But because of several factors, such as sample size and comparison, these tests often give dramatically different results for things like genetic ancestry and breed traits (more on that below). I tested several at-home DNA test kits, including two of the most popular kits—Basepaws ($104) and Wisdom Panel ($97)—on my two adult cats and talked to several animal experts to get insights into these tests—and whether they are worth your money, given the large disparity in results. Think of this as the WIRED guide to the increasingly popular at-home pet DNA test.
Be sure to check out our related guides, like the Best Automatic Cat Feeders, Best Automatic Litter Boxes, Best Automatic Cat Fountains, and Best Dog Accessories. Add us as a preferred source on Google to see more of us. Breed Health Test Trait Test Blood Type/Transfusion Risk Oral Health Report Family Tree Wisdom Panel (Cat) Screens for 70+ breeds and populations Tests for 45+ genetic health conditions Test for 25+ physical traits Yes No Yes In my research, I've found that people widely consider Wisdom Panel the most trusted at-home pet DNA test kit (along with dog-only Embark, which former WIRED reviewer Julia Forbes tested below).
Wisdom Panel offers several kits for dogs (listed below) but only one test for cats. It can identify more than 70 breeds, includes 45 health tests, determines blood type, and screens for more than 25 traits. It even provides a genetic consult for “at-risk” health findings and shows what the pet's family tree might look like based on DNA results.
I especially liked that it tests for the most common conditions seen in cats or dogs with a similar breed makeup to your pet (based on the DNA sample), including important markers like drug sensitivity, immune deficiency, and bleeding disorders. It also identified the cat’s blood type (both of my cats were A) and transfusion risk (both were moderate). The results arrived live online in my Wisdom Panel account within three weeks of mailing them.
I really appreciated the interface, which was organized into clickable tabs that made the information easier to access and navigate. Plus, based on appearance alone, my cat Clover's DNA results seemed most accurate with this test (below). I also tested my run-of-the-mill gray tabby cat, Basil, but on all tests—including Wisdom Panel—he was almost entirely labeled as an “American domestic cat” and “polycat/domestic shorthair." That's basically the mutt final boss, a result of many generations of mixed breeding among different cat types, where ancestry and origin are almost impossible to determine.
Clover’s Wisdom Panel Results American domestic cat: 51 percent Highlander: 13 percent Norwegian Forest Cat: 13 percent Siamese and Oriental: 13 percent LaPerm: 10 percent Breed Health Test Trait Test Blood Type/Transfusion Risk Oral Health Report Family Tree Basepaws (Cat) Tests against 21 breeds Tests for 64 genetic health markers Tests for 50 genetic trait markers Yes Yes No WIRED reviewed Basepaws over half a decade ago, and a lot has changed since then. Basepaws offers a single breed and health test for cats that identifies up to 21 breeds, 64 genetic health markers, 50 genetic trait markers, blood type, and oral health. The wait time for results is five weeks, and when I first sent my cat Basil's test in, they couldn't extract enough DNA, so I had to send another sample and wait another five weeks.
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