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Activate the kit to your dog’s profile before collecting or mailing it. Then keep the swab in its collection tube as a handle, gently rub the inside of your dog’s cheek pouch and under the tongue for 30–60 seconds, return the swab to the tube without spilling the liquid, tighten the cap, and invert and shake the tube for 10 seconds. Use the kit’s designated return packaging: U.S. and international customers have different mailing instructions.
Before you collect the sample
Activate the kit for the right dog
Create or sign in to your Embark account, create the dog’s profile, and activate the kit or swab before you collect and return the sample. Embark says it will not process an unactivated sample until activation is complete, so check that the kit is linked to the correct dog before mailing it. This is the first important part of the process: the tube is not ready to send simply because you have collected saliva. The activation connects the swab with the dog profile, and an unactivated sample can be held until you complete that step.
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It is sensible to do the account, profile, and activation steps before swabbing, rather than leaving them until after the sample is packed. That gives you a chance to confirm the dog profile and kit activation before the physical sample is on its way. Follow Embark’s current account and activation instructions for your kit: U.S. return instructions.
Wait 30 minutes after food
Do not let your dog eat for 30 minutes before swabbing. If you need to encourage saliva, Embark suggests showing your dog a treat without letting them eat it. This gives you a way to prompt interest while observing the no-food interval. Plan the timing before opening the kit: if your dog has just eaten, wait until the full 30-minute interval has passed instead of collecting immediately.
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- BREED IDENTIFICATION: Embark screens for over 400 dog breeds. Using a research-grade genotyping platform developed in partnership with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Embark offers the most accurate breed breakdown on the market
- RELATIVE FINDER: Find and connect with your pup's family through the world’s first canine relative finder. Over 90% of dogs tested by Embark have a close relative, like a cousin, and 12% discover a direct family member.
- ANCESTRY: Our genetic analysis can reveal most dogs' breed mix going back to their great-grandparents. With the information embedded in your dog's DNA, we can identify the routes that distant ancestors took around the world before they came home to you
- BEHAVIOR INSIGHTS + TRAINING PLAN (IN-APP UPGRADE): Barking at the door or struggling when left alone? Upgrade in the Embark app to unlock 15 genetic behavior scores that show what your dog may be wired for, plus a personalized training plan built around those instincts
- Simple At-Home Swab With 2-Way Shipping: Swab your dog's cheek, register online, and mail it back with the prepaid label in the box. Results generally land in 2-4 weeks. Veterinarian developed, with results you can send straight to your vet from the app
Embark’s instruction is specifically about food before collection. The guidance cited here does not specify additional restrictions or a different waiting period, so follow the kit’s own directions rather than adding assumptions. Embark’s collection instructions provide the feeding and swabbing guidance.
How to collect the cheek-swab sample
- Open the kit and leave the swab in its tube. Remove the collection tube, but do not pull the swab out of it yet. Use the tube as a handle while collecting the sample. The supplied swab and tube are a paired part of the collection process, so keep them together and use the kit’s own components.
- Swab the cheek and under the tongue. Gently rub the swab against the inside of the cheek pouch and under the tongue for 30–60 seconds. Embark recommends aiming for a full 60 seconds: it identifies low DNA concentration as its most common reason for an inconclusive test. The instruction is to rub gently, not to use a different sample method. Embark’s published guidance describes the cause qualitatively; it does not give a percentage or a guaranteed pass rate.
- Put the swab back into the tube. Unscrew the cap and turn the swab upside down into the tube. Take care not to spill the liquid. Embark says that liquid stabilizes the DNA until the sample is processed. Keep it in the tube during this transfer; the liquid is not an optional extra to discard.
- Close and mix the sample. Screw the cap on as tightly as possible. Confirm it is secure, then invert the tube and shake it for 10 seconds. The sequence matters: return the swab, close the tube, check the cap, then invert and shake. The liquid should remain in the tube.
Embark’s official wording is to “gently rub the inside of your dog’s cheek pouch and under their tongue” for 30–60 seconds. Although the stated range starts at 30 seconds, the company recommends a full 60 seconds because low DNA concentration is its most common reason for an inconclusive test. That is the practical reason not to rush this part. It does not mean that a full minute guarantees a result; Embark does not publish a guaranteed pass rate in the cited instructions.
