Why are Labradors so hungry all the time

Tubby Labradors May Be at the Mercy of Their Genes, Not Just Too Many Treats

Tubby Labradors May Be at the Mercy of Their Genes, Not Just Too Many Treats

One in four Labrador retrievers carries a gene that tricks their brain into thinking theyre starving

By Meghan Bartels

If your Labrador retriever seems hungry all the time, it may be because they are.

These dogs are notorious among veterinarians for their tendency to pack on the pounds. And in previous research, scientists found that one quarter of Labradorsas well as two thirds of a less common breed of dogs called flat-coated retrieverscarry a genetic mutation that is associated with obesity in other animals. And in new experiments, researchers found that dogs with this mutation both feel hungrier between meals and burn less energy than their counterparts do.

What we see in the dogs is that theyre getting this molecular starvation signal, says Eleanor Raffan, a veterinarian and geneticist at the University of Cambridge and a co-author of the new paper, which was published on March 6 in Science Advances. As a result, they try to eat more and dial down their energy expenditure.

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In the new study, Raffan and her colleagues wanted to understand how the mutation, which affects a gene called pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), impacts the lives of dogs who carry it. So they recruited dozens of U.K.-based dog owners who were willing to take part in a series of experiments .

The first experiment, nicknamed the sausage in a box test, brought Labs into the lab about three hours after the dogs had eaten breakfast. Researchers showed each dog a sausage, then closed it in a plastic box with holes so the dog could smell but not eat the treat. Then they watched how the dogs interacted with the box and for how long. The researchers found that dogs with the POMC mutation were more focused on the sausage box, spending about twice as much time interacting with or manipulating it.

The researchers also had dog owners conduct an experiment at home. In this exercise, breakfast became an all-Fido-can-eat buffet in which dogs got a new can of food every 20 minutes until they stopped eating, vomited or reached the experiments maximum limit of 6.5 pounds of food. On average, all the dogs, whether they had normal POMC genes or not, ate about four pounds of foodan enormous amount, Raffan says. (Dogs with the POMC mutation ate somewhat more, though, and dogs without it were more likely to end the experiment by vomiting.) The result suggest that the mutation doesnt make a difference in how quickly dogs feel full. The increased focus on food by the POMC-mutation group, however, suggests these dogs would continue to seek out more food if it wasnt in front of them by, for example, begging or stealing.

The researchers also looked at the opposite side of the equation: how dogs burn energy. For this experiment, they recruited 19 flat-coated retrievers. (These dogs carry the POMC mutation more frequently than Labradors, and researchers wanted to compare dogs that didnt have the mutation at all with dogs that had it in both copies of the gene because they expected the results would be more subtle.) The dog owners coaxed their pets into falling asleep in a chamber that measured the metabolic gases they produced, which allowed the researchers to calculate how much energy they burned while at rest. The scientists determined that dogs with the POMC mutation used less energy than their counterparts.

Taken together, the experiments show the complex way in which the mutation affects a dogs brain and body, Raffan says: It makes them want food more without actually making them like a particular food more or need more food to feel full. Simultaneously, it makes them burn food more slowly. They get a kind of double whammy of both eating more and burning off fewer calories, meaning that theyre predisposed to obesity from both directions, Raffan says.

The mutation is the legacy of a now extinct breed called St. Johns water dogs, the ancestor of both Labradors and flat-coated retrievers. These dogs accompanied fishers and happily fetched fish out of the frigid waters of maritime Canada in the 16th and 17th centuries. You can imagine that, in that context, willingness to eat anything that came your way and have a little bit of a layer of blubber under your skin to keep you warm in the sea might have actually been quite a good idea and a bit of an advantage for those dogs, Raffan says.

But for modern pets, the mutation is more harmful because obesity can cause or exacerbate health issues ranging from breathing problems to skin disease to incontinence, Raffan says. In one survey, 11 percent of Labradors were obese, compared with 7 percent of non-Labradors. In another, 5 percent of Labradors were obese, and 36 percent were overweight.

