Embark Launches First Age Test to Determine Canine’s Calendar Age
Embark Veterinary, Inc., a global leader in dog health and genetics, has launched its Age Test. A first-of-its-kind product in the dog DNA industry, the Age Test uses a unique Embark-designed algorithm to measure a dog’s age. The test relies on the cutting-edge field of epigenetics — the study of how external factors can change the way genes work — to estimate when a dog was born.
The ultimate goal of the Age Test is to empower dog owners with the knowledge they need to provide personalized pet care. Knowing a dog’s age helps unlock the unique story behind a rescue dog with an unknown past. Further, identifying a dog’s life stage can be crucial to making the right decisions regarding exercise, nutrition and veterinary care. Dog owners who conduct the Age Test on their dog receive a report with insights and guidance for the appropriate life stage of the dog. During the early access phase of the Age Test, 40 percent of customers reported taking some action and 31 percent of those customers reported scheduling a visit with their vet as a result of learning their dog’s age.
“At Embark, we firmly believe that the personalization of pet care is one of the most impactful ways to improve life and longevity for all dogs,” said Embark CEO Ryan Boyko. “Throughout the early access phase of the Age Test launch, we’ve heard from pet parents across the country who are eager to make the best choices for their dog and now finally have the information they need to do so.”
Embark’s Age Test estimates a dog’s age by utilizing a beadchip technology that focuses on DNA methylation patterns. Methylation is a natural process that alters DNA molecules without altering the underlying DNA sequence and plays an important role in gene regulation. Backed by 10 years of peer-reviewed research on the link between methylation and aging, scientists know that these patterns are predictable and can measure methylation to estimate how much time has passed between a dog’s birth and when the test was taken. Ultimately, data generated by the Embark Age Test will fuel future research on aging and epigenetics.
After extensive testing with hundreds of dogs who ranged in age from 6 months to 18 years old, from more than 100 breeds and breed mixes and of various body sizes and weights, the Embark science team is confident it has developed the most accurate canine age test on the market. For all dogs tested, 70 percent had an age estimate within ± 5 months and 92 percent fell within ± 10 months.
“Veterinarians have long had patients with unknown ages, which often poses a challenge when it comes to recommending an appropriate diet, exercise regimen or preventative health screenings,” said Embark Veterinary Geneticist Dr. Jenna Dockweiler. “By unlocking a dog’s age, pet parents and veterinarians could work together to improve and extend the lives of their canine patients.”
The Embark Age Test was developed in partnership with Illumina, a global leader in DNA Sequencing and Microarrays and whose array platform has been used to develop the field of epigenetic aging over the past decade. It is purchased separately from Embark’s DNA kit products for $159. For more information about the Age Test, click here.