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According to new research, approximately 25% of Labradors have a genetic mutation that causes them to continuously feel hungry and burn fewer calories, creating a “double whammy” effect.
According to researchers, this mixture leads to weight problems and requires dog owners to be diligent in managing their dogs’ diet and physical activity in order to maintain a healthy weight.
The mutation is in a gene called POMC, which plays a key role in hunger and energy use.
Owners of Labrador Retrievers and flat-coated Retrievers should monitor the diets of their dogs, who are very food-driven, in order to maintain a healthy weight.
The research revealed that approximately 25% of Labradors and 66% of flat-coated retriever dogs possess the mutation. This has been shown to result in a heightened desire for food and a greater risk for obesity by previous studies.
The latest research discovered that the mutation alters the dogs’ behavior when it comes to food.
According to the researchers, individuals do not require additional food to feel satiated, but they tend to experience increased hunger in the time between meals.
Furthermore, canines with the genetic variation were observed to expend approximately 25% less physical energy during periods of rest compared to those without the mutation.
The discovery suggests that fewer calories are required to maintain a healthy weight.
According to Dr. Eleanor Raffan, a scientist at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience who spearheaded the research, a genetic mutation in the POMC gene may increase a dog’s appetite.
Dogs with the mutation have a tendency to over-consume food due to their faster rate of hunger between meals compared to dogs without the mutation.
She advised, “It is essential for owners of Labradors and flat-coated retrievers to monitor their dogs’ food intake, as they are very food-driven breeds, in order to maintain a healthy weight.”
“Dogs carrying this specific genetic variation experience a dual disadvantage as they not only have a higher appetite, but also require less calories due to a slower metabolism.”
According to a study in Science Advances, a genetic mutation was found to impact a pathway in dogs’ brains related to controlling body weight.
The mutation causes a signal of hunger that prompts the body to consume more food and save energy, even if it is not needed.
According to Dr. Raffan, individuals frequently make disparaging remarks about overweight dog owners, holding them responsible for neglecting their pets’ nutrition and physical activity.
“We have demonstrated that Labradors carrying this genetic variation have an increased drive for food, constantly seeking to consume more energy. While it is challenging, it is possible to maintain a slim physique in these dogs.”
The study recommends that owners can prevent their retrievers from constantly feeling hungry by dividing their daily food portion over several meals.
One way to achieve this is by using puzzle feeders or distributing the food throughout the garden to increase the time it takes to consume it.
Eighty-seven adult Labrador dogs, who were either a healthy weight or slightly overweight, participated in various tests, including the sausage in a box test.
Initially, the participants were provided with a serving of dog food every 20 minutes until they decided to stop eating.
All of the animals consumed a large amount of nourishment, however the canines with the genetic mutation did not consume more than those without it.
This indicated that each person feels satiated after consuming a comparable quantity of food.
The dogs were given the regular amount of breakfast on a separate day, after which they were presented with a sausage in a transparent container three hours later. Their actions were observed and noted.
The canines were able to detect and scent the sausage, but were unable to consume it.
The study showed that dogs with the mutation displayed a greater drive to obtain the sausage from the box compared to dogs without it, suggesting a stronger level of hunger.
The dogs were then rested in a unique chamber that monitored the composition of their exhaled gases.
It was discovered that the animals with the gene mutation consume approximately 25% less energy compared to dogs without the mutation.
Scientists state that the latest discoveries align with previous reports of severe hunger in individuals with POMC mutations, causing them to experience early onset obesity and a range of accompanying medical issues.
The Dogs Trust and Wellcome provided funding for the research.
Source: independent.co.uk
