Introductory pricing: gut + oral together for $249

Know what's really going on inside your dog or cat.

The BAARK Complete Microbiome Profile. Gut and oral samples from a single at-home kit, both processed in our Melbourne lab. We sequence the gut to find out what is there, reading the organisms present rather than testing against a fixed checklist, and we add targeted qPCR for the parasites sequencing alone can miss. We quantify the mouth to find out how much, with a 11-target oral panel that returns an absolute quantity rather than a share of a read pool. Introductory pricing $249, results in 5 to 7 business days.

Join the wait list See a sample report

✓ 5–7 day turnaround ✓ Free return postage ✓ Melbourne lab

Shotgun metagenomic NGS sequencing Untargeted, not a fixed checklist Species level, strain level where coverage allows 7 parasite targets screened by qPCR Raw sequencing data available to every customer Australian Privacy Act compliant Melbourne laboratory Shotgun metagenomic NGS sequencing Untargeted, not a fixed checklist Species level, strain level where coverage allows 7 parasite targets screened by qPCR Raw sequencing data available to every customer Australian Privacy Act compliant Melbourne laboratory

How it works

Three steps to real answers.

Order a test kit, collect a sample at home, and receive your health report in a secure portal, built from your pet's sequencing data. No vet visit required.

Step 01

Order online

Order the BAARK Complete Microbiome Profile at $249. We post the kit and prepaid return packaging to your address.

Step 02

Collect at home

One faecal sample and one oral swab, both collected at home with the materials provided. Pop both in the prepaid mailer and send them back to our Melbourne lab.

Step 03

Read the report

Within 5 to 7 business days, your BAARK Biome Health Engine report lands in your secure portal, built from your pet's sequencing data, with diet and supplement recommendations.

Our method

One sample, read as a whole community.

BAARK runs shotgun metagenomic next-generation sequencing on Oxford Nanopore R10.4.1, an untargeted method. Every bacterial, fungal and parasitic DNA sequence in your pet's sample is read, classified against the GTDB r214 reference database, and reported at species or strain level where the read quality supports it.

Because the method is untargeted, BAARK is not limited to a list of organisms chosen in advance. The report shows what was actually present in the sample rather than the subset someone decided to look for. For a dog with chronic soft stools whose sample contains an unusual or low-prevalence organism, that difference is the whole point.

Targeted methods answer the question they were built to answer. Ours answers the question you actually have, which is what is in there.

How we count

Why we don't quote a biomarker number.

Pet health services increasingly advertise a count: 80 biomarkers, 100 biomarkers. Those numbers are made of very different things, so here is what ours is made of.

A COUNTED PANEL

A fixed list, decided in advance

Most panels count each line item on a blood chemistry, haematology or urinalysis result as one biomarker. A standard veterinary blood and urine workup produces dozens of those, and they are available from any clinic in Australia. They are useful. They are also not microbiome testing, and the count tells you how many boxes were on the form, not how much was found.

THE BAARK METHOD

No list. We read what is there.

Shotgun metagenomic sequencing reads every DNA fragment in the sample. Bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses are identified from the same run, whether or not anyone thought to look for them. A typical pet's report contains several hundred identified species. That number is different for every animal, which is exactly why we won't print a fixed one on a poster.

AND THEN WE CHECK IT

Targeted qPCR where it earns its place

Sequencing has a blind spot: organisms present at very low abundance can fall below the read threshold. So we run a targeted qPCR panel alongside it for seven parasite and worm targets. Published comparisons of the two methods in dogs found taxa detectable by qPCR that sequencing missed, and the reverse. Running both is the reason, not the redundancy.

The honest version. A larger number is not automatically a better test. What matters is whether the method can find something nobody predicted, whether the result is quantified well enough to act on, and whether you can see the underlying data. BAARK publishes its sequencing platform, reference database version, bioinformatics pipeline and parasite target list, and gives every customer access to their pet's full species table and raw reads on request. Compare on that.

How we compare

Comparable Australian at-home tests.

Two other at-home pet microbiome tests sold in Australia, described using each provider’s own published wording and checked on 8 September 2026. Providers are not named. Where a specification is not published, we say so rather than assume it is absent. For the questions behind these rows, see how to compare pet microbiome tests in Australia.

