cat owners taking these at-home DNA tests is that you can't really identify most cats' breeds the way you can with dogs. Unless your cat is a purebred, around 95 percent of cats don't belong to a recognized breed. Cats' genetic backgrounds are muddied—they're just similar mixes with different physical characteristics, so the tests only show the breed(s) they share the most markers with. Basically, these tests for cats aren't able to reliably tell us about breed composition, just similarity to other breeds' traits in the company's data pool. From my research, it seems the breed identification part of these tests is more accurate for dogs, as dog DNA is so much more diversified. Breeds have been clearly defined after centuries of diversifying from other breeds, and dog DNA mutates quickly, with genes changing quickly after just a few generations. Cats are not much different from their Egyptian ancestors. Interestingly, in this report from CBS in 2023, the news organization sent dog and human DNA to different at-home test companies and got various results, ranging from 65 to only 29 percent German shepherd DNA for the dog. The human DNA results were attributed to a bulldog, border collie, and cane corso mix. TL;DR There isn't one catch-all way to determine a pet's genetic makeup or ancestry. Humans like categories. And breeds are essentially human constructs, based on the way the dog or cat looks. The genetic part of the test is fun, but take it with a grain of salt—especially with cats. Ancestry Results If you read above, you know that there's a significant disparity in results based on the pool the sample is compared against. For example, below are the results I got for my cat Clover, who's a dilute calico with long, white fur and visually looks most like a Maine coon or Norwegian forest cat. (I also tested my run-of-the-mill gray cat Basil, but he was almost entirely 'American domestic cat' and 'polycat/domestic shorthair'—basically the mutt final boss, a result of many generations of mixed breeding between different types of cats, where ancestry and origin is almost impossible to determine.) Health Results Wisdom Panel tests for 49 genetic health predispositions by comparing the pet's DNA against a panel of cat or dog genetic health checks. It tests for the top five genetic conditions that could impact the pet's vet visits—essentially, the most common conditions that are seen in cats or dogs with a similar breed makeup as your pet. These are for things like drug sensitivity, immune deficiency, and bleeding disorders. They also identified the cat's blood type (both of my cats were A) and transfusion risk (both were moderate). Basepaws tests for up to 115 health markers, but my cat received results for only 44 genetic diseases (owners are encouraged to check results often in case missing markers are added as more data becomes available). This list felt more in-depth than the Wisdom Panel test, testing genes for markers against disorders in musculoskeletal and connective tissue; eyes; metabolic, autoimmune, and endocrine systems; blood; and more. Both of my cats, Clover and Basil, were cleared as having none of the genes that mark them as potential carriers of genetic diseases. It also identified blood type and transfusion risk, which were A and moderate (the same results I got with Wisdom Panel's test). If your pet gets flagged for any of these results, don't panic. 'The presence of a certain gene does not always mean a patient will develop a certain disorder that is associated with that gene—it just means they're at higher risk of it. I would encourage owners to reach out to their veterinarian if they have questions after receiving the results of a DNA test,' says Chambers. Oral Health Results Wisdom Panel doesn't screen for oral health, which is a huge problem in many pets, and can lead to tooth extraction and bigger health issues. Oral health was a concern for me, and Basepaws tests for oral health by testing against an oral microbiome database. In this regard, Basepaws wins out. According to the Basepaws results, Clover was a low risk for periodontal disease and tooth resorption, but at a high risk of halitosis. The report said bad breath could be indicative of a larger health issue, but she was cleared for disease, so I wasn't sure what to do with that information. Courtesy of Molly Higgins My other cat, Basil, was at high risk for all the dental markers mentioned above, and Basepaws came up with a health plan for him: 'adopt a daily oral healthcare routine, consider supplementing Basil's routine with products accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, and schedule an appointment with your veterinarian in the next month.' Courtesy of Molly Higgins Although I was alarmed at the results, I liked that Basepaws gave me recommended next steps so I could come up with a plan of action for care. And it's important to remember that these results don't necessarily mean a pet is guaranteed to develop the disease. "These can be a helpful flag for your veterinarian to keep an eye on [...] but does not necessarily mean aggressive testing is needed at that moment,' says Richardson. 