Cats are beloved and loyal companions. However, they’re also somewhat inscrutable. With dogs, we usually have a pretty good idea of their background, and thus what kind of behavior and health issues we can expect. Even with mutts, we can make relatively accurate guesses about parent breeds. But with cats, there’s basically no way to understand why they are the way they are. At least, not by looking at them. However, for people who’d really like to understand their cats better, a company called Basepaws now offers an at-home Cat DNA Test that can unlock all kinds of information about your cat’s genome that is both fun and valuable.
As you probably know, there are all sorts of home DNA tests for humans. Some aim to tell you about your ancestry. Some aim to give you valuable health insights by searching for specific genetic markers. Some aim to do both.
The Basepaws Cat DNA Test does the same thing, but for your cat. It uses some really cool science to give you a fun, new, and insightful way to connect with and understand their feline friends, inside and out.
Basepaws Cat DNA Test
The collection process for the Basepaws Cat DNA Test works just like the collection process for a human DNA test. After you sign up, Basepaws sends you a sterile cheek swab, a biohazard specimen bag, detailed instructions on sample collection, and prepaid packaging for easy return shipping of your cat's sample. Once Basepaws receives your cat’s sample, they will use state-of-the-art sequencing machines to read and record your cat’s genome.
Basepaws compares your cat’s DNA to DNA from other Basepaws cats and other feline DNA databases from the scientific community. Some sections of your cat’s DNA contain genes that have already been studied and linked to specific physical traits or diseases. Other sections of DNA contain genes the functions of which are still unknown. However, Basepaws is on a mission to unlock these secrets, and every cat they sequence brings them closer to that goal.
Once all the analysis is complete, Basepaws compiles the results into a one‑of‑a‑kind report on your cat’s unique genetic profile.
Your Cat’s Basepaws Profile
The Basepaws profile consists of three elements: Breed Analysis, Wildcat Index, and Health Markers.
The Breed Analysis tells you which cat breeds are most genetically similar to your cat. This might give you insights into your cat’s behavior and personality traits, or it might help explain why your cat looks the way it does.
The Wildcat Index lets you learn a bit about your kitty’s wild side. Basepaws compares your cat’s DNA to the DNA of tigers, leopards, cheetahs, and cougars, then ranks the results based on genomic similarity. These results are not intended to serve as evidence that your cat is part wildcat, but rather to give you an idea of how your cat fits into the evolutionary story of the domestic cat.
Last, and most importantly, Basepaws’ Health Markers provide crucial insights that can help you keep your cat happy and healthy down the road. The DNA test looks for 39 different genetic markers and provides reports on mutation carrier status and predispositions to 17 different diseases, including polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), retinal degeneration, myotonia.
Science makes our lives better every single day. Now, thanks to the Basepaws Cat DNA Test, it can also help improve the lives of our furry friends. So, if you’re ready to get to know your cat better, click here to order yours today.
Futurism fans: To create this content, a non-editorial team worked with an affiliate partner. We may collect a small commission on items purchased through this page. This post does not necessarily reflect the views or the endorsement of the Futurism.com editorial staff.
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