Wisdom Panel™ DNA Tests 5 Million Pets and Uncovers 5 Million Stories Along the Way

For more than 20 years, Wisdom Panel has harnessed the power of genetics to shape the future of pet health and deepen the bond between people and pets.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wisdom Panel™, the world's leading pet DNA service, has reached a milestone in its 20+ year history: 5 million pets’ DNA tested.

For decades, Wisdom Panel has helped pet parents understand their pet's unique story—one test at a time—strengthening the bond they share. To celebrate 5 million pets tested, the company surveyed over 10,000 pet parents to uncover the heartwarming (and often hilarious) ways that bond plays out in everyday life.

This deep connection with pets often shapes how we approach our social lives. For example, if you’ve ever had a friend cancel plans last minute, don’t take it personally—it turns out 85% of pet parents have bailed on plans to stay home with their pet. And when it comes to relationships, pets might just be the ultimate plus-one: 65% of respondents would rather have a pet than a partner—no drama, just unconditional love. After all, for many, pets aren’t just companions—they’re family. In fact, 81% of pet parents consider their pet their child.

Other highlights from the pet parent survey include:

• Pets as emotional lifelines: 99% believe their pet understands their emotions
• Not “just” pets: 97% talk to their pets like they're people
• Together forever: 25% have included their pet in their will
• Let’s party: 92% celebrate their pet’s birthday or “gotcha” day
• Pampered pets: 64% spend at least $1,000 per year on pet care and tech

Advancing pet health and the relationship people have with their pets has always been a priority when it comes to the partnership between Wisdom Panel and its community of pet parents. With an unmatched and ever-growing database of 5 million pets, Wisdom Panel is leading groundbreaking research that’s unlocking genetic discoveries to eradicate hereditary diseases. And thanks to over 200,000 (and counting) community science survey responses from pet parents, the company has developed sophisticated genetic prediction models to deliver first-of-their-kind behavior insights, helping pet parents understand their dog’s quirks and tailor care accordingly.

"Every DNA sample we analyze fuels our research and brings us closer to the next scientific breakthrough in pet health," said Christine Fong, General Manager at Wisdom Panel. "That means when pet parents trust Wisdom Panel with their dog or cat's genetic testing, they aren't just getting invaluable insights about their pet, they're contributing to the health and well-being of future generations of pets, too. That's the power of the community we have built together."

To learn about Wisdom Panel's journey to 5 million pets tested, including more pet parent insights and unique stories of how genetic testing has impacted pets and their people, visit wisdompanel.com/en-us/5-million-pet-dna-tests.

About Wisdom Panel

At Wisdom Panel™, we believe pet health is as important as human health. We've spent 20+ years researching pet genetics to develop DNA tests that unveil in-depth insights into a pet's breed, health, traits, relatives, and more. With a Wisdom Panel™ report, pet parents can see their pet's whole story—and use the insights to develop a personalized care plan with their vet. So far, 5M+ pet parents and over 7,000 veterinarians worldwide have used Wisdom Panel™ to bring pets a new level of care.

As a member of Mars Petcare's Science & Diagnostics division, we're committed to shaping the future of pet health through industry-leading research. Every DNA sample we receive contributes to the world's largest veterinary genetic research study, bringing our scientists one step closer to the next breakthrough in pet health.

To learn more about Wisdom Panel, visit wisdompanel.com and follow us on social.