These are Embark’s instructions for its supplied cheek-swab kit; do not substitute a generic swab or use the instructions for a different sample type. The full procedure is on Embark Support’s swabbing page.
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It is a cheek swab, not a blood draw
The DNA test uses a cheek swab rather than a blood sample. You do not need to arrange a blood draw for this test based on Embark’s instructions. The company says it accepts only Embark-specific cheek swabs, so a generic cotton swab or another brand’s sample is not a substitute. The kit’s supplied swab and collection tube are part of the sample process.
If you have not obtained a kit yet, the relevant product is the Embark Dog DNA Test kit, not a generic DNA kit or standalone cotton swab. Embark’s product page describes the supplied collection and return workflow. The instructions here apply to that Embark DNA cheek-swab sample; they should not be confused with a different test’s collection procedure. See Embark’s explanation of its sample requirement and the Embark Dog DNA Test Kit page.
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- SCREENS 270+ GENETIC HEALTH RISKS: Find out early if your dog has a genetic risk for conditions like MDR1 (a sensitivity to common medications), degenerative myelopathy (a spinal cord disease), dilated cardiomyopathy (a heart muscle disease), or progressive retinal atrophy (a vision-loss condition). 3 in 4 tested dogs discover a health risk — know their risks early so you and your vet can plan.
- MOST ACCURATE DOG DNA TEST AVAILABLE: Identifies 400+ breeds, types, and varieties, including village dogs, so mixed-breed and rescue dogs get a real answer. Stringent quality control ensures over 99% genotyping accuracy. Embark is a research partner of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and the most often recommended dog DNA test.
- THE ONLY DOG DNA TEST WITH PERSONALIZED ALLERGY RISK SCORES: Get your dog's genetic risk across four allergy types: environmental, food, contact, and flea. It doesn't test for an active allergy, but it shows whether your dog is genetically predisposed, based on genetic data from more than 3 million dogs. Among dogs with a high allergy risk, up to 30% of dogs have more than one allergy type.
- KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM 55 PHYSICAL TRAITS: See your dog's predicted adult size, coat type, shedding level, and grooming needs before they surprise you. Helpful for puppy and rescue owners deciding on food, grooming, crate size, and living space.
- BEHAVIOR INSIGHTS + TRAINING PLAN (IN-APP UPGRADE): Barking at the door or struggling when left alone? Upgrade in the Embark app to unlock 15 genetic behavior scores that show what your dog may be wired for, plus a personalized training plan built around those instincts
How to mail the sample from the United States
- Use the kit’s prepaid USPS return mailer. The current U.S.-specific Embark instructions say to place the sample in the provided return packaging with its USPS label. The included prepaid label is the appropriate route for U.S. customers; do not apply that U.S. mailing instruction to an international return.
- Hand it to a USPS location. Embark recommends taking the mailer to a USPS location so it can be scanned promptly, rather than relying on an unscanned drop-off. This is the company’s mailing recommendation, not a promise about delivery timing.
- Keep the DNA sample separate from other test types. If you also have an Embark Microbiome Health sample, do not put it in the DNA sample’s bag. Embark says the samples go to different labs and each should be returned in its designated envelope.
Embark estimates 5–10 business days for a U.S. sample to arrive at the lab, depending on destination. This estimate is for transit to the lab, not the full time to receive results. The clock described in the mailing estimate is not the same as the lab-processing period, which starts when the swab is scanned at the lab.
Use the included return mailer whenever it applies. Embark’s current U.S.-specific article provides the lab address for a situation where another shipping method is needed: Illumina (ILS), Embark Lab Sample Processing Center, Building 2 Dock 2, 5200 Illumina Way, San Diego, CA 92122-4616. Do not assume that you should independently address every return to this location when the kit includes a prepaid label. Verify Embark’s current directions before using another method or addressing a parcel yourself. The current U.S. instructions are at Embark’s U.S. mailing page.
How to mail the sample from outside the United States
The U.S. prepaid USPS label is not for international returns. Embark says international customers must pay their own return postage and any applicable customs or duties. Its general instructions list DHL, UPS, FedEx, or a local post office as possible return options. Follow the directions supplied for your country and specific kit; do not assume that the U.S. label, postage arrangement, or address details apply where you live.
