About Purina

Small black dog sitting at a work desk

A Company of Pet Lovers

Nourishing Pets. Enriching Lives.

For over 90 years, we've been guided by the belief that pets and people are better together.

The reason we're so invested in the quality of our food is because we love pets as much as you do.  You'll find pets in our homes, and even sitting by our feet as we work in our offices.

Our passion for pets goes beyond pushing pet nutrition forward, and into forging partnerships in the pet welfare world and raising awareness of what pets truly need.  After all, we've seen firsthand how powerful the bond with a pet can be, and the many unique ways that pets can strengthen our families and bring our communities closer.

Because we want dedicated and passionate employees on our team, we make sure that Purina is a great place to work.  You can tell from the moment you walk in the door that our world revolves around pets, whether you're seeing the art on the walls or the many cats and dogs that employees bring to work every day.

Our quest to drive pet nutrition forward and conduct industry-leading research on the wellbeing of pets pushes our company to do more year after year.  We work hard for your pets every day, and we love doing it.

Purina Through The Years

William H. Danforth

William H. Danforth, partnering with George Robinson and William Andrews, enters the business of feeding farm animals by founding the Robinson-Danforth Commission Company. The names is changed to Ralston Purina in 1902.

Row of Puppies

Purina establishes the first pet nutrition and care center at Purina Farms near Gray Summit, Missouri, to confirm the palatability and nutrition of its pet foods. It has since evolved into the Nestle Purina Pet Care Center in Northwest Missouri.

Antarctic Expedition

On a recommendation from Massachusetts General Hospital, the dogs on Admiral Richard E. Byrd's Antarctic expedition eat Purina Dog Chow Checkers, and thrive in the harsh conditions.

Purina Dog Chow Kibble

Purina Dog Chow becomes the first pet food that is made using a technology called extrusion to form distinctive shapes that are known as "kibble" today.

Introducing Purina Cat Chow

Purina introduces Purina Cat Chow to help feed a growing population of American housecats.

Introducing Purina Puppy Chow

Purina is the first to acknowledge that puppies need additional protein and nutrients in their food.  The world is introduced to Purina Puppy Chow.

Introducing Purina Pro Plan

Purina develops an innovative process that makes it possible to use real meat as the #1 ingredient in kibble, and launches Purina Pro Plan, the first brand of pet food to do so.

Purina Mills Logo

Ralston sells the Purina Mills animal feed business so that Purina can focus on dog and cat food.

Grey and black dog sitting in the grass

Purina launches its groundbreaking 14-year study, which proves that feeding dogs to their ideal body condition throughout their lifetime can help extend their healthy years.

Pets for Seniors

Purina's decades-long support for pet welfare organizations takes on the name Pets for People.  Pets for People has since grown to become a network of nearly 6,000 pet welfare organizations across the country.  The program later created Pets for Seniors, which partners with 150+ shelters nationwide to provide senior citizens with reduced costs for pet adoptions.

Hypoallergenic Canine Formula

Purina Veterinary Diets introduces HA-Hypoallergenic Canine Formula. Through use of a protein isolate, this first-ever hypoallergenic diet brings relief to dogs with food allergies.

A dog and its owner

Purina establishes the world's first and only Canine Reference Family DNA Distribution Center, providing assistance to top researchers mapping the canine genome.

DM Feline Formula

Veterinarians can now manage diabetic cats through a first-of-its-kind diet using high protein and low carbohydrates:  Purina Veterinary Diets DM-Dietetic Management Feline Formula.

Nestle – Good Food, Good Life

December 12th, 2001:  Nestle acquires Ralston Purina, helping to expand the availability of Purina products to pets and pet owners all over the world.

Joint Mobility Formula

Purina is the first to apply molecular-level nutrition to a therapeutic diet by developing a food for dogs suffering from arthtritis:  Purina Veterinary Diets JM-Joint Mobility Canine Formula.

FortiFlora formulas

Purina Veterinary Diets offers the first probiotic nutritional supplement that is also highly palatable and convenient to use.  Veterinary clinics nationwide embrace Fortiflora Nutritional Supplement.

$10,000,000

Purina exceeds $10,000,000 in annual investments across the company in pet welfare and pet communities.

Tidy Cats LightWeight litter

Purina developed the revolutionary Tidy Cats Lightweight, which is half the weight of typical clumping cat litter.