Last Updated on April 22, 2023 by Dogs Vets
How Much Does a Dog Dna Test Cost At a Vet?
You can expect the average cost of a DNA test to be between $100 and $300. This charge applies if you choose to have a blood-based DNA test performed by a veterinarian.
However, you can also choose to purchase a DNA test kit that will cost you between $30 and $70 along with additional shipping costs.
This procedure is quite simple and can be done by the pet owner or a veterinarian. Some veterinarians prefer to submit a blood sample where they can be sure that large amounts of DNA are present.
While the needle blood collection may upset your pet for a moment, overall the procedure will not harm your pet.
Dog DNA Testing
Dog DNA tests have gained popularity in recent years as they provide insights into a dog’s breed, ancestry, and potential health concerns.
Here are ten things you should know about dog DNA tests, including the cost of having one done at a veterinarian’s office.
- Cost of a dog DNA test at a vet: The cost of a dog DNA test at a veterinarian’s office can range from $150 to $300 or more, depending on the complexity of the test and any additional services provided by the vet.
- Test accuracy: Most dog DNA tests have an accuracy rate of 95% or higher, providing reliable results regarding your dog’s breed, ancestry, and potential health concerns.
- Breed identification: A dog DNA test can help identify the breeds in your dog’s lineage, giving you a better understanding of their physical traits, temperament, and potential health issues.
- Health screening: Some dog DNA tests also screen for genetic markers associated with certain health conditions, helping you stay proactive about your dog’s health.
- At-home DNA test kits: In addition to having a DNA test done at a veterinarian’s office, you can also purchase at-home dog DNA test kits. These kits typically cost between $70 and $200 and require a simple cheek swab to collect a DNA sample.
- Turnaround time: The turnaround time for dog DNA test results varies depending on the test and laboratory. Generally, you can expect to receive results within 2 to 4 weeks.
- Ancestry tracking: Some dog DNA tests can trace your dog’s ancestry back several generations, providing you with a detailed family tree.
- Exercise and nutrition recommendations: Based on your dog’s breed and genetic makeup, some DNA tests offer personalized recommendations for exercise and nutrition to help optimize their health and well-being.
- Genetic age: Some dog DNA tests can estimate your dog’s genetic age, which may differ from their chronological age. This information can be helpful in understanding your dog’s overall health and potential longevity.
- Consult with your veterinarian: Before deciding on a dog DNA test, it’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian. They can help guide you in choosing the best test for your dog and assist in interpreting the results to ensure you’re making the most informed decisions about your dog’s care.
Dog DNA Testing Overview
Home DNA testing is becoming increasingly popular and it’s easy to see why. Who hasn’t wanted to learn more about their family’s ancestral past or uncover hidden aspects of their personal heritage?
Services like 23 and me and Ancestry.org touch something Intimate, If you think otherwise, As it turns out, there are plenty of services out there that provide additional features of DNA testing for dogs.
If you’re the proud owner of a mixed-breed puppy, you probably spent some time wondering what exactly went into your dog’s genetic makeup.
DNA testing for dogs is your chance to find out – as well as learn critical health details, devise a better nutrition plan, and track down all kinds of pertinent information.
How much does dog DNA testing cost?
When ordering an analysis for your pet or litter, of course, you want to get the best possible price, but the cost is not the only issue. You should also ask the following:
- Are the test results accurate?
- Are the results accurate?
- Are the results published quickly?
- Do you provide customer service?
- Would your clients recommend you to their friends and family?
A more detailed analysis follows..
Hereditary disease testing: Screen for genetic predisposition to diseases common in certain breeds, such as degenerative myelopathy, exercise-induced collapse, von Willebrand’s type 1 disease, and more.
DDC Pets & Vets pricing: $58 each, with a 20% discount for 2 or more tests
Hereditary trait testing: Testing for physical traits passed down from parents, such as coat color, curl, long coat, and more.
DDC Pets & Vets pricing: $58 each, with a 20% discount for 2 or more tests
Dog Lineage & Parentage Verification: checking physical traits passed down from parents, such as coat color, coat curl, long coat wool, and more.
DDC Pets & Vets pricing: $38 each, with a 20% discount for 2 or more tests
Parent/DNA Profiling: To verify that offspring are registered to the correct dam.
DDC Pets & Vets prices: $58 each, with a 20% discount for 2 or more tests
Dog Breed DNA Testing: Have you ever been asked, “What breed is that dog?” DNA for pets with an unknown history can be analyzed in a DNA genotype database for hundreds of breeds, effectively identifying your pet’s lineage from multiple generations.
Veterinary DDC price: $89 per dog
In addition to offering daily low prices, DDC Veterinary also runs monthly specials for additional savings.