Embark’s general return instructions, updated November 26, 2025, say to prepay customs or duties where applicable to reduce the chance the sample is returned to sender. International customers should account for both shipping and any customs charges when planning the return. The cited guidance does not give a single international postage price: the cost depends on the shipment, and the customer pays the return postage and applicable charges.
The published estimate for an international sample to arrive at the lab is 15–20 business days. This is a delivery estimate, not a results date. International transit takes a different amount of time from U.S. transit, and the lab processing period is separate again. Embark advises customers to follow the directions supplied for their specific country and kit. Read Embark’s general return instructions before mailing.
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- The Most Accurate Breed Detection: Screen for 430+ breeds— to get a breed report down to 1%. Because knowing every detail helps you understand how to care for them
- Unlock 30 Essential Health Insights: Screen for genetic health tests (including MDR1 and IVDD) to get ahead of health risks and create a personalized care plan with your vet
- Meet Their Relatives: 99.9% of dogs tested have a relative match through Wisdom Panel. With the world’s largest breed database and 5 million dogs tested, you can see photos, compare DNA results, and send messages
- Learn About Their Traits and Behaviors: Know them better inside and out. Wisdom Panel screens for 51 traits so you can learn how their one of a kind appearance came to be. Plus, understand their individual quirks with insights into 3 unique behavioral tendencies
- 5m+ Pets Tested In 60+ Countries: Wisdom Panel is the world’s leading dog DNA service thanks to its quick, painless swabbing process, fast and accurate results, and reliable insights you can use for years to come
Keep each sample in its own designated return envelope. DNA and Microbiome Health samples are processed at different labs, so Embark instructs customers not to combine them in one bag. This applies whether the return is domestic or international: use the packaging designated for each sample rather than grouping different test types together.
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Shipping time and lab processing time are separate. Embark says most genotyping results take 2–4 weeks from the time the swab is scanned at the lab. Its current swabbing guide says Age Test results can take up to eight weeks. These are product-specific timelines with different start points and should not be added together or treated as a guaranteed end-to-end delivery date.
For example, the U.S. transit estimate of 5–10 business days describes how long a sample may take to arrive at the lab. The 2–4 week genotyping estimate begins when the swab is scanned there. International arrival is estimated at 15–20 business days, after which the applicable processing timeline remains separate. Age Test results have their own stated timeline of up to eight weeks. These numbers describe distinct stages; they do not establish one guaranteed calendar date for every customer.
Check the instructions for the test you purchased: Embark’s swabbing guide and return guidance.
Embark’s product page states that a collected sample remains stable for six months and that tests expire two years after purchase. These are Embark’s published product claims, not independent laboratory guidance or a reason to delay mailing. Sample stability and kit expiration are different statements: the first concerns the collected sample, while the second concerns the purchased test. Check the kit’s own information and return the sample promptly. Embark Dog DNA Test Kit.
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- Estimates Your Dog's Age And Birthday From DNA: Uses DNA methylation, a biological clock in your dog's genes, to give you an estimated age and birthday. 77% of dogs have a true birthday within 12 months of their estimated birthday
- Built For Rescue And Unknown-History Dogs: If you adopted a dog with no papers and no known birthday, this is made for you. Best for dogs past the puppy stage, when age is hardest to judge by looks alone
- Includes Life-Stage Appropriate Care Information: Your results come with life stage information developed by veterinarians. A dog's social, behavioral, and health needs change with age, and knowing their estimated life stage helps you keep up
- Simple At-Home Cheek Swab With 2-Way Shipping: Swab your dog's cheek, register online, and mail it back with the prepaid label in the box. No vet visit or blood draw needed. Results arrive 4-5 weeks after the lab receives your sample
- From Embark, The Most Recommended Dog DNA Test: This test estimates age only. For breed and ancestry see Embark Breed ID, for breed plus over 270 genetic health risks see Breed & Health
Common problems to avoid
- The kit was not activated: Complete activation and link the swab to the correct dog profile. Embark says an unactivated sample will not be processed until activation is complete. Activate before mailing, preferably before swabbing, so this step does not become a preventable hold-up.
- The swab was too brief: Rub gently for 30–60 seconds, aiming for the full 60 seconds Embark recommends. The company identifies low DNA concentration as its most common reason for an inconclusive test. This is a qualitative explanation, not a percentage of failed samples.
