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.

Citizen Science
FOR PET PARENTS
Citizen Science

Help Basepaws help all cats by participating in genetics research that supports the development of affordable screening tests that are painless for cats and easy for cat 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 a cat’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 cats everywhere.

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.
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.
Feline diabetes mellitus (Type II)

Feline diabetes (Type II) is the second most common endocrine disorder in cats. Our research aims to better understand the genetic and oral microbiome factors associated with a cat’s increased risk for the disease. If your cat has been diagnosed with Type II diabetes, please consider applying to this program.

Stage
Enrolling
Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (Type II) by a veterinarian.

Exclusion Criteria

Renal glycosuria, stress hyperglycemia, unrelated pancreatitis, hyperadrenocorticism, acromegaly, or currently on medications such as glucocorticoids or progestogens.

Please obtain a digital copy of your cat's medical records confirming diagnosis before applying.
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.
Feline gastrointestinal (GI) lymphoma

Feline GI lymphoma is a notoriously hard-to-diagnose disease that is often confused with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). If your cat has been diagnosed with B cell (large cell) or T cell (small cell) GI lymphoma, their sample can really make a difference in the development of better early detection screening tools for this disease.

Stage
Enrolling
Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of GI lymphoma by veterinarian.

Exclusion Criteria

Unrelated hyperthyroidism, intestinal neoplasia, adverse food reactions, renal and hepatic insufficiency, EPI, intestinal parasitism, enteropathy.

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

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.

Feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

IBD is a non-cancerous condition which causes chronic irritation and inflammation of a cat’s gastrointestinal tract. If your cat has been diagnosed with IBD, especially the idiopathic form, their oral swab sample could help us uncover genetic and microbiome factors associated with increased risk of developing IBD and improve capacity for earlier detection and accurate diagnoses of IBD. 

Stage
Enrolling
Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of IBD by a veterinarian.

Exclusion Criteria

Unrelated hyperthyroidism, intestinal neoplasia, adverse food reactions, viral infections (FeLV, FIV), renal and hepatic insufficiency, EPI, intestinal parasitism, enteropathy.

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

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the oldest cat on record lived to be 35 years old! We believe that a deeper understanding of the genetic factors that contribute to feline longevity may help increase a cat’s lifespan, but more importantly, do so in ways that enhance enjoyment of their golden years with fewer instances of pain and illness. There are ongoing studies focused on canine longevity, but no such studies exist for cats. If you have a cat aged 17 or older, they could be a perfect candidate for this groundbreaking research to help us better understand the genetic health markers associated with feline longevity.

Stage
Enrolling
Inclusion Criteria

Cats aged 17 years or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Cats younger than 17 years of age.

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.

Stage
Enrolling
Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of osteoarthritis by a veterinarian.

Exclusion Criteria

Lameness known to be related to neoplasia, primary neurologic or immunologic disorder, infection, recent joint trauma, or non-healed fracture. History of signs of intervertebral disc disease or evidence of recent injury resulting in neurologic deficit(s).

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

Stomatitis, also known as Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS), is a poorly understood dental disease that affects 0.7% to 10% of the general cat population. Basepaws is gathering DNA from cats with a stomatitis diagnosis to better understand the genetics and oral microbiome factors linked to this painful and debilitating disease.

Research results will help us add a new stomatitis risk assessment to our oral health test so that the disease can be detected earlier and help improve the prognosis for cats suffering from this condition.

Stage
Enrolling
Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of stomatitis by a veterinarian.

Exclusion Criteria

Tooth resorption; 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.
Click on a program below
Atopic Dermatitis
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.
CKD
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.
Diabetes
Feline diabetes mellitus (Type II)

Feline diabetes (Type II) is the second most common endocrine disorder in cats. Our research aims to better understand the genetic and oral microbiome factors associated with a cat’s increased risk for the disease. If your cat has been diagnosed with Type II diabetes, please consider applying to this program.

