In June 2021, Colgate opened its Small Paws Innovation Center in Topeka, Kansas — one more step in our journey to reimagine a healthier future for all people, their pets, and our planet.
The newest expansion of Hill’s Pet Nutrition Global Headquarters, Small Paws is the only innovation center in the U.S. that is designed to focus on the special needs of small dogs and also to enhance our involvement with those who care for pets.
The $30 million, 25,000-square-foot facility is dedicated to studying nutrition, behaviors, genetics, genomics, and microbiomics in order to support the development of food for small and miniature breeds, which represent more than half of pet dogs in the U.S. and around the world.
“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,” Jesper Nordengaard, former Hill’s President and current President of Colgate-Palmolive North America, said. “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 Small Paws Innovation Center shares access to state-of-the-art facilities with pet health professionals, showcasing Hill’s industry-leading work in four specific areas: predictive biology and the microbiome; product development and taste; quantified health and pet wearables; and personalized health and DNA Genomics.