Comparison of BAARK with two other Australian at-home pet microbiome tests
Feature	BAARK	Competitor IGut and oral tests	Competitor BGut microbiome kit
Price (AUD)	$249 launch, gut and oral together	$350 dog gut test. $299 oral test, dogs and cats. Dog gut and oral bought together, $649. No cat gut test offered.	$300 stool kit, dogs and cats. $300 saliva kit. $500 stool and saliva together. Free shipping within Australia. The provider describes its saliva and combined kits as genetic profiling rather than microbiome testing.
Microbiome profiling method	Shotgun metagenomic NGS* on Oxford Nanopore R10.4.1, reported to species or strain level	Shotgun metagenomic sequencing for the gut test, compared against healthy reference ranges. Oral test described as DNA sequencing, which returns relative abundance rather than an absolute quantity.	Short-read 16S rRNA gene sequencing on an Illumina platform, compared against the provider's own reference dataset. Returns relative abundance rather than an absolute quantity.
Bacterial pathogen detection	Targeted qPCR panel alongside the sequencing result	PCR screen included with every test. 6 named bacterial targets.	Relative abundance of 10 named harmful bacterial species, including Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter jejuni and Clostridioides difficile.
Fungal organisms	Read from the untargeted sequencing run, so not limited to a named list	Yes. Defined panel of 16 named targets, mostly Candida species, plus Geotrichum, Rhodotorula and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.	Not offered. The provider states the method sequences the 16S rRNA gene, which is a bacterial gene.
Parasites and worms	Targeted qPCR panel, 7 organism targets, plus anything read from the untargeted sequencing	Yes. Defined panels of 8 named parasite targets and 8 named worm targets, including Giardia intestinalis, hookworm, roundworm and whipworm.	Not offered. The provider states the method sequences the 16S rRNA gene, which is a bacterial gene.
Viral targets	Viral DNA read from the untargeted sequencing run	Yes. Defined panel of 5 named targets, including rotavirus A and norovirus GI/II.	Not stated publicly
Samples covered	Gut and oral from one kit, collected at home, one return	Gut from a stool sample and oral from a cheek swab, sold as separate tests with separate kits. Prepaid return, no vet visit needed.	Gut only, from an at-home stool sample. The saliva kit is a separate purchase and is described by the provider as genetic profiling.
Stated turnaround	5 to 7 business days	Gut test typically 2 to 3 weeks. Oral test typically 3 weeks. Published to an online dashboard.	2 to 3 weeks. Published to an app and an online portal.
Veterinary input on results	Vet-ready PDF. Review by a referral vet on request.	Vet-written interpretations and recommendations included in every report. Optional 15 minute vet teleconsult for $110.	Free 15 minute phone consultation offered. Report carries dietary supplement and probiotic recommendations, which the provider also sells.
Lab location	Melbourne, Australia	Not stated publicly	Not stated publicly. Company registered in Macquarie Park, NSW.

About this comparison. Competitor details were checked on 8 September 2026 against each provider’s own public product pages, including their published target lists, pricing and method statements. Competitors are de-identified and listed in no particular order. Two providers previously listed here have been removed because they no longer publish pricing, and we do not publish figures we cannot currently verify. Products are not identical: prices, sample types and inclusions differ, so the rows describe each service on its own terms rather than scoring one against another. Where a provider does not publish a specification, the cell reads "Not stated publicly" and should not be read as an absence of that feature. All prices in AUD and current at the date of checking; providers may change pricing and inclusions at any time. BAARK is not affiliated with any provider listed. BAARK introductory pricing is introductory and may change. If you are a listed provider and believe any entry is inaccurate or out of date, contact hello@baark.com.au and we will review and correct it promptly.

Scroll the table sideways on smaller screens. For the questions behind these rows, see how to compare pet microbiome tests in Australia.

What you get

Four layers of insight from one sample.

BAARK reads bacteria, fungi and parasites from a single faecal sample using shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and combines the result with our BAARK Biome Health Engine to deliver one integrated report.

View what we test

Gut microbiome (shotgun NGS)

Untargeted whole-genome sequencing on Oxford Nanopore · species level, strain level where coverage allows

→

Fungal profiling

Malassezia, Candida, Aspergillus and other clinically relevant fungi, captured by shotgun NGS alongside bacterial reads

→

Parasite panel (qPCR)

Seven targets: Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Toxocara, Ancylostoma, Trichuris, Cystoisospora, Dipylidium

→

Biome Health Engine report

Dysbiosis scoring, organism-of-interest flags, and personalised diet and supplement guidance to discuss with your vet, built from your pet's sequencing data

→

Every test, in detail

Eight tools. One integrated platform.

Beyond the four core layers, every BAARK customer gets longitudinal tracking, the quantified oral panel, an Australian lab guarantee, and free access to PetTrials.

