Basepaws Breed + Health DNA Test For Cats: What Every Cat Parent Needs

Lori Ennis
by Lori Ennis
Want to know more about your feline friend’s genetic and gut health? Of course you do! And right now, you can save $30 at Basepaws (with the code PETGUIDE30), the pet health company that created the first at-home genetic test for cats.


We live in an age of technology that allows us to learn more about ourselves through a simple cheek swab test. We can find out who our relatives are, what genetic health conditions we may be predisposed to, and even whether we’re likely to think cilantro tastes like soap.


And in recent years, while DNA test kits have branched out to our pets, it has seemed that there are far more DNA tests designed for dogs than there are for cats.


And that’s why we love Basepaws! Basepaws is a feline-founded company that offers cat parents vital information through at-home cat health testing. Founder Anna Skaya, (whom you may have seen accepting an investment offer from Kevin O’Leary on the ABC show Shark Tank in 2019), pitched the first at-home cat DNA test in hopes of making this powerful technology accessible to cat owners around the world.


Since accepting the offer, the company has grown exponentially, quickly becoming an industry leader focusing on feline genetic and dental health. Using the Basepaws Breed + Health DNA test, you can learn about your cat’s genetic similarity to a number of breeds as well as analyze their risk for genetic health conditions.


Cat DNA – How Does That Work?


Using the same genetic testing approach used to analyze human DNA samples, the Breed + Health DNA test compares your cat’s DNA sequence to the DNA sequences of other cats in the Basepaws genetic database. This comparison allows for the breakdown of your cat’s genetic similarity to 4 different Breed Groups and 21 individual cat breeds. Your cat’s report is a living document; as Basepaws adds new breeds to our database, your cat’s breed report will be updated to reflect these changes for a lifetime.


Basepaws also tests for 38 genetic markers associated with 16 genetic conditions, including Polycystic Kidney Diseases (PKD), Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), Retinal Degeneration, Myotonia, and more. Knowing your cat’s potential risk for genetic conditions can lead to an earlier diagnosis by your veterinarian, as many conditions remain asymptomatic and overlooked until later in life.


Unlike dogs, cats don’t typically tell us much about their health, but with the Basepaws Breed + Health DNA testing, you’ll gain insight into your cat’s needs and health, and ultimately take steps to give them the best care possible.


The process is simple and non-invasive: swab your cat’s gums for approximately five seconds, register your kit online, and send the sample back to our lab (shipping both ways is free on all US orders). In just 4-6 weeks, your cat’s comprehensive Breed + Health report is delivered digitally to your cat’s Basepaws account. Each report contains over 35 pages of detailed information about your cat’s breed, associated traits, and risk for developing genetic feline illnesses.


The more you know about your cat’s genetic health predispositions, the more confidence you will have in preventing health issues and minimizing the risks they may face as they grow and thrive. One simple cheek swab has the power to improve your cat’s health and happiness, as well as your own.


What Else Can Basepaws Tell Us?

Basepaws is also leading groundbreaking research into the feline oral microbiome. Their new Dental Health Test is the only dental disease screening test available for cats. It’s a unique, preventative dental test that uses the latest innovations in microbiome and sequencing technology to assess your cat’s risk for developing dental disease.


Using the sample simple process as the DNA test, you can discover your cat’s risk level for the most common dental conditions found in cats: Periodontal Disease, Halitosis and Tooth Resorption. While dental issues affect a majority of cats ages 3 and older, the signs are often incredibly subtle. Your cat’s oral microbiome is full of information that you and your vet can use to prevent, or even reverse, disease before it becomes serious. And once again, the more you know, the better you can do for your cat.


Basepaws Breed + Health DNA Test For Cats: A Must For Every Cat Parent

Maybe you adopted your cat from a shelter, or rescued a stray who decided you were her new person. Odds are, their actual health and genetic history is a mystery. With the Basepaws Breed + Health DNA Test, you can find out so much about your cat that will help you keep them in tip-top condition. You’ll be able to learn about their breed, their traits, and genetic predispositions, which allow you to adjust and improve upon their care and give them exactly what they need: more activity, more attention, or vocalizing all day long.


And how about cats whose origins are known? Cat parents who adopted their cat from a breeder should know that Basepaws is not a breed verification test, and is not meant to confirm their cat’s pedigree. It is, however, critical for feline genetic research to add more pedigreed cat DNA samples to the database to better genetically define each breed and more accurately match mixed-breed cats to specific breeds. In addition, the health markers analysis provides you with the peace of mind in knowing that your pedigreed cat is healthy and is not at-risk for inheriting or passing down particular genetic diseases associated with their breed.


The more we know about the genetics of our feline friends, the more we’ll be able to see the impact DNA has on their behavior and health. And that’s what helps us make the best decisions for them. Just like in humans, knowing better means we can do better, and with the Basepaws Breed + Health DNA Test, we know we’re doing our best for our cats!


If you want to discover more about your cat than meets the eye to learn how to give them the best life possible, you can use our exclusive code, PETGUIDE30 and save $30 off the kit! There’s never been a better time to find out more about your cat, and with the holidays coming, it makes a perfect gift for every cat lover you know!

Lori Ennis
Lori Ennis

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