Dogs with the mutation can stay at a healthy weight, but they need their owners help to do so. In particular, Raffan says that spreading out meals through the day, resisting the puppy eyes begging for human food and giving the dogs lots of exercise are key, as is giving them something to think about besides their innate hunger. We hate being hungry. You dont like it; I dont like it; the dogs probably dont like it either, she says. So keeping them distracted and occupied seems to be helpful.

Why Labradors Eat So Much?

Labrador retrievers are lovely pets and every dog lover would want to own one. They exhibit the type of behavior you expect from your pet. Their eyes are particularly very appealing and anyone will fall for their look. The one problem with the Labradors, however, is that they tend to eat a lot. It seems that some Labradors are never satisfied and always want more food, even when they have just finished eating the food in their bowl they are still hungry. This can be quite baffling for owners of Labradors, but there is an explanation for this greedy behavior.

Reasons Why Dogs Overeat

An experiment was conducted to find outwhy Labradors eat so much. This study was done at the University of Cambridge and they took 310 Labradors for their experiment. It was a detailed study and it involved the owners of the dogs as well, to know how they would feed their dogs. Questions were asked to know whether the dogs would look for food between their regular meal times. The results were very interesting and explained why the Labradors are always hungry

Genetic Reasons

It emerged from the study that the Labradors with this unending appetite had a particular gene in common. This gene is responsible for regulating the appetite of dogs. In normal circumstances, whether in humans or dogs, a message goes to the brain that the stomach is full and the individual or the animal stops eating further. However, in Labradors with this POMC gene, such a message is not sent to the brain. This leaves the dog with that feeling of not having had its full meal and keeps searching for more. In addition, Labradors that have this defective gene have a greater propensity to suffer from obesity.

The Medical Reason for the Condition

Delving a little deeper into this scientific study to find the reasonswhy Labradors eat so much, there is more information that can be shared. The researchers chose obese and lean Labradors for their experiment. There were 15 of the former and 18 of the latter. The objective was to study if there are any differences in their genes.

The medical term used is DNA deletion and it was noticed that the obese Labradors did exhibit mutation at the POMC gene. This mutation leads to the absence of neuropeptides required to regulate the consumption of food. These neuropeptides, identified as -MSH and -endorphin are responsible for weight control and sending the appropriate signals to the brain.

The study was then expanded to include 310 Labradors. They concluded that at least a quarter of the Labradors in their experiment conformed to the theory of gene mutation and excess eating. This was corroborated by the owners of the dogs. This defective gene is the main reason why so many Labradors are so hungry all the time, however, there are other reasons why your Labrador is hungry all the time, read on to find out what they are.

DNA Testing For Dogs

DNA testing can help you discover your dogs ancestry, find out about your dogs breed composition, and even find your dogs canine relative. Testing your pets DNA can also be very useful for keeping your furry friend healthy by detecting genetic risks for potential health problems. DNA Tests can also find hereditary conditions that can affect your dogs health in the future. This information can help your Veterinarian to provide adequate preemptive healthcare.

Medical conditions that make dogs hungry all the time

Intestinal parasites

Many Labradors can have intestinal parasites, which are small worms that lodge in the intestines of the dog and steal nutrients from the food the dog eats. Which makes the dog look for more food to feel satisfied. The worms should be treated on time. There are multiple types of worms like tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms. These intestinal parasites can be easily treated with medicines prescribed by your veterinarian, dogs can ingest the eggs of these parasites when they pick up something from the ground with their mouth, so if you suspect that your dog may have parasites, take him to the veterinarian quickly.

Nutritional deficiency

When dogs do not get the nutrients they need from the food that their owners give them, they will look for more food elsewhere to satisfy their needs. This can be caused by the dogs owner not giving him the amounts for his size, the food being of poor quality, or the dog suffering from a digestive problem that does not allow him to absorb all the nutrients. Give your dog quality food and consult with your veterinarian to rule out any medical problems and make sure you give your dog the proper portions.

