Hill’s opens its $30 million nutrition innovation center
The new center will focus on the needs of small dogs to capitalize on the growing population of small and miniature dogs.
The ‘Small Paws’ Innovation Center will be a place to study their nutrition as well as behaviors, genetics, genomics, and microbiomics to support development of food to meet the special needs of small and miniature breeds, which represent more than half of pet dogs in the U.S. and around the world.
The Engagement Center will host seminars, continuing education programs and other activities for thousands of veterinary students and professionals each year.
“Hill’s is excited to announce the opening of an expansion of our global Pet Nutrition Center to focus on the special needs of small dogs and also to enhance our involvement with those who care for pets through the new innovation center,” said Hill’s President Jesper Nordengaard. “We are always investing in technology and development to serve the nutritional needs of pets as well as learning from veterinarians, customers and caregivers through their experiences. This is how we fulfill our mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets and live our goal of transforming lives.”
The new Small Paws center will include state-of-the art facilities and be home to 80 small dogs under 20 lbs who will have the benefit of specially formulated nutrition developed to their unique needs. The center will be devoted to exceptional veterinary care and offer a variety of indoor and outdoor enrichment activities that the dogs can choose during the day, including outdoor Bark Parks play yards.
“All around the world, there’s a steady increase in the popularity of small dogs. Our investment in this specialized facility will help us develop food with the taste and aesthetics that small dogs prefer and that works best with their distinctive behaviors and unique physiology,” said Dave Baloga, Vice President, Science & Technology for Hill’s. “The Small Paws Innovation Center will allow us to better understand their needs and discover new ways to help them lead happy, healthy lives.”