Does the DNA test require a blood sample?

No, we don't. It's a simple cheek swab for saliva.

While both blood and saliva can provide a good source of DNA for genetic testing, our goal is to provide easy testing without requiring a trip to the vet’s office to collect blood or special return shipping methods. Each test undergoes stringent quality control and analysis to ensure the accuracy of results, leading to a greater than 99.99% accuracy rate for most tests.

When you order a kit, a cheek swab and instructions will be mailed to your shipping address. 

By swabbing your dog’s cheek, you can easily take a sample in under a minute at home, no blood required. Then you mail the sample in a provided prepaid return envelope, and your results will be available in a few weeks from receipt at our facility. 

Can I collect it myself?
Yes, the collection process is very simple and can be performed at home by following the instructions in each kit. 

For more tips, see How to swab your dog.

Can Embark test other sample types?

At this time, Embark is only able to routinely accept Embark-specific cheek swabs for testing.