Sample Collection
How do I swab my pet's mouth well for a successful DNA test?
See this short video starring Hosico Cat to see how a proper swab sample is collected:. For kittens and puppies who are still receiving milk, please wait at least 60 minutes after feeding before swabbing the mouth for the DNA sample. There's no bette
How long are the test kits viable?
Basepaws test kits remain viable for about 2 years unopened and 1 year after the sample is taken from the pet. The expiration date on the kit is usually only an indicator of when the purple liquid in the test tube has disintegrated. If there is still
There seems to be food on the swab, is my pet's sample ruined?
Not exactly! If you feed your pet cooked food, whether that is kibble or wet food, we should be able to work around some mild contamination. In that case, we normally recommend sending in the sample, it may very well be completely fine! If we happen
Can you DNA test a deceased pet?
We understand how meaningful genetic insights can be for pet parents, especially during difficult times. As part of our ongoing commitment to scientific quality and a clear, compassionate customer experience, Basepaws does not offer post-mortem (afte
If my pet is on oral medication, will the sample be compromised?
Please wait at least an hour after the pet has taken his or her oral medication before collecting the sample, since medicine residue may interfere with the efficiency of the DNA extraction process. Otherwise, non-oral medication should have no impact