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Nature of Operations
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Nature of Operations
Nature of Operations    

The Company manufactures and markets a wide variety of products in the U.S. and around the world in two distinct business segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. Oral, Personal and Home Care products include toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouth rinses, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, laundry and dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, bleaches and other similar items. These products are sold primarily to wholesale and retail distributors worldwide. Pet Nutrition products include specialty pet nutrition products manufactured and marketed by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. The principal customers for Pet Nutrition products are veterinarians and specialty pet retailers. Principal global and regional trademarks include Colgate, Palmolive, Mennen, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Sanex, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, elmex, Tom’s of Maine, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline, Suavitel, Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet.

The Company’s principal classes of products accounted for the following percentages of worldwide sales for the past three years:
  
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Oral Care
 
43
%
 
43
%
 
41
%
Home Care
 
22
%
 
22
%
 
23
%
Personal Care
 
22
%
 
22
%
 
22
%
Pet Nutrition
 
13
%
 
13
%
 
14
%
Total
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%