Inside the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Center — or “PNC” for short — over 900 dogs and cats help Hill’s test a variety of pet food formulations to ensure other pets enjoy them as well. Here’s what a typical day at work is like for these dedicated members of the Hill’s team.
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Hill’s enlists the help of six different dog breeds at the PNC including golden retrievers, toy poodles and a few mixed-breed dogs. The majority of the canine staff, however, are beagles. These little hounds tend to keep a friendly, intelligent demeanor… and they love to eat.
The cat department is predominantly American shorthairs, but other breeds, such as the occasional Siamese, enter the roster from time to time. Every pet in the PNC is given his or her own unique profile and microchip.
EATING
Of course, the first to-do for the dogs and cats at the PNC involves filling their bellies with a variety of brands, forms and flavors — from Hill’s and other foods. Many of our pet partners are enrolled in taste preference evaluations, where they are offered a variety of pet food choices. Every bowl is precisely weighed, every preference is measured.
PLAYTIME
The healthier and happier these little guys are, the better they can “get to work.” For the PNC cats, this means LOTS of toys, tunnels and scratching posts in their feline jungle gym, as well as one-on-one time with human staff. The PNC dogs are let loose in their outdoor bark park where they run, jump and climb together each day.
Both the dog and cat buildings are each approximately 40,000 square feet, making a combined space larger than 17 NBA basketball courts.
All this playtime can get dirty once in a while, so dogs are bathed regularly. As for the cats, they’re groomed regularly to ensure their fur stays soft and nails neatly trimmed. The housing areas allow each pet to choose how they spend the day, whether it’s being outdoors, napping in the sunshine, or just resting in their den.
SAY “AH”
For the healthcare of the pets, Hill’s provides the best veterinary care in an AAHA-accredited hospital, with a staff of three full-time clinical veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians who provide excellent healthcare for their pet partners. Pets get a complete physical exam each year, including a urinalysis, complete blood count, dental work and more.
HAPPY TAILS
Hill’s cares for these pets well into their golden years which helps us evaluate foods for every age range. Once retired, these pets live out the rest of their lives in the comfort of the PNC, lounging and eating as they please.
Of course, bonds between the pets and the staff have occurred, and it is not unheard of to see employees adopt from inside the PNC, giving some of these furry friends a more personal retirement plan.
Overall, the canine and feline community at the Hill’s PNC is as busy as it is filling — see for yourself with a 360° virtual tour.
