How long should I swab my dog?

30–60 seconds—longer for smaller breeds or younger puppies

You may be asking yourself, "How much saliva does the swab really need?"

Great question! Keep going until the sponge is completely soaked. Our sampling kit works under a wide variety of conditions. Occasionally, though, our lab will find that there is not enough DNA. In those cases, we'll send you a free replacement swab. 

How do I know you got DNA from my samples?
If our laboratory does not get enough DNA from the swabs on your dog, the laboratory will contact you. Otherwise, we'll send email updates along the way.

How often do you not get the DNA that is needed?
It is rare, but sometimes we need you to do another cheek swab on your dog. If this happens, the laboratory will call you to explain the situation and discuss options for obtaining a new sample.

How can I ensure that I am doing the swabbing correctly?
We include instructions in every kit. In addition, you can reference our page embarkvet.com/how-to-swab or watch our video instructions below:

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