More on Dogs DNA Testing…
Despite the growing popularity of DNA testing for dogs, there are relatively few companies offering these services.
The most well-known is Embark and Wisdom Panel, which promises to not only reveal your dog’s breed mix but also their family tree back to their grandparents. Some other well-known companies include DNA My Dog and Orivet.
What are the differences between these companies? With a DNA test for dogs, two things matter most: the number of breeds in their database and the accuracy of their results.
Here’s a breakdown of the top four choices and what they are best known for.
#1: Embark Vet DNA testing
Start testing for 350 breeds including dingoes, village dogs, and wolves. Who doesn’t want to know if their dog is a part wolf?
Researcher Ryan Boyko founded Embark Dog after conducting dog DNA research around the world
The test is produced in collaboration with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and has been highly rated online, including by The New York Times, which recently tested major dog DNA test brands.
Quality comes with a price tag: the two Embark kits (one is the health version, which we’ll discuss a bit later) retail at $129 and $199 respectively.
#2: Wisdom Panel
The Wisdom Panel, from Mars Petcare, also tests for more than 350 breeds.
NPR spoke with Angela Hughes of Mars Petcare, who conducts the Wisdom Panel testing, and Hughes said they can’t disclose their exact methods for proprietary reasons. She added, however, that internal testing has shown that their breed results are 93 percent accurate in mixed breeds.
Like Embark, Wisdom Panel offers two different products, a “premium” version that includes health testing. Their two packages will cost you either $99.99 or $159.99, so they’re a bit more affordable than Embark.
#3 DNAmyDog
This option is less expensive than Embark and Wisdom Panel and has a smaller breed database. This means that if your dog is of a rare origin or an unregistered breed, DnaMyDog is not the best choice.
However, its database represents the majority of common dog breeds in the United States. You have your German Shepherds, your Bulldogs, your Yorkies, and even your Affenpinschers. If you are concerned about budget, take a look at DNAmyDog.
#4. Orivet DNA Testing
Orivet primarily markets to breeders and veterinarians. For scientists or pet parents looking for highly specific health tests, Orivet offers a wide variety of specific tests for genetic conditions. They have a commercially available “mixed breed kit” available for $84 at Chewy.
How do dog DNA tests work?
The DNA testing process is simple for dog owners. You can order a dog DNA testing kit from Amazon, Chewy, and other online retailers. Subsequently, your breed identification test comprises a cheek swab.
The DNA testing itself was simple for us, although we had to bribe Scout with bacon before we molted it.
Pro tip: don’t let them eat the treat, as it will dilute their saliva and lose their results. Use it to get their attention and cooperation and then reward them when you’ve gathered enough saliva.
After you send it in the mail, your dog’s sample is compared to an extensive database of breeds of other DNA samples.
Within a few weeks, you receive your dog’s results via email. This will either be in a PDF attachment or online. Embark and Wisdom Panel offer customized web portals to view your dog’s mystery makeup. This means analysis of breed heritage by percentage.
Are these tests regulated? The short answer is no. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not monitor the quality or promises of dog DNA tests, unlike regulating human DNA tests like Ancestry and 23andMe.
The companies themselves promise high levels of internal quality control. Wisdom Panel notes that its laboratory is USDA accredited.
Dog DNA testing and your dog’s lifestyle
Knowing your dog’s breed not only satisfies a pet parent’s curiosity but also provides useful information. As VCA Hospitals notes, knowing the breed combination “can help the owner develop a more accurate nutrition, wellness and preventative care plan for their pet.”
If you have a herding mix on your hands, for example, you’ll want to provide them with extra exercise to motivate and motivate them.
On the other hand, “small-nosed” dogs like French and Boston terriers are prone to overheating.
If your dog is one of these breeds, you’re likely to avoid long walks in the heat – and perhaps invest in a doggy pool. Let’s be honest: the cute factor is a real added bonus.
Learning more about the breeds that show up in your dog’s results is half the fun of DNA testing. Getting clues about your dog’s behavior only strengthens your bond.
Dog DNA testing and your dog’s health
As with many things, when it comes to health information and dog DNA testing, you get what you pay for.
Wisdom Panel has two options for purchase: the “Essential” test and the “Premium” kit. Previously known as Wisdom Panel 4.0 and Wisdom Panel Health, respectively, they are available for $99 for the Essential and $159 for the Premium.
While both tests promise to tell you about potential “medical complications” your dog may face due to drug sensitivity or immune deficiencies, only the premium version conducts 180+ health tests for genetic predisposition to the disease.
Embark, which has already sold its DNA Testing at $129, offers an additional “health kit” to the standard breed test that tests for over 190 health conditions and over 20 “physical traits.” This more expensive package costs nearly $200.
