How Much Does a Dog DNA Test Cost And Is It Worth It?

DNA test kits have been gaining popularity over the past few years. They provide dog owners with a simple and safe way of learning about their dog’s genetics. For a lot of people, these test kits are still a new concept. When they hear about them, many questions come to mind. The two most common being; what is a DNA test? And how much does a dog DNA test cost? We’re going to cater to both of these questions today. In this article, we shall be briefly covering the purpose of dog ​DNA tests. We will also go through their average costs and discuss whether they are worth paying or not.

As their name suggests, these kits let owners conduct dog DNA tests on their dogs. You might think that using a test kit is going to be complicated and technical. However, they are simple because you aren’t supposed to do the dog DNA testing on your own. A DNA test kit gives you a cotton cheek swab, a container, and instructions. You use the cotton ​cheek swab to collect a saliva sample from your dog. This sample then gets placed in the provided container, and you ship it to the kit provider. Once you’ve done your part, the test kit company will begin analyzing the DNA sample that you provided.

A DNA test kit is more of an intangible service that you buy. And it makes the process of having your pet tested a lot easier. You don’t have to take your dog to a vet, and the best part is that you don’t have to draw blood from your dog. This makes ​these kits safer and less scary for your pet.

There are a number of reputable test kit companies out there (we’ve reviewed some of the best here). Each test kit will provide you with a variety of test results which are presented in report form. Every test kit provider does its ​DNA testing differently. However, you can expect all of them to provide you with information on two things:

Your dog’s ancestry information will give you details on your dog’s bloodline. This information lets you determine whether your dog is a purebred or not. In case of mixed breed dogs, DNA test results can tell you exactly how mixed is your dog’s bloodline. Some of the better ​kits can even provide you with exact percentages for every dog breed that is present in your dog’s bloodline. Producing accurate ancestry information becomes trickier with mixed breed dogs. This is why many ​kits have a hard time producing 100% accurate ancestry data.

Genetic information derived from test results can be really useful. It provides you with insight on your dog’s physical and mental traits; such as their ideal weight and height, their temperament, etc. More importantly, you can get information on your dog’s health conditions. These include any dietary restrictions that your dog may have or any abnormality that may affect their health. Information such as this can be priceless for dog owners since it lets them take better care of their dogs. According to this article, taking better care of dogs can exceed their lifespan by many years. A reliable DNA test kit can provide you with the information you need to make sure that your dog is well cared for.

A DNA test kit can cost you as little as a $100 to as much as $300. If you look at the contents of a test kit’s box, then you’ll obviously think that this is an absurd amount. However, keep in mind that it’s the dog DNA testing services that you’re paying for. The price of a test kit depends on what they have to offer and on the kit provider’s reputation. Usually, kits that have a higher price are more reliable. Their results tend to have lesser chances of error. However, their high price point makes them unattainable for some people.

If you’re looking for a DNA test kit just for the sake of knowing your dog better then you can go for a more affordable one. Their results might be off by a bit, but they can still provide you with great insight into your dog’s ancestry and genetics. The more affordable kits are recommended for pet owners who are curious about their dog. They’re also a decent gateway option for people who want to use these kits but aren’t sure about them yet.

If you want to conduct a test on your dog for medical reasons, then you should brace yourself and invest in an expensive kit. The pricier kits are much more reliable in terms of accuracy. They can also give you more qualitative results about your dog’s health condition. Many of the high-end kits present results in a manner that makes them useful reference material during visits to the vet as well.

It’s safe to say that these kits aren’t cheap. Even the more affordable ones can cost you a hefty amount of money. If we factor in their practicality and the amount of useful information that they have to offer then we can say that you do get your money’s worth.

They provide you with a simple and safe approach to having your dog thoroughly tested. Your pet doesn’t have to put up with any stress, and you don’t have to get an appointment from your vet. The better test kit providers even offer superb customer support. This adds more value to their services. You can contact them through the email or over the phone and discuss your test results with them. This makes it easier for pet owners to go through the more technical parts of their test results.

A serious DNA test will leave you equipped with vital information that lets you become a better owner. You can optimize your dog’s diet, their day to day routine, and take preventive measures to maintain their health. If you’re a breeder, then you can even use these tests to provide proof of your dog’s breed ​purity.

Overall, a DNA test kit can be a pretty great investment — one that will make your life as a pet owner a lot easier. And in doing so, it will guarantee a comfortable and enjoyable life for your pup. We think that the cost to benefit ratio is tipped in the buyer’s favor, making these ​kits worth going for.