Shotgun Metagenomic NGS

Untargeted whole-genome sequencing on Oxford Nanopore. Captures bacteria, fungi and parasites in a single run at species level, and strain level where coverage supports it, with species and strain-level resolution.

Fungal Detection

Shotgun sequencing captures fungal DNA alongside bacterial reads. Clinically relevant species (Malassezia, Candida, Aspergillus and others) are flagged when present.

Parasite Panel (qPCR)

Targeted qPCR adds sensitivity for low-abundance parasites alongside shotgun NGS detection. 7 targets: Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Toxocara, Ancylostoma, Trichuris, Cystoisospora, Dipylidium.

BAARK Biome Health Engine

Automated bioinformatics classifies the reads against GTDB r214 and drives the BAARK Biome Health Engine, which produces dysbiosis scores, organism-of-interest flags, and recommendations to discuss with your vet, all built from your pet's sequencing data.

Oral Microbiome

A 11-target quantitative PCR panel on an oral swab, plus a universal bacterial normaliser, covering both health-associated and disease-associated species. Returns an absolute quantity per target and a periodontal risk score.

Longitudinal Tracking

Retest over time to track diet changes, antibiotic recovery, or ageing. Build a personalised health trajectory.

PetTrials Access

Every customer gets free access to PetTrials, Australia's clinical trial matching platform for active veterinary research.

Australian Lab

All samples processed in our Melbourne laboratory. Your pet's data stays in Australia under the Privacy Act 1988.

Is BAARK right for your pet?

Designed for pets living with these signs.

If any of the patterns below match your pet, a microbiome profile can give you and your vet a precise starting point for intervention.

Digestive issues

Chronic soft stools, vomiting, gas, or suspected food sensitivities. BAARK profiles microbial communities and screens for parasites from a single sample, giving your vet more to work with.

Skin and coat problems

Itchy skin, recurrent ear infections, poor coat quality, or hot spots. Fungal and bacterial imbalances in the gut may be associated with inflammatory skin conditions in dogs and cats.

Post-antibiotic recovery

Pets that have completed antibiotic courses, steroid treatments, or long-term medications. Measure microbiome disruption and inform restoration discussions with your vet.

Introductory pricing

One test, one price, both samples.

BAARK Complete Microbiome Profile launches at $249. One kit ships to your door with everything needed to collect both a faecal and an oral sample from your dog or cat. One return to the lab. One combined report: the gut sequenced, the mouth quantified. $249 is an introductory price and will change.

LAUNCH PRICING

BAARK Complete Microbiome Profile

$249

Gut sequenced, mouth quantified. One kit, one return, one combined report

Shotgun metagenomic NGS*
Gut + oral samples, one kit
Bacterial profile, species level
Fungal screen included
Parasite, worm and viral screen
Periodontal risk scoring
Combined gut–oral report
5–7 business day turnaround
Free postage, both directions
Melbourne lab

Join the wait list

Your pet's report

Actionable insight, not just data.

Every BAARK report translates complex sequencing data into clear, actionable health guidance, in a vet-ready format you can take to your veterinarian, and tailored to your pet's unique microbiome profile.

Track changes over time with our longitudinal retesting. Retest after dietary interventions, antibiotic courses, or probiotic supplementation to see measurable shifts in your pet's microbiome composition.

View example dog report View example cat report

Real sample data · provisional reference ranges

Gut Health Score62 / 100

Diversity Index (Shannon)3.42

Bacterial Taxa Identified527

Parasites DetectedGiardia duodenalis

Fungi FlaggedMalassezia pachydermatis

Recommended actionConsult vet · 3 supplements suggested

Real sample data. Percentile positions are provisional pending cohort recruitment.

Veterinarian and clinician testimonials will appear here as we expand our referral partner network.

Become a BAARK referral vet For Australian veterinary practitioners · hello@baark.com.au

For veterinary practitioners

Offer in-clinic microbiome testing. No lab investment.

Any veterinary clinic can become a BAARK referral partner. Collect samples in-clinic, send them to our Melbourne lab, and receive species-level reports co-branded with your practice. $50 referral fee per test.

Become a referral partner

No setup

We provide kits, return postage, and co-branded report templates.

$50 per test

Patients pay $299 total ($249 to BAARK + $50 to you) for the BAARK Complete Microbiome Profile.

Species-level reports

Shotgun metagenomic NGS of the faecal sample and a quantified oral panel, delivered to your portal and your patient's.

5–7 day turnaround

Patients don't wait weeks for answers.

