Is a Dog & Cat Allergy Test worth it?
What it costs, whether to test at home or at Quest or Labcorp, and how to read your results.
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD — updated July 2026
The short answer
Worth it when you keep reacting around dogs or cats — congestion, itchy eyes, wheezing — and want to know for certain before rehoming a pet, choosing one, or committing to allergy treatment. One blood draw measures your IgE response to both dog and cat dander, and you don't have to stop antihistamines to take it. Note the direction: this tests YOU, not your pet.
Who should order it (and who can wait)
Worth it if you...
- •Sneezing, congestion, itchy or watery eyes, or asthma flares that track with being around dogs or cats
- •Deciding whether to get (or foster) a pet when you suspect you might be allergic
- •Confirming the pet is actually the trigger before major decisions - symptoms often turn out to be dust mites or pollen the pet carries in
- •Anyone who can't pause antihistamines for a skin-prick test - blood IgE isn't affected by allergy medication
You can probably wait if you...
- •You want to test what your DOG or CAT is allergic to - that's veterinary testing through your vet, not a human lab test
- •You've had severe or anaphylactic reactions - skip straight to an allergist, who can test comprehensively and plan treatment safely
- •You have no symptoms and no upcoming pet decision - sensitization without symptoms isn't clinically meaningful, so screening 'just to know' rarely changes anything
We would rather you order the right test than the most expensive one.
At-home vs Quest vs Labcorp
The most common question we get. The short version: the lab and the result are the same - you are choosing where the blood is drawn.
Walk into a lab
Get drawn at any Quest or Labcorp location - thousands nationwide, often same-day. Best for speed and lowest cost.
At-home draw
Not recommended for this test - it needs a lab-based collection to be accurate.
Same result
Whichever you pick, it is run on the same CLIA-certified analyzers with the same reference ranges.
This is a standard venous blood draw at a Quest or Labcorp location - walk in, no appointment needed. No fasting, and no need to stop antihistamines beforehand (the main practical advantage over skin-prick testing). $89.99 self-pay covers both dog and cat dander IgE; comparable allergist visits with skin testing typically run $150-$300+ without insurance.
How to read your results
The markers that matter most and what an out-of-range value can mean. Reference ranges vary by lab, age, and sex.
| Marker | Typical range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Dog dander IgE / Cat dander IgE | Class 0 (undetectable) = no sensitization | Each allergen is reported as an IgE level with a class grade. Class 0 with symptoms points away from pet allergy (consider dust mites, mold, pollen). Rising classes indicate increasing sensitization - combined with symptoms around animals, that confirms the allergy and gives an allergist objective data if you pursue immunotherapy. |
Frequently asked questions
Ready to order your Dog & Cat Allergy Test?
$89.99, physician-authorized, results in 3–5 business days. No insurance or doctor's visit required.
About this guide
Reviewed July 28, 2026. This is general health information, not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reference ranges vary by laboratory, age, sex, and clinical context - always interpret results with a qualified healthcare provider. Lab analysis is performed at CLIA-certified Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp facilities.