Pet DNA Tests: What They Can and Cannot Tell You
By Dr. Kirk Wright, DVM · Updated
Pet DNA tests are popular, and many owners ask me about them. They can be interesting and sometimes useful. They also have limits, and it helps to know them before you buy one.
This article does not recommend any company. It explains what the tests can and cannot do.
What they can tell you
- Breed makeup: an estimate of which breeds are in your pet's background.
- Certain inherited traits and health risks: some tests look for specific, known genetic variants.
- Relatives: some tests can find related pets in a database.
Results can be fun, and they can sometimes guide questions to ask your vet.
What they cannot tell you
- A test result is not a diagnosis. Having a variant does not always mean a pet will develop a disease.
- Tests only look for what they are built to find. A clear result does not mean your pet will never have a health problem.
- Breed estimates can vary between tests, especially for mixed-breed pets.
- A result does not replace an exam by your vet.
How to use a result
Bring the full report to your vet and ask what it means for your pet in particular. Your vet can tell you whether any result changes your pet's care, and whether a follow-up test makes sense. Keep the report with your pet's records. If you are thinking about a test, ask your vet which kinds are worth it.
Frequently asked questions
Are pet DNA tests accurate?
Accuracy varies by test and by what it measures. Ask your vet how to interpret a result and what its limits are.
Should I change my pet's care based on a DNA test?
Please talk to your vet first. A result is one piece of information, not a diagnosis.
Educational information only. This is not veterinary advice for your pet and does not replace an exam by your veterinarian. Emergencies and disclaimer.
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