​A Cat DNA Test can reveal important information about your cat's ancestry, behavioral traits, and the likelihood that they may have certain medical conditions. In this post, we'll go over what a cat DNA test is and if it will help you decide if it's right for you.

​​Deoxyribonucleic acid is a "DNA" molecule that contains a cat’s entire genetic code, just like all known living organisms. There are two ways to get a DNA sample; a saliva (cell) cheek swab or an EDTA blood sample taken by your veterinarian.

​Cats can be tested at any age. The earlier you test your cat, the better. Testing will provide you with a health risk analysis based on your cat's genetics, allowing you to understand their behavior better and how to better care for them.

​Yes, you should test your cat's DNA. Genetic testing can help you create a plan for your cat’s health. Your veterinarian may use genetic testing to help determine the risk of disease development or aid in disease diagnosis. Cat breeders can use genetic testing to select breeding, identify desirable characteristics, and reduce the risk of inherited diseases.

Before you get your cat's DNA tested, it's important to know how it works and what a DNA test is. A Cat DNA Test involves taking a sample of cells from your cat’s cheek or even blood samples depending on which test you choose. It is then compared to a DNA database of cats with your cat’s DNA to determine what breeds they are part of and any medical conditions that may be present.

Determining your cat's breed can give you a better understanding of your cat's behavior, how to care for him, and the likelihood of certain medical conditions. They can also help in researching genealogy and where your cat came from. It provides a detailed look into your cat's ancestry as well as links them to other cats who share their genetic makeup.

​It’s important to understand these tests do not diagnose your cat with a disease, nor does it assure your cat will never develop any of the diseases not mentioned in your cat’s genetic makeup. Also, just like people, cats have individual personalities, and their behavior will not always reflect their typical breeds' behavior.    

Cat DNA tests can be very accurate and can tell you about your cat's ancestry in detail when testing purebreds.

The issues with DNA testing are that approximately 95% of cats in America are Domestic Shorthair. The result indicates that this breed descended not just from any specific group. Since the DNA test cannot tell you what breed your cat tends to be genetically related to, it will give you only a percentage of genetics but rather a designation for cats of mixed ancestry. While, in some cases, testing doesn’t provide concrete results for your cat's breed, it certainly is still fun and exciting to read about your cats' ancestry.

DNA testing for cats is a relatively new technology compared to human or dog testing and is considered in its early phases. As time passes and technology improves, the DNA databases expand and become more comprehensive.

Cat DNA tests currently determine the following cat breeds:

Western breeds:

Abyssinian – Currently the most popular of all the cat DNA tests, it is an ancient breed with a rough and medium-length coat. They are very intelligent, friendly, and outgoing cats that are very attached to their owner.
 
American Shorthair – A sweet-tempered, gentle cat that’s also quite playful. They are medium-sized cats with a strong, muscular build. They are more active and playful than their British cousins.
 
Maine Coon - A large, muscular cat with soft, short fur, this breed is quite devoted to its family and makes a great addition to homes with children of all ages due to their excellent temperament and loving nature.
 
Norwegian Forest Cat – This is one of the oldest breeds of cats still in existence today. They are affectionate and gentle cats. They make great companions for single individuals or families with children but can be very loving towards other family pets as well.
 
Ragdoll - The Ragdoll is descended from Himalayan cats that were brought to England during the 17th century. Ragdolls are known for their affectionate, calm, and laid-back attitude.
 
Russian Blue – The Russian Blue has long been valued for its soothing nature and beautiful silky fur (which looks like denim to some).
 
Siberian Forest Cat – A medium-sized cat with long, thick fur. This cat is known for its willingness to learn, making it easier to train than many other breeds.
 
Turkish Angora – Originating in Ankara, Turkey, this long-haired cat tends to be quite sensitive. It is known for its intelligence and beauty and is valued by some for its silky coat.
 
Turkish Van – A medium-sized cat with a long coat that’s thick and soft, the Turkish Van usually has slate-colored fur with brown or blue eyes.
Siberian Forest Cat – A medium-sized cat with long, thick fur. This cat is known for its willingness to learn, making it easier to train than many other breeds.
 
Eastern Breeds:

Burmese- Burmese are large, muscular cats that have unique markings. They are known for their calm temperament.​

Siam (Siamese) – The Siamese cat is a popular breed that has beautiful markings on its face, ears, and tail. They are known for their friendly demeanor towards people on the whole.
 
Persian Breeds:
 
British Shorthair – This breed of cat is known for its thick, long coat, which tends to be a gorgeous shade of blue or brown. They are also very intelligent and make great companions for single individuals or families with children, but they can also be very loving towards other family pets as well.
 
Himalayan- This cat is a long-haired, semi-longhair, and a very rare breed for the British cat community. It has a beautiful blue and gold color pattern on its coat which makes it very distinctive.
 
Exotic Breeds:
 
Bengal- This breed of cat has long, glossy fur on its coat that is usually a shade of gold.
 
Savannah Cat- These cats were developed using serval DNA. They tend to be very affectionate and love cuddling with their owners.
 
Egyptian Mau - This cat is known as a “hybrid” breed because it was created by breeding domestic cats with their wild cousins from Africa. They tend to be healthy, lively, and rather intelligent cats. 

While cat DNA tests are relatively new, and it is too soon to know what problems they can identify, it is essential to know that they do cover certain inherited diseases. 

Inherited diseases coved in DNA cat testing include:

Hereditary Cataracts - This disease is known for causing cloudiness in the cat's eyes. It is recommended that you get your cat tested if you see any symptoms of this disease, such as their pupil being smaller than usual or a change in their eyesight.

Hereditary Cystinuria - Cats with this disease are known for having a protein buildup in their urine that causes cystine crystals to form. This case can lead to kidney failure and possibly death.
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Hereditary Feline Immunodeficiency - This disease is caused by a deficiency of the cat's immune system, making them susceptible to many different diseases like infections and cancer. This disease is known as FIV or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.

Basepaws: You may have seen the CEO (Anna Skaya) on Shark Tank. The company helps owners learn about their cat’s health, traits, breed, and habits with a home DNA test.

Orivet: This Company offers a range of genetic services to Breeders, Veterinarians, and Pet Owners worldwide.

Optimal Selection: This Company offers genetic health tests, blood type, traits, and genetic diversity.