Sign Up for Feline Health Research | Cat DNA & Oral Micriobiome Test

Partners in research and innovation

We are proud to partner with pet parents and with pet health professionals on research that delivers actionable knowledge to help people make empowered, proactive decisions for the health and well-being of their pets.

For Pet Parents

Citizen Science

Help Basepaws help all pets by participating in genetics research that supports the development of affordable screening tests that are painless for cats and dogs, and easy for pet parents to use for earlier detection of disease. These screening tests could provide more opportunities to address issues sooner with a veterinarian and implement a treatment plan that addresses pet’s unique health needs.

Review the programs below to learn more about how you can participate in research that has the potential to create a healthier, happier future for pets everywhere.

Click on a program below

Feline Atopic Dermatitis

Feline atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as feline atopy or non-flea non-food allergic dermatitis, is the second most common allergy in cats (after flea allergy dermatitis). Estimates reveal that this disease affects 12.5 percent of the domestic cat population. If your cat has been diagnosed with AD, their oral swab sample could help us to better understand the biology behind this highly prevalent disease.

Stage

Enrolling

Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of atopic dermatitis by a veterinarian and/or veterinary dermatologist.

Exclusion Criteria

Unrelated ophthalmic, respiratory, or dermatological conditions, including flea bite hypersensitivity, adverse food reaction, sarcoptic mange, pyoderma, yeast infection, and contact dermatitis. Current use of antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal medications, as well as probiotic supplements.

Please obtain a digital copy of your cat's medical records confirming diagnosis before applying.

Does your cat meet the criteria? Apply now

Feline chronic kidney disease (CKD)

CKD is a major feline health issue from which one in 30 cats suffer, often going undiagnosed in cats until the illness reaches a more advanced stage. If your cat has been diagnosed with CKD, especially before the age of five, we welcome your participation in this study.

Stage

Enrolling

Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of CKD by a veterinarian.

Exclusion Criteria

Unrelated hyperthyroidism, UTI, systemic hypertension, hypoadrenocorticism, nephrolithiasis and ureterolithiasis.

Please obtain a digital copy of your cat's medical records confirming diagnosis before applying.

Does your cat meet the criteria? Apply now

Feline food allergic dermatitis

Food allergic dermatitis often presents with year-round skin inflammation and itching-related discomfort. Unfortunately, this condition is an increasingly common problem seen in cats. If your cat is suffering from food allergic dermatitis, we welcome you to participate in our study to help us better understand the genetics and oral microbiome factors that may be associated with food allergies in cats.

Stage

Enrolling

Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of food allergic dermatitis by a veterinarian and/or veterinary dermatologist.

Exclusion Criteria

Unrelated ophthalmic, respiratory, or dermatological conditions, including flea bite hypersensitivity, atopic dermatitis, sarcoptic mange, pyoderma, yeast infection, contact dermatitis, superficial bacterial folliculitis, Malassezia dermatitis, otitis externa, and media. Current use of antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal medications, as well as probiotic supplements.

Please obtain a digital copy of your cat's medical records confirming diagnosis before applying.

Does your cat meet the criteria? Apply now

Feline Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease that affects the tissues that comprise a joint, such as cartilage, joint capsule, and surrounding bone. The joints most commonly affected in cats are the hip, knee, ankle, and elbow.

Please obtain a digital copy of your cat's medical records confirming diagnosis before applying.

Does your cat meet the criteria? Apply now

Healthy Cat

Is your cat healthy? Basepaws is looking for cats that have not been diagnosed with any dental, chronic, or systemic diseases, and do not currently present with an active illness (or have within the last month). If your cat is one year of age or older and has received a clean bill of health from the veterinarian within the past six months, you may qualify for this feline health research effort.

Stage

Enrolling

Inclusion Criteria

Veterinary evaluation within the last six months confirming the absence of any chronic or acute diseases.

Exclusion Criteria

Acute illness with onset that occurred within the last month, or that is currently present. Current use of antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal medications, as well as probiotic supplements.

Does your cat meet the criteria? Apply now

Help science progress – get a free DNA test for your pet

Pet parents of qualifying participants will get a FREE cat or dog Breed + Health DNA test to collect a sample, and a free Basepaws report to help you get to know your kitty better—inside and out! Shipping of a test is free both ways; however, Basepaws can only accommodate free shipping for pet parents based in the U.S.

"Basepaws is so grateful for our pet parent community of citizen scientists! Their participation in our research is helping to change the future of early detection and diagnosis of diseases in cats, one DNA sample at a time."

Julie Yang, PhD
Technical Lead (genetics)

Affordable, at-home pet health testing for every pet parent

Basepaws DNA tests are easy, safe, and quick. Simply swab and send, and we’ll do the rest; all reports are sent straight to your inbox.

[Oral Health Test for Cats

$99.00
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[Breed + Health Cat DNA Test

$159.00 $103.99
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[Whole Genome Sequencing

$499.00
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