Built by scientists

Australian science. Australian data. Australian lab.

BAARK is run by The BAARK Company, part of Altered Carbon Synthetic Biology Pty Ltd^*, a Melbourne-based synthetic biology company with established capabilities in long-read shotgun next-generation sequencing and microbiome bioinformatics. The work is led by Dr Matthew Latif, Chief Scientific Officer of Altered Carbon, who has more than 25 years of biomedical research and R&D commercialisation experience.

Every sample will be processed in our Melbourne laboratory. We will not outsource and we will not offshore. Your pet's data stays in Australia under the Privacy Act 1988.

Oxford Nanopore

Long-read shotgun metagenomic sequencing on MinION and PromethION platforms.

QuantStudio 1 qPCR

Targeted qPCR for low-abundance parasite sensitivity. 7 organism targets in the panel.

Metagenomic classification pipeline

Long-read taxonomic classification against GTDB r214, with diversity analysis in QIIME 2.

BAARK Biome Health Engine

Automated health interpretation, dysbiosis scoring, and personalised recommendations.

FAQ

Common questions.

Everything you need to know about ordering, sampling, and getting results.

What's included in the BAARK Complete Microbiome Profile?+

Combined gut and oral microbiome profiling from a single kit. The faecal sample is profiled by shotgun metagenomic next-generation sequencing on Oxford Nanopore R10.4.1, capturing bacterial and fungal DNA in the read pool, alongside a 7-target parasite qPCR panel. The oral swab is measured by a 11-target quantitative PCR panel with a universal bacterial normaliser, which returns absolute quantities rather than relative abundances. A BAARK Biome Health Engine report is produced with dietary and supplement recommendations. Available for both dogs and cats. Introductory pricing $249.

What is shotgun metagenomic NGS?+

Shotgun metagenomic next-generation sequencing reads every DNA fragment in a sample, rather than targeting a small set of pre-chosen markers. The "shotgun" part means the DNA is broken into millions of short pieces and all of them are sequenced. The "metagenomic" part means we sequence every organism in the sample at once, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, not just one. The result is species-level and strain-level identification across the whole microbial community. This is the same methodology behind peer-reviewed microbiome studies published in the last decade.

How is BAARK different from other Australian pet microbiome tests?+

BAARK pairs two methods rather than running one across both samples. The gut is profiled by untargeted shotgun metagenomic sequencing, which reads bacterial and fungal DNA in the sample and reports at species level where read quality supports it. The mouth is measured by a targeted quantitative PCR panel, which returns an absolute quantity per target rather than a relative abundance, so the figure does not move simply because another organism did. BAARK ships one kit that collects both samples in a single workflow, and delivers results in 5 to 7 business days. The introductory price for the combined profile is $249.

Do I need to visit a vet?+

No. Our mail-out kit includes everything needed to collect both samples from your dog or cat at home. If you prefer, you can have your vet collect the samples: $249 to BAARK plus the vet's own consultation fee, paid directly to them.

How long until I get results?+

5–7 business days from when we receive your sample at our Melbourne lab.

Is this a diagnostic test?+

BAARK is a wellness screening service, not a diagnostic test. Our reports profile your pet's microbiome and screen for selected parasites; they are not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat any disease. Findings should be reviewed with your veterinarian, who can interpret them in the context of your pet's clinical history and decide whether further investigation or treatment is warranted.

What happens to my pet's data?+

Your data is stored securely in Australia under the Australian Privacy Act 1988. It is used to generate your health report and, in de-identified form, to improve our AI models. It is never shared with third parties without your explicit consent.

Can I retest my pet over time?+

Absolutely. We encourage it. Retesting after dietary changes, antibiotic courses, or supplement interventions allows you to track measurable shifts in your pet's microbiome composition over time.

I'm a vet. How do I become a referral partner?+

Email us at hello@baark.com.au to register as a referral partner. You'll earn $50 per test with no lab setup required. We provide all collection kits and return packaging.

Can I access the raw sequencing data and full species table for my pet?+

Yes. BAARK customers can request a data export covering the full species-level abundance table (every bacterial and fungal taxon detected, not just the species shown in the summary report), a QC and methods package with pipeline and reference database versions, and on specific request the underlying FASTQ sequencing reads for their own pet's sample. One free export per sample is included with the BAARK Complete Microbiome Profile. See the Raw Data Access Policy for full detail, or email hello@baark.com.au with your order reference.

Ready to read your pet's gut?

Join the wait list to hold your place for the first run and the $249 introductory price. No payment taken today.

Join the wait list View example report