Back in 2009, I was living by myself. I was at that stage of life when I was technically an adult but didn't feel like one — and the recession had left me feeling a little depressed.
"You should get a cat," my boyfriend — who years later would become my husband — told me. He had a point. Not only had I wanted a cat for a long time, but now was a good time to take that jump into pet ownership. A cat had the potential of lifting me out of the funk I was in.
After being stood up by Craigslist kitten meetups more than once, I was feeling worse about my chances. That is, until an acquaintance posted about a kitten she found outside. A neighborhood cat had given birth, and multiple kittens were trying to survive the cold. That's when I met Finn. She was actually the slowest of the bunch and the likely runt of the litter. Finn was a smart kitten — she was approximately 6 or 7 weeks old, and she knew how to use a litter box. We hit it off immediately.
But it's only been recently that I've wondered about her history. What were her parents like? What's her lineage?
Before you say anything — yes, Finn is biologically a female cat.
While her initial caregiver assumed she was a boy, I went with it as well after some googling. Of course, when I learned the truth about her identity, she had already gotten used to her name, and I felt it'd be even more strange to change it. Officially, her first name is Captain Phinneus McClaws. But we call her Finn — along with Finbo, for a nickname.
Thus, Finn and I started our relationship based on a little bit of confusion. With the DNA test, I could learn even more about those early days.
Finn isn't the first pet I've DNA tested.
Finn has an adopted canine brother named Burly who joined the family in 2012, just around a month after my husband and I got married. Burly was yet another big mystery. While he was listed as a Jack Russell mix, you never know what that really means. His DNA test was done years back as a way to figure out elements of his personality. Turns out, he's one-half Parson Russell terrier and one-half absolute mutt. The lab wasn't able to figure anything else out. My theory is that a stray broke into a breeder's yard, and Burly was the result.
While those results were slightly disappointing, they were something. And I felt like I had a stronger connection to my dog after coming to a conclusion regarding how he ended up at the shelter. Why not try that on Finn?
Well, because getting a DNA sample from a cat is terrifying. That's why.
My dog was tough enough, and he's eager to please. Finn, on the other hand, is a cat. She's got her full claws (because declawing is a cruel practice) and is very independent. Cats come with all types of varied personalities, but Finn isn't a cuddly lap cat. She's the kind of cat who looks like she's always plotting. In fact, I often compare her to Orin from Parks and Recreation. She's a big fan of staring at you quietly from a corner.
And I love her for that. She's got owl-like tendencies, and that's pretty special. But the thought of sticking a swab in her mouth and rolling it around seemed a little dangerous.
Shockingly, Finn had seemingly developed a trust in me after all these years, and she let me do it twice with no incident. Twice.
The results came back sooner than I thought they would.
After swabbing and sending back the sample for her Wisdom Panel DNA test, I only had to wait a few weeks until I was alerted that the results were in. It was much quicker than I expected.
The test told me that they found six breeds in Finn's DNA, which is crazy. In my eyes, she was simply a house cat.
Not going to lie — some of the results were somewhat funny.
Like, when the results revealed that all of her great-grandparents were American domestic cats. Yes, I trust DNA and science, but I guess I never pictured her great-grandparents — or even her grandparents — before. It's incredible to know that this little lost stray kitten had such a huge backstory.
I also expected that Finn was 100% American domestic. Most reformed strays seem to be. But while 43% of her DNA was set in that direction, there were a few surprises.
She's got a lot of Maine coon in her.
She's 16% Maine coon, 14% Norwegian forest cat, and 7% Scottish fold — who would have thought? The analysis suggests that one of her parents contained a lot of this different DNA. While I wish I got to learn even more about her biological feline parents, this alone was more information than I ever expected.
But that's not the only thing that the Wisdom Panel test detected. It also told me her blood type and that no genetic health predispositions in her sample were detected. She's been a pretty healthy cat for all of these years, so that checks out.
After receiving the sample, Wisdom Panel put it to the test by checking it for abnormalities.
It makes you feel good, knowing that a team of scientists has ruled out severe health issues that might crop up. Of course, you never know — health can be pretty unpredictable at times. Yet it's good to know that when it comes to her care, she's a generally healthy cat.
But DNA testing was also able to figure out some of her traits.
The results predicted that she very likely had solid-color hair and a long tail.
The test results even went over toe traits. But one of the best things about tests like these is that there's constantly more to find.
As a big fan of DNA tests (because why not learn all you can about yourself?), I noticed a similar trait in the 23 and Me test I took a few years back. I opted for the wellness information just to know what to be on the lookout for. And the company continuously updates me with new findings once it has them, which is pretty cool.
It reminded me that everyone has a story.
Think about it — every living thing on the planet has a story of how they became who they are. While I personally stopped Finn from continuing her lineage by herself (since it's always wise to have your pets spayed and neutered, as Bob Barker states), it's interesting to think about what her kittens would have been like. Which traits would they have taken on?
It also made me appreciate Finn on a new level.
Obviously, I have a ton of respect for Finn. She hasn't destroyed any of my things, is generally not aggressive or mean, and seems to go with the flow. Since I got her in my 20s, she's gone through more moves than any pet ever should (approximately five) and hasn't disowned me.
But now I feel like I'm getting to know her more for who she really is on the inside. Her DNA showcases so much history.
Thinking about DNA-testing your pet? Here's what you should know beforehand.
Wisdom Panel is one of the best tests to get. It's a bit pricey at $129.99, but it's worth it if you consider your cat to be a huge part of your family. It'd also make the perfect holiday gift. It's one of those gifts that cat lovers just don't know they need but would love to get. Plus, $1 from every kit goes to helping shelter pups find loving families, so it's a sweet way to give back.
But you should brace yourself.
DNA is — of course — very personal. And if something comes up that you're not ready to see, that might cause a little bit of turmoil. So you need to make sure that you're ready for what you find.
If you happen to be a cat breeder, there's also a specialty test just for you. It's called the Optimal Selection Feline test, and it's $99.99.
If you think you have an interesting mix, that's even more of a reason to do a DNA test.
If Finn inherited the ears of a Scottish fold, that'd have been pretty incredible. Or if she had a really long coat but the overall features of an American domestic, it would have been interesting to see where, exactly, that came from. If you have a mix and you're unsure of their history, this is the perfect test to solve that puzzle. Plus, breed detection may lead to discovering where individual personality quirks might come from. Not all cats are the same, and DNA is a big reason why.
Wisdom Panel also offers bundle packets.
While I DNA-tested my dog years back, I could have done both at the same time. Wisdom Panel offers test bundles if you've got multiple pets in your household, and it's a great way to dedicate time toward getting to know your furry friends on a new level.
Some people might think DNA-testing pets is a bit extreme, but really, it's a great way to bond with your dog or cat on a different level. I have no regrets with either test.
Would I do it again? Of course.
Especially since I didn't get clawed to death, like I initially predicted. Your cat might not be quite as cool when getting the sample, but let me serve as living proof that it's possible.
While Finn is an only cat, I'd definitely consider testing other cats who reside with me in the future. And I'd probably do it even earlier, just so I can learn as much as I can from the get-go. It's fascinating what a couple of cheek cells can tell you about your furry best bud.
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