However, before you go the extra mile on the health tests, it’s important to take a look at the science.
The American Kennel Club says of DNA health tests, “research is still in its infancy.” They point out that for-profit testing companies keep their methods secret, which means it’s difficult to verify the accuracy of their results.
The AKC warns against the “unspecified level of concern, fracturing and sometimes false confidence that these tests can cause.”
And, while it’s true that some breeds are prone to certain health risks – dachshunds are prone to back problems, for example, while golden retrievers have a high incidence of canine cancer – there’s no guarantee that your particular pet will fall victim to common breed conditions.
Take the example of a serious dog disease called degenerative myelopathy (DM. DM is a debilitating spinal condition that eventually leads to paralysis in older dogs. Researchers have linked a mutation in a specific gene to DM.
DNA testing can potentially tell owners if their dog is a carrier and if their pet is at risk of developing DM.
That said, the DM mutation only reveals how difficult genetic testing for health conditions can be. In an article about dog DNA testing, The Atlantic spoke with anatomy and genetics professor Kari Ekenstedt at Purdue University. She explained that the “ever-controversial DM mutation” is hard to trust.
Why? Because even if a dog has the mutation, it doesn’t necessarily develop the disease.
So take any DNA health test for dogs with a grain of salt.
Always talk to your vet about your particular dog. Your vet can provide a detailed health exam during regular checkups.
Good preventative care for your pet is more likely to give you information about your dog’s health than their genetic makeup.
Answer to a mystery
Although the science of DNA testing is still evolving, it has come a long way in recent years. Countless online reviewers on Amazon, in various product reviews online, and even in the DoggyDNA Reddit community attest to the results of their pet’s breed.
For most pet parents, a DNA test for dogs is a positive experience. Learning more about your dog only helps strengthen your bond.
This sweet video from BuzzFeed shows that rescue dog owners learn the results of their dog’s DNA tests and, well, just try not to cry.
The Tail End
Keep in mind that ordering a DNA test through your vet will likely have added cost to the price, so it makes sense to test directly through the lab whenever possible.
Take Note: Be wary of prices from laboratories that appear “too low“.
Sometimes this unrealistically discounted price comes at the expense of the other important parts of the testing listed at the top of this article. Remember, the cost is important, but it is not the only consideration when choosing a provider you can trust.
You can order your DNA test now with DNA Diagnostics Center
Final Conclusion
In conclusion, dog DNA tests provide valuable insights into your dog’s breed, ancestry, and potential health concerns.
While the cost of having a test done at a veterinarian’s office may be higher than home DNA test kits, the additional support and expertise provided by your vet can be beneficial in understanding and managing your dog’s health.
The best overall DNA test for dogs is the Embark Breed & Health Kit, which provides you with a breed analysis and information about ancestors going back to great-grandparents.
It also tests for different genetic diseases! If you’re looking for something that costs a little less, the DNA My Dog Breed Identification Test Kit (view at Chewy) is a solid option that still provides reliable and fast results.
FAQ’S
Q: What is the average cost of a dog DNA test at a vet’s office?
A: The average cost of a dog DNA test at a vet’s office ranges from $100 to $200, depending on the complexity of the test and the specific services provided by the veterinary clinic.
Q: Are there additional fees for dog DNA tests at the vet?
A: There may be additional fees, such as consultation or sample collection fees, depending on the vet’s office. It’s essential to discuss these costs upfront to get a clear understanding of the total cost.
Q: Can I use an at-home dog DNA test kit instead of going to the vet?
A: Yes, at-home dog DNA test kits are available and typically cost between $70 and $150. They can provide similar information as tests done by a vet, but may not be as accurate or comprehensive.
Q: What factors can influence the cost of a dog DNA test at the vet?
A: Factors that can influence the cost of a dog DNA test include the type of test (e.g., breed identification, ancestry, or health screening), the veterinary clinic’s location, and any additional services provided.
Q: How long does it take to get the results of a dog DNA test from a vet?
A: The time it takes to receive the results of a dog DNA test varies depending on the test and the laboratory processing the sample. Generally, you can expect results in 2 to 4 weeks.
Q: Is the cost of a dog DNA test at the vet covered by pet insurance?
A: Some pet insurance plans may cover the cost of a dog DNA test, particularly if it’s deemed medically necessary. It’s best to check with your insurance provider to determine if this is covered under your specific plan.
Q: Can a dog DNA test at the vet help identify potential health issues?
A: Yes, a dog DNA test can help identify potential health issues, such as genetic predispositions to specific diseases or conditions. This information can help you and your vet make informed decisions about your dog’s health and well-being.
Fact Check
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Reference: Thesprucepets.com
