Cat Age Test - At-Home DNA Methylation Test to Estimate Your Cat’s Age, Mouth Swab Kit for Rescue & Shelter Cats, Includes Estimated Birthday, Life Stage & Health Insights

The EpiPaws Cat Age Test estimates the age of your cat with DNA methylation, to an accuracy within 12 months of actual age. It is a great option for rescue cats, shelter cats, adopted cats, or any cat without a known birthday. Unlike traditional age estimates based on teeth, physical features, or appearance, the EpiPaws Cat Age Test uses a patent pending process that measures DNA methylation at specific areas of the genome to estimate your cat’s chronological age. Results include an age estimate, suggested birthday, life stage, and life stage-specific health insights. Each kit includes everything you need to collect a DNA sample from your cat’s cheek at home and send it to the lab for analysis. Once your sample is received, results are available online in approximately 4–6 weeks. Unlock Your Cat’s Wellness: Knowing your cat’s age and their life stage is helpful when caring for them. Your cat’s age can help guide important decisions around nutrition, exercise, preventive care, behavior, and overall wellness. This is especially valuable for rescue cats and adopted cats whose age may be unknown or uncertain. With a more accurate understanding of your cat’s age and life stage, you can feel more confident that you are giving them age-appropriate care and staying proactive as their needs change over time. Each age estimate comes with health insights specific to your cat’s life stage. Health markers are not measured in this test. Accurate Cat Age Testing: The EpiPaws Cat Age Test uses a proprietary epigenetics process to estimate age through DNA methylation. This allows EpiPaws to deliver accurate age estimation while keeping the test safe and easy for pet parents. Before epigenetic age testing technology was available, the best practice for estimating a cat’s age was a veterinarian’s expert opinion based on physical features, teeth, and other visible changes in the body. However, after about 7 months of age, it becomes increasingly difficult for a vet to estimate a cat’s age using physical features alone. These estimates are often within a 5-year range. The EpiPaws Cat Age Test is recommended for cats with age uncertainties over 1 year. Age estimation accuracy is within 12 months of actual age for most samples, with 75% of validation samples coming within 5 months of actual age. This test is not recommended for kittens. Epigenetic Age Estimation: Epigenetics is the study of molecules and mechanisms that interact with DNA and affect gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence. The specific epigenetic molecule used in this chronological age test is DNA methylation - the addition of a methyl group to the DNA sequence. By measuring DNA methylation at specific areas of the genome, EpiPaws can estimate the chronological age of cats with accuracy. This proprietary approach gives you a science-based way to better understand your cat’s age, life stage, and age-related care needs.

• SAFE, EASY & AFFORDABLE CAT AGE TEST: The EpiPaws Cat Age Test is an at-home DNA-based age test for cats. Use science to discover your cat’s age with a simple mouth swab test that measures DNA methylation at specific areas of the genome.
• SWAB, MAIL, GET RESULTS: Register your kit, create your cat’s pet profile, swab your cat’s cheek, print a return label, and mail the sample back to the lab. Results are available online in approximately 4–6 weeks from sample receipt.
• INCLUDES ESTIMATED BIRTHDAY & LIFE STAGE: Results include your cat’s age estimate, suggested birthday, life stage, and life stage-specific health insights. Reports can be viewed online and downloaded or printed.
• GREAT FOR RESCUE & SHELTER CATS: Perfect for adopted cats, rescue cats, shelter cats, or any cat without a known birthday. A more accurate age estimate can help you better understand your cat’s needs and provide age-appropriate care. Not suitable for kittens.
• BE MORE PROACTIVE WITH YOUR CAT’S CARE: Knowing your cat’s age and life stage can help guide nutrition, exercise, behavior expectations, preventive care, and overall wellness. Health insights are specific to your cat’s life stage. Health markers are not measured in this test.