Stage
Enrolling
Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (Type II) by a veterinarian.

Exclusion Criteria

Renal glycosuria, stress hyperglycemia, unrelated pancreatitis, hyperadrenocorticism, acromegaly, or currently on medications such as glucocorticoids or progestogens.

Please obtain a digital copy of your cat's medical records confirming diagnosis before applying.
Food Allergies
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.
GI Lymphoma
Feline gastrointestinal (GI) lymphoma

Feline GI lymphoma is a notoriously hard-to-diagnose disease that is often confused with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). If your cat has been diagnosed with B cell (large cell) or T cell (small cell) GI lymphoma, their sample can really make a difference in the development of better early detection screening tools for this disease.

Stage
Enrolling
Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of GI lymphoma by veterinarian.

Exclusion Criteria

Unrelated hyperthyroidism, intestinal neoplasia, adverse food reactions, renal and hepatic insufficiency, EPI, intestinal parasitism, enteropathy.

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

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.

IBD
Feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

IBD is a non-cancerous condition which causes chronic irritation and inflammation of a cat’s gastrointestinal tract. If your cat has been diagnosed with IBD, especially the idiopathic form, their oral swab sample could help us uncover genetic and microbiome factors associated with increased risk of developing IBD and improve capacity for earlier detection and accurate diagnoses of IBD. 

Stage
Enrolling
Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of IBD by a veterinarian.

Exclusion Criteria

Unrelated hyperthyroidism, intestinal neoplasia, adverse food reactions, viral infections (FeLV, FIV), renal and hepatic insufficiency, EPI, intestinal parasitism, enteropathy.

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

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the oldest cat on record lived to be 35 years old! We believe that a deeper understanding of the genetic factors that contribute to feline longevity may help increase a cat’s lifespan, but more importantly, do so in ways that enhance enjoyment of their golden years with fewer instances of pain and illness. There are ongoing studies focused on canine longevity, but no such studies exist for cats. If you have a cat aged 17 or older, they could be a perfect candidate for this groundbreaking research to help us better understand the genetic health markers associated with feline longevity.

Stage
Enrolling
Inclusion Criteria

Cats aged 17 years or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Cats younger than 17 years of age.

Osteoarthritis
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.

Stage
Enrolling
Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of osteoarthritis by a veterinarian.

Exclusion Criteria

Lameness known to be related to neoplasia, primary neurologic or immunologic disorder, infection, recent joint trauma, or non-healed fracture. History of signs of intervertebral disc disease or evidence of recent injury resulting in neurologic deficit(s).

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

Stomatitis, also known as Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS), is a poorly understood dental disease that affects 0.7% to 10% of the general cat population. Basepaws is gathering DNA from cats with a stomatitis diagnosis to better understand the genetics and oral microbiome factors linked to this painful and debilitating disease.

Research results will help us add a new stomatitis risk assessment to our oral health test so that the disease can be detected earlier and help improve the prognosis for cats suffering from this condition.

Stage
Enrolling
Inclusion Criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of stomatitis by a veterinarian.

Exclusion Criteria

Tooth resorption; 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.

Pet parents of qualifying cats will get a free Cat 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 cat parents based in the U.S. at this time.

Example Basepaws Report
Other Conditions

Other Conditions

  • Cancer, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), Obesity, Osteoarthritis, Idiopathic Cystitis, Oxalate Urolithiasis, and Struvite Urolithiasis.
Email Us

"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."

Carolina Gonzalez
Carolina Gonzalez
R&D Coordinator
Did you know?

Did you know?

Humans and cats share over 90% DNA! There are also 200+ inherited human diseases that closely resemble those seen in cats. The impressive amount of genomic similarity shared between cats and humans means that the potential applications for Basepaws’ genetics research could translate to human therapeutics. Learn about how we’re exploring this in our feline longevity research.

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Our Science

Our Science

Discover the cutting-edge science behind the Basepaws breed, oral microbiome, and health and trait marker analyses.

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