Stress and emotional issues

There has never been any doubt that dogs have emotions. They exhibit it in subtle ways and experienced dog lovers fully understand them. Like humans, when dogs are stressed or bored, they tend to overeat. this is not good for the dog. So make sure that your dog has enough mental and physical stimulation so that he does not suffer from these problems

How to Prevent Your Labrador from Overeating?

Now that we know what are the reasons why Labradors eat so much, it is time to know what we can do to remedy it and prevent our dogs from overeating

Feed Them High-quality Food

One of the best ways to prevent our Labradors from being always hungry is to give them good quality food that nourishes them and makes them feel full. Food rich in nutrients and with enough fiber will make the dog feel satisfied and stop asking for food all the time. Make sure to feed him good quality dry food that meets your Labradors nutritional needs. Another option is to give your dog homemade food made with vegetables and meat. If you do not have time to prepare food for your dog, some companies prepare fresh food for dogs according to the specific needs of your pup and deliver it to your home. Check out the link below to find the best food for your Lab.

Click Here To Find The Best Food For Labrador Retrievers

Use Puzzle and Slow Feeders

Labradors are quite curious and intelligent by nature, and they are also very food-driven. For this reason, using a slow feeder or food puzzle is a good way to keep them entertained and busy for a good time and stop them from overeating. If you do not want your Labrador to be asking for food while you are having lunch, you can give him a food puzzle with treats inside so you can have a peaceful lunch without a dog begging for food beside you. Slow feeders make your dog unable to devour his food quickly, this helps to avoid the risk of suffering from bloat from eating too fast, and also when dogs eat slowly they feel fuller with their portion of food so it prevents them from overeating.

Click Here To Find The Best Puzzle Toys And Slow Feeders For Labs

Stop Your Lab from Begging at the Table

Discipline is very important to control the tendency of Labradors to overeat. You should not allow your Labrador to ask for food at the table, for this, no one in the family must give food to the dog at the table while they are sitting at the table if any member of the family feeds the Labrador while they are dining this behavior will never be corrected. You can also use the slow feeders that we mentioned before, to feed the dog while you are dining at the table.

Talk to Your Vet

You can bring up this issue of your Labradors craving for food at your next visit to the vet. The vet will be able to determine why your Lab is always hungry and may come up with some ideas to curb the habit.

Consequences of Overfeeding a Labrador

Out of excessive affection for their pets, many pet parents overfeed their Labrador. There is a natural tendency for this breed to eat more than needed and become obese and overweight. This can give rise to many diseases.

Obesity

An obese Labrador wont be very active and cant play as a thinner dog would do. This will further complicate its health, including joint problems like arthritis, heart problems and high blood pressure, kidney and liver disease, diabetes, and even cancer.

Bloating

Bloating is related to gastric issues in Labrador Retrievers due to overeating. You have to feed it in a way that it feels happy to eat but does not keep looking for more food.

Diabetes

Just like humans, dogs too can contract diabetes. The causes are also similar obesity, lack of exercise, and so on.

Other Health Issues

Besides these issues, there can be other health complications for Labradors due to overeating. These include arthritis, respiratory problems, and even skin-related issues. Now any or all of these can also result in the Labradors life span being cut short. There are cases of dogs developing heart problems too.

Click Here To Read More About Common Labrador Health Issues

Tips for Labrador Owners

It is essential for pet owners, especially those raising a Labrador, to be completely responsible for their pets. Some pet owners may not know there are so many issues involved in having a pet at home. Mere affection for the pet is not sufficient. When it comes to feeding the Labrador, you have to involve everyone in the household and probably even in the neighborhood to see there is no overfeeding.

Making the dog play games to keep it active is another important task for Labrador owners. Keeping the dog interested in the game or puzzle and ensuring it gets enough physical exercise is crucial to the objective of keeping your dog healthy. The Labradors weight has to be kept under control for its health.

Related post: Are labradors good apartment dogs?

Click Here To Find The Best Pet Insurance for Labrador Retrievers

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