'DNA tests are tools to support—not replace—veterinary care.' Traits Results Both of the tests had this section, which tests for coat color traits and variants, but I found it mostly useless. Wisdom Panel's assertions of both cats' physical traits were correct. But with Basepaws, Clover, a dilute calico, was marked as being likely black in color. I can see with my eyes what my cat(s) look like, but if you're a genetic nerd, this might be fun to see what the actual DNA reflects. A Note on At-Home Allergy Testing Kits I recently tested both of my cats for their allergies and intolerances using a similar at-home test kit, 5Strands Pet Food & Environmental Intolerance Test for $100. For this, you only need to send a fur sample in the mail to a lab; results were sent to my inbox within seven days. The report showed that both of my cats showed strong intolerances to common ingredients in their diet, like various types of fish and chicken meal. This sent me into a panic about the health and (dis)comfort of my cats. After more research, I learned that hair/fur samples are not an accurate way to measure allergies and intolerances, and studies show kits claiming to provide these results perform no better than chance and often produce inconsistent or false results. 'There's no scientific evidence to support allergy testing through hair, fur, or saliva,' says Richardson. 'Veterinarian-supervised elimination diets to test for food allergy and intra-dermal skin testing or blood tests to test for environmental allergies remain the gold standard.' So, save your money and consult a vet instead if you suspect your pet is suffering because of allergies or intolerances. Compare Our Top Picks Meet the Experts
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Puppy Has DNA Test—Results Shock Owner: 'Zero Golden Retriever'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A dog owner from Asbury Park, New Jersey, believed they had adopted a golden retriever—only to be surprised by the results of a DNA test. Gina DiLello, who goes by u/Pitiful_Raspberry_79 on Reddit, adopted Loki George after losing their 12-year-old yellow Labrador. They were convinced Loki George was part golden retriever. "We were sure he was part golden retriever, but we saw photos of his siblings who were darker than him and not at all golden looking. The adoption agency called him a golden retriever, AI told me he was a golden retriever, and we were telling people he was a golden mix when they asked. That prompted me to buy a DNA testing kit from Embark," DiLello told Newsweek. DiLello shared the results on the subreddit "Doggy DNA," where the post received 1,600 upvotes. The DNA test revealed Loki George's mix as 29 percent German shepherd, 26 percent beagle, 23.3 percent "Supermutt," and 21.7 percent Siberian Husky. "Zero golden retriever or lab," she wrote. DiLello explained that Loki George, named after the god of mischief, is a four-month-old energetic and talkative puppy who loves chewing everything in sight. "If he knows he's not supposed to do something he makes it his goal to do it. Once he gets sleepy he turns into a different dog—snuggly and cuddly and completely calm and loving," DiLello said. After losing their yellow lab in January, DiLello began searching for a golden retriever puppy to adopt. "I stalked every adoption site multiple times a day to find the right dog. I had applied for a bunch and once I got approved, the dog would be adopted already. One Sunday morning I found Loki George up for adoption at an agency in Connecticut 3.5 hours away. I immediately called and emailed asking if I could come up right then and bring him home. I sent them my application, they approved me, I called my fiancé who was on the beach to come home—we were going to Connecticut," DiLello said. A split image of Loki George the blonde dog. A split image of Loki George the blonde dog. Gina DiLello/Gina DiLello The DNA results came as a shock. "No golden retriever! No yellow lab! German shepherd we could see. But beagle, Siberian husky!? I needed Reddit's opinion on this and was validated in my shock. But no matter what the results we think he is the most perfect dog in the world," DiLello said. Veterinarian Dr. Amanda Chambers of Embrace Pet Insurance told Newsweek that dog DNA tests vary in quality. She recommended Wisdom Panel and Embark, which boast accuracy rates of 98-99 percent, adding that tests covering fewer genetic markers tend to be less accurate. Sian Lawley Rudd, an ethical dog trainer and trauma-informed coach at Lavender Garden Animal Services, shared insights about dog DNA tests: she's worked with many dog owners surprised by their dogs' breed results. "Sometimes they start looking for certain behaviours because they've read that there's a particular breed in the mix." She noted that breed plays a role in a dog's needs, energy, and instincts, and that activities they enjoy often relate to their breed lineage. However, she emphasized that breed mix is just one part of a bigger picture. For example, one of her clients had a relaxed, people-focused dog with a high percentage of guarding breed, which helped explain some behaviours but didn't change the dog's core needs for steady exercise, enrichment, and downtime. "Breed mix can be a useful guide when meeting your dog's needs, but it shouldn't be treated as a rigid blueprint for their behaviour," Rudd explained. Reddit users had a lot of fun with Loki George's surprising results. One commenter called him a "Golden Deceiver," while another asked, "What is in the super mutt?" The original poster responded: "Border collie, collie, boxer, and Australian shepherd!" Another user observed: "I definitely see the collie (both border collie and regular collie) in him. When it comes to genetics, my big brain always thought that mixed breed dogs take after whatever breed is their higher percentage in their DNA. I didn't know a dog could take after the smallest percentage breed. It's amazing how genetics work. The teeny tiny bit of Collie in him completely took over!" One user added: "Totally thought he was a golden until I saw those long leggies." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
