Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]
Venezuela hyperinflationary transition charge						$ 271	$ 0		$ 271		$ 0
Costs before tax associated with various Business Realignment and other cost-saving initiatives							190
Pretax costs related to sale of land							13		0		0
Termination Benefits							0		86		0
Gain before tax on sales of non-core product lines			207	50			207		50		5
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales							16,734		15,564		15,327
Total Operating profit							3,841		3,489		3,615
Total Capital Expenditures							537		550		575
Total Depreciation and Amortization							421		376		351
Total Identifiable assets	12,724	[1]		11,172	[1]		12,724	[1]	11,172	[1]	11,134	[1]
Percentage Of Corporate Identifiable Assets Consisting Of Derivative Instruments	73.00%			44.00%			73.00%		44.00%		44.00%
Percentage Of Corporate Identifiable Assets Consisting Of Investments In Equity Securities	22.00%			48.00%			22.00%		48.00%		46.00%
Total Long Lived Assets	7,926			7,116			7,926		7,116		6,795
Charge For French Competition Law Matter	21						21		0		0
Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales							14,562		13,484		13,195
Net Sales in the U.S.							2,567		2,591		2,577
Total Operating profit							3,727		3,688		3,582
Total Capital Expenditures							431		386		344
Total Depreciation and Amortization							309		277		266
Total Identifiable assets	11,548			10,041			11,548		10,041		9,956
Pet Nutrition [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales							2,172	[2]	2,080	[2]	2,132	[2]
Net Sales in the U.S.							1,032		1,025		1,071
Total Operating profit							560		559		555
Total Capital Expenditures							32		81		156
Total Depreciation and Amortization							51		45		36
Total Identifiable assets	1,078			1,081			1,078		1,081		1,127
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating profit							(446)		(758)		(522)
Total Capital Expenditures							74		83		75
Total Depreciation and Amortization							61		54		49
Total Identifiable assets	98	[3]		50	[3]		98	[3]	50	[3]	51	[3]
North America [Member] | Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales							2,995	[4]	3,005	[4]	2,950	[4]
Total Operating profit							791		884		843
Total Capital Expenditures							54		57		62
Total Depreciation and Amortization							57		57		59
Total Identifiable assets	2,288			2,231			2,288		2,231		2,271
Latin America [Member] | Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales							4,778		4,261		4,319
Total Operating profit							1,414		1,295		1,360
Total Capital Expenditures							194		138		105
Total Depreciation and Amortization							91		84		77
Total Identifiable assets	3,636			3,092			3,636		3,092		3,278
Europe South Pacific [Member] | Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales							3,508		3,220		3,271
Total Operating profit							715		742		748
Total Capital Expenditures							64		80		86
Total Depreciation and Amortization							82		67		67
Total Identifiable assets	3,555			2,775			3,555		2,775		2,647
Greater Asia Africa [Member] | Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales							3,281		2,998		2,655
Total Operating profit							807		767		631
Total Capital Expenditures							119		111		91
Total Depreciation and Amortization							79		69		63
Total Identifiable assets	$ 2,069			$ 1,943			$ 2,069		$ 1,943		$ 1,760

[1] Long-lived assets in the U.S., primarily property, plant and equipment and goodwill and other intangibles represented approximately one-third of total long-lived assets of $7,926, $7,116 and $6,795 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

[2] Net sales in the U.S. for Pet Nutrition were $1,032, $1,025 and $1,071 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

[3] In 2011, Corporate identifiable assets primarily consist of derivative instruments (73%) and investments in equity securities (22%). In 2010, Corporate identifiable assets primarily consist of derivative instruments (44%) and investments in equity securities (48%). In 2009, Corporate identifiable assets primarily consist of derivative instruments (44%) and investments in equity securities (46%).

[4] Net sales in the U.S. for Oral, Personal and Home Care were $2,567, $2,591 and $2,577 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.