Led By Science
Since The Very
Beginning
Photo provided courtesy of The Seeing Eye®
The year was 1939 when a young blind man named Morris Frank was traveling the country with his dog, Buddy. Buddy was suffering from kidney failure, and Mr. Frank asked Dr. Mark Morris Sr. for help.
Dr. Morris believed he could find a nutritional solution to Buddy’s issues, so he developed a new pet food with his wife, Louise Morris, in their kitchen.
Follow the timeline to see how Hill’s has evolved since to create differences you can see, feel and trust.
1948
Hill’s Pet Nutrition officially goes into business
Dr. Morris contracted with Burton Hill of the Hill Packing Company in Topeka, Kansas, to can the food with a new name, Canine k/d, and licensed Hill to produce his pet food formulas.
Prescription Diet k/d becomes the world’s first veterinarian-prepared food for the management of a canine disease.
1953
Dr. Morris’ work pioneering therapeutic pet nutrition leads to a new breakthrough in urinary pet foods
1968
Hill’s Science Diet is created
Focusing on a preventative approach to pet health, Mark Morris Jr. launches Hill’s first wellness food brand for pets.
1976
Colgate-Palmolive Co. purchases Hill’s Pet Nutrition
1983
A Legacy Continues
Dr. Mark Morris Jr. carries on his father’s work in pet nutrition and co-authors the Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Textbook. The book continues to be used in veterinary colleges to this day as definitive text for companion animal care.
Dr. Morris Jr. is still considered the father of small animal wellness nutrition.
1992
A focus on urgent care
To help veterinarians when every moment counts, Hill’s creates the world’s first thixotropic food for assisted feeding of pets.
1996
Hill’s publishes scientific discoveries on unique nutrition for large breed pups
2000
Hill’s begins fortifying pet food with antioxidant combinations to support immune function in pets
2002
Hill’s starts an ongoing mission to help shelter pets
The Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program is launched across North America, which to date has helped over 14 million pets find a new home.
2003
HILL’S CREATES SENSORY CENTER DEDICATED TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF PET FOOD TASTE
2004
Hill’s develops its first pet nutrigenomics research lab
Becoming a leader in innovations that use nutrients to change how genes are expressed in pets over time.
2005
Pet nutrigenomics gives way to one of the leading pet foods for mobility
2008
Hill’s donates cat genome research
Hill’s takes a big step forward in providing the best nutrition possible for cats.
2012
Hill’s breaks new ground in overactive thyroid management for pets
2013
Offering support when pets need it most
The Hill’s Disaster Relief Network is established as a way to provide nutritional support for pets after disasters hit their communities. Hill’s partners with shelters, veterinary clinics, governmental organizations and other non-profits caring for pets in the aftermath of disasters.
2013
New therapeutic foods for weight management
Hill’s creates new innovations to help pets struggling with weight issues.
2017
New options for older pets
Using work pioneered through the pet genome, Hill’s develops several new nutritional options for aging pets.
Hill’s Science Diet Youthful Vitality
(now Hill’s Science Diet Senior Vitality)
2018
HILL’S HELPS 102,000 PETS FIND NEW HOMES
Hill’s proudly partners with NBCUniversal Local for Clear The Shelters, one of the largest pet adoption campaigns of the year, and continues to sponsor the event for years to come.
2018
HILL’S ADVANCES RESEARCH INTO THE PET MICROBIOME
New breakthroughs are made regarding the network of microorganisms that affect a pet’s digestion, immune health, organ function and more.
2021
Hill’s pilots the first-ever fully recycle-ready dry food packaging in Europe
Hill’s is one of the first major pet food manufacturers to switch to completely recycle-ready dry food packaging, part of the larger 2025 environmental strategy from our parent company, Colgate-Palmolive.
2021
Hill’s helps make itching ancient history
New advancements in allergic care allow Hill’s to create nutrition for both food and environmental allergies.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Derm Complete
Today
Changing lives through food
With a team of vets, nutritionists and food scientists, we develop nutrition driven by pets’ needs.
Committed to innovation
Our forward-thinking approach is driven by science-led nutrition, sustainability & love.
Giving the best again and again
We are currently working on making Hill’s packaging 100% recyclable. Check to see if your pet’s food packaging qualifies here.