- The tube liquid spilled: The liquid stabilizes the DNA. Avoid spilling it when returning the swab, and make sure the cap is tightly closed before mixing. Do not pour out the liquid or treat it as disposable.
- The tube was not mixed: Once capped, invert and shake it for 10 seconds as directed. Do this only after checking that the cap is secure.
- The dog ate immediately before swabbing: Observe the 30-minute no-food interval before collecting. Embark suggests showing a treat without allowing the dog to eat it if you want to encourage saliva.
- The wrong return packaging was used: Use the supplied U.S. return mailer if you are mailing from the U.S.; international customers need to arrange and pay for their own return postage and applicable duties. Check country- and kit-specific directions.
- Different sample types were packed together: Return DNA and Microbiome Health samples in their separate designated envelopes because they are processed at different labs.
- A generic swab or blood sample was substituted: Embark’s DNA test requires its own cheek-swab sample; neither a generic cotton swab nor a blood sample is the instructed sample.
- The shipping estimate was mistaken for the results timeline: Arrival estimates are transit times. Genotyping processing is measured from the lab scan, and the Age Test has a separate stated timeline.
If you are unsure which label or envelope came with your kit, or your return shipment does not match your country’s instructions, consult Embark’s current return guidance before sending it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I swab a dog to collect a DNA sample?
Use the swab supplied with the Embark kit and leave it in its collection tube as a handle. After the dog has gone 30 minutes without food, gently rub the inside of the cheek pouch and under the tongue for 30–60 seconds; Embark recommends aiming for 60 seconds. Return the swab to the tube without spilling the liquid, tighten the cap, then invert and shake for 10 seconds.
Does an Embark DNA test require a blood sample?
No. Embark’s DNA test uses its Embark-specific cheek swab, not a blood sample. The company says it accepts only its own cheek swabs, so a generic cotton swab or another brand’s sample is not a substitute.
How should I mail my dog’s returning sample?
First activate the kit to the correct dog profile. U.S. customers should use the included prepaid USPS return mailer; Embark recommends handing it to a USPS location for prompt scanning. International customers cannot use the U.S. prepaid label and must pay return postage and applicable customs or duties, following the directions for their country and kit.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →How long does it take for the sample to reach Embark?
Embark estimates 5–10 business days for U.S. samples and 15–20 business days for international samples to arrive at the lab. These are shipping estimates, not the time to receive results.
Best Value
- The Most Accurate Breed Detection: Screen for 430+ breeds to get a breed report down to 1%. Because knowing every detail helps you understand how to care for them
- Test For Medication Sensitivities: With an MDR1 test, you’ll know if your dog may have a negative reaction to commonly used medications
- Meet Their Relatives: 99.9% of dogs tested have a relative match through Wisdom Panel. With the world’s largest breed database and 5 million dogs tested, you can see photos, compare DNA results, and send messages
- Understand Their Ancestry and Behavior: Trace their family tree back three generations to learn how their unique breed mix came to be. Plus, understand their individual quirks with 3 insights into behavioral tendencies
- 5m+ Pets Tested In 50+ Countries: Wisdom Panel is the world’s leading dog DNA service thanks to its quick, painless swabbing process, fast and accurate results, and reliable insights you can use for years to come
How long do Embark results take after the sample arrives?
Embark says most genotyping results take 2–4 weeks from the time the swab is scanned at the lab. Its swabbing guide says Age Test results can take up to eight weeks. These product-specific processing timelines are separate from shipping time and are not guaranteed end-to-end dates.
Can I put an Embark DNA sample and Microbiome Health sample in one return bag?
No. Embark says the samples are processed at different labs and instructs customers to return each sample in its designated envelope.
How long can I keep a collected Embark sample before mailing it?
Embark’s product page says samples remain stable for six months. That is the company’s published product statement, not a reason to wait; follow the kit’s instructions and return the sample promptly. Embark separately states that tests expire two years after purchase.
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For a reliable return, activate the Embark kit to the correct dog profile, wait 30 minutes after food, and use the supplied cheek swab for up to 60 seconds. Keep the stabilizing liquid in the tube, close and shake it as directed, then use the return route for your location. U.S. customers use the prepaid USPS mailer; international customers arrange and pay for shipping and applicable customs or duties. Keep DNA and Microbiome samples in separate designated packaging.
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