This footage was filmed and produced 7 March 2024.

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A recent study conducted by the University of Cambridge’s Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience has revealed a startling discovery - around a quarter of Labrador retriever dogs have a genetic mutation that leaves them feeling hungry all the time while burning fewer calories than other dogs.

This double-whammy of insatiable hunger and reduced energy use is driven by a mutation in a gene called POMC, which plays a crucial role in hunger and energy regulation.

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, found that Labradors with the POMC mutation tend to overeat because they get hungry between meals more quickly than dogs without the mutation. Additionally, these dogs were found to use about 25% less energy at rest than their counterparts without the mutation.

Dr Eleanor Raffan, the lead researcher of the study, stated, “All owners of Labradors and flatcoated retrievers need to watch what they’re feeding these highly food-motivated dogs, to keep them a healthy weight. But dogs with this genetic mutation face a double whammy: they not only want to eat more, but also need fewer calories because they’re not burning them off as fast.”

The POMC mutation alters a pathway in the dogs’ brains associated with body weight regulation, triggering a starvation signal that causes the dogs to increase food intake and conserve energy unnecessarily.

The researchers suggest that owners can help keep their Labradors distracted from the constant hunger by spreading out their daily food rations or using puzzle feeders.

This mutation in the POMC gene is similar in dogs and humans, with human studies showing that individuals with POMC mutations tend to become obese at an early age. The study's findings could potentially lead to new treatments for obesity and other conditions in both dogs and humans.

As the world becomes more aware of the obesity epidemic in both humans and animals, this study sheds light on the genetic factors that contribute to obesity in our beloved pets. Pet owners must be diligent in managing what they feed their Labradors to ensure they remain healthy and at a proper weight.