Recommended Free Tools
Heartworm disease affects both dogs and cats, but screening is different for each species. The American Heartworm Society (AHS) recommends annual antigen and microfilaria testing for dogs, routine screening for cats using both antigen and antibody tests, and year-round preventive medication for dogs. A veterinarian should interpret test results and help choose prevention for your pet.
What is heartworm disease?
Heartworm disease is caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis. It can affect dogs and cats. The AHS’s guidelines cover prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and are revised periodically as evidence and clinical experience develop. Its current guideline index is available at the AHS guideline page.
How screening differs for dogs and cats
Dogs: annual antigen and microfilaria tests
AHS recommends that dogs be tested annually for heartworm antigen and microfilariae. The antigen test looks for evidence associated with adult female heartworms; microfilaria testing checks for the parasite’s offspring in the blood. A veterinarian can advise which tests are appropriate and explain the results. The AHS’s May 2025 overview describes the testing recommendations: A guide to heartworm testing. Its 2024 canine guideline update addresses prevention, diagnosis, and treatment: AHS updates heartworm guidelines for dogs.
Cats: routine screening and more than one test type
Cats are susceptible to heartworm disease, and the AHS recommends routine feline screening that includes both antigen and antibody tests. The 2024 feline guideline update discusses approaches that may include heat-treated serum antigen testing in some circumstances. A single negative result does not definitively rule out infection in a cat, so a veterinarian should interpret results alongside the cat’s health and history. See the AHS’s feline guideline update and testing guidance announcement.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- This 4-in-1 analyzer empowers you to: Track related signals with lab-validated accuracy.
- Related Signal Analysis: Track physiological markers linked to exposure.
- Rapid Insights in 10 Minutes: Get clear, actionable data to support proactive care decisions.
- Associated Trend Monitoring: Identify patterns related to common environmental health risks.
- Simple 3-Step Process: Collect a small blood/serum, or plasma sample, apply it with the pre-measured buffer solution
Symptoms and when to contact a veterinarian
Signs that may concern an owner should prompt veterinary advice rather than an attempt to diagnose heartworm at home. A positive test or symptoms warrant an evaluation and a plan tailored to the individual animal. Testing is not a treatment plan, and treatment decisions should be made by a veterinarian.
Prevention: discuss an appropriate plan with your veterinarian
For dogs
The AHS recommends year-round preventive medication for dogs. Ask your veterinarian which product and schedule fit your dog, and follow their advice about screening and prevention. Products differ in species labeling, form, and coverage; do not assume that medications are interchangeable or choose a dose without veterinary guidance.
Rank #2
- 1100+ ITEM PET INTOLERANCE AT-HOME FUR SAMPLE INSIGHT KIT - Explore personalized pet intolerance insights to over 1100 foods, ingredients, nutritional items, environmental items, and pet care products. Designed to help pet owners better understand and organize ingredient-related information.
- FOODS AND INGREDIENTS, NUTRITIONAL ITEMS, ENVIRONMENTAL ITEMS & PET CARE PRODUCTS - Comprehensive reporting includes foods, ingredients, environmental factors, nutritional components, additives, and common pet care items, providing a broad overview in one easy-to-use system.
- RESULTS READY WITHIN 2 BUSINESS DAYS OF RECEIVING YOUR SAMPLE - Our test kit delivers accurate, easy-to-read, color-coded results, helping you understand how your pet’s diet and lifestyle may be affecting their quality of life by identifying potential intolerances and sensitivities. Move from uncertainty to informed decisions quickly once you receive your pet's results.
- VETERINARIAN-APPROVED WITHOUT A VISIT - Our painless, non-invasive, and affordable at-home testing solutions are backed by veterinary professionals. With no vet visits, waiting rooms, needles, or additional costs, you can easily perform our intolerance test on your dog or cat from the comfort of your home.
- ALL-IN-ONE DIGITAL RESULTS DASHBOARD - Access your personalized digital report and available Ingredient Checker in one convenient online dashboard. With the add-on option of our Ingredient Checker, you can search for ingredients, compare pet food formulas, and make more informed decisions every day with confidence.
For cats
Ask a veterinarian about an appropriate preventive for your cat. The AHS recommends routine feline screening, but the cited summaries do not establish a universal screening interval for cats. Your veterinarian can advise on testing and prevention for your cat’s circumstances.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why current veterinary guidance matters
The AHS describes its guidelines as living documents, revised periodically in light of symposium information, new research, and clinical experience. Its current guideline index is the best place to check for the latest professional recommendations: American Heartworm Society guidelines. The AHS also maintains a resource center.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [10-PARAMETER FULL-PANEL PET URINE TEST] Leukocytes, Nitrite, Urobilinogen, Protein, pH, Blood, Specific Gravity, Ketone, Bilirubin, Glucose
- [TRUSTED BY VETS] Manage your pet’s disease or perform a routine check-up for kidney & liver disease, urinary tract infection (UTI), dehydration, diabetes, metabolic disorders and more
- [URINE COLLECTION] Not sure how to collect your pet’s urine? Search on Amazon for “dog urine collector” or “non-absorbent cat litter”
- [60 TESTS - $0.15 EACH] No need to overpay for the exact same test at the vet, test your pet in the comfort of your home for a fraction of the cost
- [INSTANT RESULTS] Simple, user-friendly instructions with color chart & visual results in 60 seconds
Rank #4
- 1x Elite Test Kit - Tests 1000+ Items
- 1x Introductory Test Kit - Tests 350+ Items
Rank #3
- TESTS 955+ ITEMS FOUND IN COMMERCIAL PET FOOD & TREATS. This at-home test for dogs and cats uncovers potential intolerances to ingredients commonly found in dry kibble, and wet/canned food, plus freeze-dried and air-dried formulas.
- DON’T IGNORE THESE SYMPTOMS. Food intolerances can cause pets to have gas, hot spots, excessive fur loss, bad breath, ear infections, or watery eyes because their gut microbiome and digestive enzymes aren’t capable of processing every type of food.
- HOW IT WORKS. Collect 10–15 strands of your pet’s fur, mail them to our certified lab, and receive easy-to-read results in 4 days via email or through our mobile app. Using your results, you can make targeted dietary changes instead of guessing through trial-and-error.
- 4 SEVERITY LEVELS TO GUIDE YOU. Your report categorizes each ingredient as Insignificant, Mild, Moderate, or Severe responses, so you know which foods to remove or reduce from your pet’s diet. This helps improve your pet’s gut health, which then helps reduce or eliminate their symptoms.
- 3RD PARTY VALIDATED & VET-RECOGNIZED. Our intolerance and sensitivity tests use double-pass validation for accuracy, and we’re trusted by holistic veterinarians worldwide. We’ve helped over 345,000 pets and people find answers for their unexplained symptoms from the comfort of their home.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
