Researchers studying 310 Labradors found that many of them were missing all or part of a gene known as POMC, which is known to regulate appetite in some species and to help sense how much fat the body has stored. Without it, the dogs don't know when they've had enough, so they just keep eating and eating. 5 июл. 2016 г.
Do Labradors overeat?
Labrador retrievers are well known for their love affair with food, but scientists believe their overeating behaviour might actually be the result of a genetic fault instead of just the generosity of their owners.
Are labs always hungry?
A new study found Labrador retrievers are more likely than other breeds to beg for treats and generally be obsessed with food. That's because they have a specific gene mutation that sets them apart from the rest. It's the first of its kind that has been directly associated with canine obesity.
Do labs ever stop eating?
For pet owners, a dog refusing to eat may indicate illness. Luckily, there are plenty of reasons your Lab is not eating. Furthermore, some reasons are so simple that you may have overlooked them. Your Labrador retriever would stop eating due to illness, bad habits, or stressors.
Why are Labradors so food obsessed?
They found the Labradors were predisposed to have a deletion in the genetic code of the POMC gene which scrambles the end of the gene and hinders its ability to produce the neuropeptides associated with turning off hunger. Dr Raffan said this led to increased food motivation and weight seen in affected dogs.
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