New research finds around a quarter of Labrador retriever dogs face a double-whammy of feeling hungry all the time and burning fewer calories due to a genetic mutation.
This obesity-driving combination means that dog owners must be particularly strict with feeding and exercising their Labradors to keep them slim.
The mutation is in a gene called POMC, which plays a critical role in hunger and energy use.
Around 25% of Labradors and 66% of flatcoated retriever dogs have the POMC mutation, which researchers previously showed causes increased interest in food and risk of obesity.
This obesity-driving combination means that dog owners must be particularly strict with feeding and exercising their Labradors to keep them slim.
The mutation is in a gene called POMC, which plays a critical role in hunger and energy use.
Around 25% of Labradors and 66% of flatcoated retriever dogs have the POMC mutation, which researchers previously showed causes increased interest in food and risk of obesity.
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