How to Swab Your Dog

Remove Collection Tube

Open the kit and remove the tube from its packaging. Do not remove the swab from the tube (you can use the tube as a handle).

Swab your dog for 30-60 seconds

Take the swab and gently rub the inside of your dog’s cheek pouch and under their tongue to collect saliva for 30-60 seconds.

Some tips to get the best quality sample:

• We recommend swabbing your dog for 60 seconds. The most common reason for a test to come back inconclusive is because of low DNA concentration, so a longer swabbing time increases your chances for success!
• Show your dog a treat (don’t let them eat it) so they get nice and slobbery.
• Don’t let your dog eat for 30 minutes prior to swabbing.
• Get more swabbing tips!

Unscrew cap, place swab in tube, and seal your sample

Unscrew the cap and turn the swab upside down. Place the swab inside the collection tube.

Don’t spill the liquid – it is needed to stabilize the DNA until it’s processed.

Screw the cap until you cannot turn it any further.

Mix sample

Make sure the cap is screwed on tightly over the sample collection tube. Invert the tube and shake for 10 seconds.

Activate your kit

Click the button below to activate your kit. To avoid any delays, please do this before mailing your kit back to us. (Prepaid shipping for US customers only.
See instructions for international shipping.)

Activate

Mail your sample

Send your sample to Embark with the prepaid envelope included in your kit. Don’t worry, your sample is stable for at least 6 months, but who wants to wait that long?
Keep a record of the USPS tracking number on your mailer in case you need it.

You’re all done!

You’ll get results back in 2-4 weeks for the Breed ID Test, Breed + Health Test, and Purebred and Health tests and within 8 weeks for the Age Test.

Activate your kit

Sign in or create an account to complete your dog’s profile. Activate the kit using the six-character ID code printed on the sample collection tubes.

In order for our scientists to complete the analysis, you must register your sample.

For best results, collect a sample first thing in the morning before feeding your dog.

Activate

Put on the gloves; then, uncap the tube

Open the tube containing a sterile swab. Find your dog’s gumline—this is where the teeth and gums meet.

Swab the gumline

Brush the swab along the entire outer top portion of the gumline. Then, brush along the entire outer bottom portion of the gumline. Swab back and forth along the entire gumline for 60 seconds.

Place the swab back into the tube and securely cap it.

Mail your sample

Place the tube into the prepaid return mailer and promptly mail it back to AnimalBiome.

You’re all done!

You’ll get results back in 2-3 weeks.

Use a bag from home to collect a poop sample from your dog

While sampling, make note of its consistency and refer to the fecal scoring chart.

Gather sampling supplies on a tabletop or other surface

Put on the gloves; then uncap both sample tubes, being careful not to spill the clear liquid inside.

Place both tubes into the stabilizing holes inside the box

Open swabs and wooden stick, and then untie the poop bag

Taking care to keep your gloves clean, open the bag to create a small work area. Then, open one package of swabs and the wrapped wooden stick.

Break open the poop with the wooden stick

This exposes the center which has not been contaminated by dirt or other particles.

Collect your sample

Take one swab and scoop a pea-sized piece of poop from the inner section.

If your dog’s poop is too soft to break open with the stick, you can dip the swab directly into the sample. Do your best to avoid any contaminants.

If your dog has very soft poop or diarrhea, dip the swab tip into the poop and ensure the entire swab tip is completely covered.

If your dog has very hard poop, use the swab or stick to transfer the sample.

Transfer the sample into the tube

Push it below the surface of the clear liquid. The liquid should change color. For very soft poop or diarrhea, swirl the swab tip in the liquid to transfer as much material as possible.

Carefully screw the cap back on

Ensure the tube is sealed tightly to prevent leakage.

Return to step 6

Use a new swab to collect from a similar spot on the other side of the poop sample.

Activate your kit

Sign in or create an account to complete your dog’s profile. Activate the kit, using the six-character ID code printed on the sample collection tubes.

In order for our scientists to complete the analysis, you must register your sample.

Activate

Mail your sample

Place both sample tubes into the clear bag. Seal the bag inside the provided prepaid return mailer and promptly mail it back to AnimalBiome.

You’re all done!

You’ll get results back in 2-3 weeks.