Genetic testing for cats
By jwfarrimond
@jwfarrimond (4473)
June 13, 2009 2:07am CST
I've just come across this. http://www.catgenes.org The company provides DNA testing for cats at $30 for each cat. They can provide information about breed identification and genetic disease identification and there is also some interesting and informative articles about cat genetics.
My cats are "just" ordinary domestic shorthairs, and though I'll not be using this service myself, I found the website very interesting and especially the articles on cat genetics and I'm wondering just how many people who are not professional breeders would actually use this service. How about you?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
13 Jun 09
All of the cats I've owned have been greatly loved and have lived into their 20's, and were untested. While it might have been interesting to see breed information, I don't think I'd pay money to know. None of my cats have been pedigreed, they're all Heinz 57 breeds. This testing will, at some point, be required for breeders on the cats and kittens they sell.
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
13 Jun 09
As far as pedigree cats are concerned, I think that it's intended to help breeders to get better breeding results and to help them to eliminate harmfull traits. Of course, breeders have already been doing that for a long time without the help of genetics.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
13 Jun 09
I wouldn't really need this test but I have a friend that breeds munchkins and he would get a lot of use out of it. I have heard they have these tests for dogs as well. I think I read that they are trying to get AKC to accept them to paper full blooded dogs. Great info!
• United States
15 Jun 09
i was on a walk and found a cat about 5 years later it had kittens. i kept one of them and my Minny(the runt) is beautiful. she has tortoiseshell fur. oculd you use this test just to see how man different breeds crossed to make her. like what percentage of each breed is in her?
