DNA testing helps savvy pet parents be proactive about veterinary care

Authored by Dr. Hope Jankunas

If you adopted a Mystery Mutt from a shelter or rescue group, you may have questions about your dog’s background.  Dog DNA kits are the answer for curious pet parents who want to learn more about their pup.

Why  would you want to know about your dog’s DNA?

DNA kits can tell you about your dog’s breed and provide genetic information your vet can use to design a health and wellness plan for your pet’s unique needs.

What information can you get from the test?

DNA kits can identify over 250 dog breeds.  Looks can be deceiving, and you may be surprised by what you find out!  Knowing your dog’s breed tells you about their physical traits and grooming needs.  In addition, you can learn about what they were bred for and how this affects their personality type.  It can also predict their likely adult weight and size for a tailored nutrition and exercise plan.  Some breeds are predisposed to health problems like arthritis or allergies, for example, and pet parents “in the know” can be prepared.

DNA kits can also test for over 150 genetic mutations and diseases.  Certain health conditions, like glaucoma, affect pets later in life and knowing about them in advance will let you plan for your pooch’s future medical needs. The test can also identify possible medical and surgical complications such as Von Willebrand’s Disease (a bleeding disorder) and MDR-1 gene mutation (an increased sensitively to some drugs).  Knowing about these conditions ahead of time will help your vet safely anesthetize and operate on your pet.

Which test is best?

There are several companies that offer DNA testing for pets.  There is a wide range of pricing and, in general, you get what you pay for.

Companion Pet Hospital recommends the Royal Canin Genetic Health Analysis kit.  It’s a comprehensive test that identifies your dog’s breed AND screens for genetic markers for disease.  Unlike at-home DNA kits, this test uses a blood sample, which has a lower risk of contamination and provides a better DNA sample for analysis.  Both you and your vet will receive results in about 2-3 weeks.   We will go over the results together and discuss recommendations for monitoring, treatment or further testing if
needed. This one-on-one consultation is included in the price of the kit.

Are there any low-cost alternatives or tests available for cats?

The best option for budget-conscious pet parents is the Embark Breed ID kit, which identifies your dog’s breed. Cat parents can discover their cat’s breed, blood type, and screen for genetic diseases using the Wisdom Panel Complete for Cats.

This holiday season give your pet the gift of health by unlocking the secrets of their DNA.

Take $25 off the cost of a Royal Canin Genetic Health Analysis kit from now until the end of the year!