Can you DNA test a deceased pet?Updated 19 days ago
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 (after death) DNA testing for pets.
Our Policy
- Basepaws does not accept or process DNA samples from deceased pets.
- We also do not accept alternative sample types such as fur, hair, blood, tissue, or Q-tip backups for any pets, living or deceased.
- All samples must be collected using an unused Basepaws kit from a living pet following the instructions provided.
Why we don't offer post-mortem testing
- Ensuring consistent sample quality and integrity is essential for reliable results.
- Post-mortem samples can be more prone to DNA degradation, contamination, or collection variability, which may compromise testing accuracy and turnaround times.
- We’re focusing our resources on delivering the most dependable experience for living-pet testing using cheek swabs collected per our kit instructions.
What to do if your pet’s health is declining
While we cannot process samples from deceased pets, we want to help you plan ahead if your pet is still with you:
- Order a Basepaws kit as soon as possible if you’d like to test.
- Collect the cheek swab per the kit instructions from your living pet and register the kit barcode to your account.
- Send the sample back promptly using the included return packaging.
- If you have questions about timing or collection, contact us before swabbing so we can guide you.
- Note: We no longer recommend or accept “backup” Q-tip samples or any sample not collected with a Basepaws-issued swab.
Need support?
We’re here to help you navigate options and timing.
Email us: [email protected]