Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard all the rage surrounding DNA tests–for both humans and dogs as of late. But now it seems that one company has stepped up and unveiled for us a DNA at-home testing kit just for cats.
Sure, you might think that your cat has some Turkish Angora or Abyssinian blood in them…but now you can know for certain!
With the Basepaws CatKit–the world’s first at-home cat genetics test–you have the power to unlock your cat’s speculated breed based off science and not just your lucky guesses.
But what’s even better than finding out if your hard-thought hypotheses are correct? Being able to discover more about your cat’s genetic makeup. This gives you a better idea and awareness of possible health concerns that could arise.
According to their website, basepaws.com:
Basepaws DNA CatKit helps cat owners learn about their cat’s traits and breed characteristics, and ultimately their health and habits – all with just a bit of DNA, collected at home.
Here’s a quick rundown on how the process works…
- Ships in 3-4 business days.
- Shipping costs: FREE U.S. shipping (return shipping included), $15 for International shipping (no return shipping included).
- Expect results 8-12 weeks after we receive your sample at the lab. However, processing times may vary and it may take up to 4 months to receive your results. We are doing our best to shorten this time frame.
So, how much exactly does an at-home cat genetics test cost, one might be wondering? Well, for the tune of $95, you can have your cat’s DNA examined. Which really is on par for the dog DNA tests (Wisdom Panel, a top-selling canine DNA test runs around $75)…although we’re way more excited about this than anything having to do with dogs. Or maybe that’s just me…
Why Would One Need to Know Their Cat’s Genetics? Basepaws explains…
Your cat’s health is shaped by 3 main factors: Nutrition, Environment, and Genetics. By understanding all three, you can provide your pet with the ultimate cat care. Basepaws is the first cat care company built around Genetics.
Almost every cell in your cat’s body contains your cat’s unique genetic code. This DNA is inherited from your cat’s parents, which they inherited from kitty grandparents, and so on.
Wondering where exactly your cat’s DNA will go? Basepaws gives you a detailed answer!
When your cat’s fur and cheek swab arrives at our Los Angeles facility, we take the DNA out of it with a chemical extraction process. Your cat’s DNA contains more than 20,000 genes, which are spelled out in a unique genetic code that is around 2,700,000,000 letters (nucleotide bases) long. Basepaws takes this DNA and uses sequencing machines to read and record these letters.
Curious to know what you will find in your cat’s detailed and unique report? Here’s what to expect:
As Basepaws says, “it’s the small differences that make your cat unique.” And more so, some sections of DNA contain genes that have already been studied and are linked to specific disease or physical traits. Other sections of DNA contain genes that are unknown, and every cat’s DNA will bring us one step closer to identifying the purpose of these genes and why they matter for all cats.
We know that there is kitty litter that can help you to detect your cat’s health in between vet visits, but something like this could help lots of cat owners, too!
(If you’re curious about the cat litter, it’s called Pretty Litter and not only does it serve a powerful purpose, but cat’s also love it and so do humans for its top-notch odor blocking capabilities.)
So, would you shell out a hundred bucks to discover your cat’s analyzed genetics report? Leave us a comment and share your thoughts with us!
REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP; FOSTERING SAVES LIVES & SPAY AND NEUTER!
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Where do you get the reference DNA data for Turkish breeds? From CFA and TICA pedigree cats or direct from Turkey? There is a big difference. I still have cheek swabs from my now deceased Ankara Zoo cat, and several of her descendants are still living with me. Are you aware of the East Mediterranean Anatolian genetic markers of Turkish and Cyprus cats?
Do your tests identify the breed of a cat or are they only a guide line to health matters?
hopefully this would lead a cure for feline hyperthesia
DerikLattigCats says this is great. I was able to determine my Japanese Bobtail is 100 percent Japanese Bobtail!
My friend DerikLattigCats says this is great. I was able to determine my Japanese Bobtail is 100 percent Japanese Bobtail!
Thanks DerikLattigCats, this worked out perfect for our Siamese!