A Century of Pet Nutrition
From a single pioneering kennel in 1926 to a century of science‑driven breakthroughs, discover how Purina’s relentless imagination and innovation have defined the past, present, and future of pet nutrition
April 01, 2026 •
4
min read
This content is brought to you by Purina Pro Plan as part of a Sponsored Content program. Ducks Unlimited editorial staff played no role in the creation of this content.
Courtesy of Purina
The year was 1926 and something special was happening near Gray Summit, Missouri.
Donald Danforth, who joined Purina in the early 1920s, embraced science and technology and began convincing his father, William H. Danforth, the company needed to build a facility to scientifically prove the quality and efficacy of its products in canine nutrition. His father agreed, and the Purina Dog Care Center was established.
Courtesy of Purina
The concept was simple:
- Use quality ingredients to create a nutritionally complete and balanced food for dogs.
- Maintain a detailed record of feeding history for every dog to understand the impacts of quality nutrition on overall health.
- Provide excellent care and a comfortable environment.
The Purina Dog Care Kennel, now known as Purina FarmsTM, was the first of many Purina PetCare firsts. It was pioneering work that established Mr. Danforth’s legacy.
“We’re proud that today Purina associates embrace the same core values as our founder,” says Nina Leigh Krueger, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company President and Chief Executive Officer.
A century after the first feeding studies at Gray Summit, Purina continues to focus on science-based solutions at its state-of-the-art Pet Care Centers.
Sheri Smithey, PhD, Senior Vice President of Global PetCare Research & Development at Nestlé Purina PetCare, leads a team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of pet nutrition and care.
“Each project we create begins with one simple word: Imagine,” Smithey says. “We bring science to life.”
Smithey’s team spends countless hours working to understand how pets feel, think and move.
“I’m fortunate to lead an incredible team guided by science and dedicated to creating the future our pets deserve,” Smithey says. “We know there are many discoveries yet to be made, so we’ll keep dreaming and working to make those dreams a reality.”
Here are some of the many Purina “firsts” over the last 100 years:
1933 – Admiral Richard Byrd selects Dog Chow for Antarctic expedition
When preparing for his famous trip to the Antarctic and South Pole regions, Admiral Richard E. Byrd selected Purina Dog Chow Checkers to fuel his 150 Siberian Huskies. Upon his return in 1935, Byrd said Dog Chow was the finest ration he had ever used.
1956 – Purina revolutionizes pet food industry with extrusion technology
Purina Dog Chow becomes the first pet food made using pressure-processed extrusion technology. The new “puffed” product creates an expanded dry kibble with superior nutrition, digestibility and palatability.
1986 – Purina® Pro Plan® launches
Purina develops an innovative process that makes it possible to use real meat as the number one ingredient in kibble and introduces Purina Pro Plan. Backed by nutritionists, veterinarians and scientists, Pro Plan becomes the choice of sporting dog and show champions.
1987 –Purina begins its landmark 14-year life span study in dogs
Purina researchers monitor the health of 48 Labrador Retrievers throughout their lives during which half the dogs are fed 25 percent less than their full-fed littermates. The peer-reviewed results showed that lean-fed dogs lived better, for longer. As a result, Purina adjusted its feeding guidelines, a shift that was later adopted by the broader pet food industry.
1998 –Purina Veterinary Diets introduces first hydrolyzed protein diet
Through use of hydrolyzed protein, new Purina® Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed® Hypoallergenic Canine Formula brings relief to dogs with food allergies.
1999 – Purina establishes the world’s first and only Canine Reference Family DNA Distribution Center
2004 –Purina is the first to apply molecular-level nutrition to a therapeutic diet
Purina® Veterinary Diets JM Joint Mobility® Canine Formula is introduced to nutritionally manage dogs with joint conditions.
2007 – Purina offers the first probiotic nutritional supplement
Purina® Veterinary Diets FortiFlora® is introduced to promote a healthy immune system and assist in management of pets with diarrhea.
2010 – Purina launches Pro Plan Adult 7+ Bright Mind® for senior dogs
Purina research on nutrition and aging led to the launch of Pro Plan Adult 7+ Bright Mind, made with brain supporting nutrients for cognitive health in senior dogs.
2010 – Purina Event Center grand opening
In 2010, Purina unveils the 84,000-square-foot Purina Event Center near Gray Summit, Missouri – the first full-service indoor facility designed to accommodate the largest dog and cat shows and performance events.
Coincidentally, the Purina Event Center is located on the same footprint as the 1926 Purina Dog Care Center – the Danforths’ vision and wisdom coming full circle.
Purina firsts and innovations continue – from Tidy Cats® Lightweight litter in 2013 to Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements Calming Care in 2019 to LiveClear® in 2020 – the first-of-its-kind food that reduces the major allergen in cat hair and dander.
“The vision and values of our founder have been instrumental in our relentless pursuit of innovation in pet nutrition and care over the past 100 years,” Krueger says. “We also know Mr. Danforth was never satisfied with what had been achieved.” Instead, he posed the question: “What Next?”
This content is brought to you by Purina Pro Plan as part of a Sponsored Content program. Ducks Unlimited editorial staff played no role in the creation of this content.
