December  2,  1999


PERSONAL  AND  CONFIDENTIAL

To  Eligible  Fiscal  2000  Bonus  Plan  Participants


        DEFERRAL OF FISCAL 2000 BONUS AND CALENDAR-YEAR 2000 BASE SALARY

The  Deferred  Compensation  Plan  for  Key  Employees  provides  you  with  the
opportunity to DEFER ALL OR A PORTION OF YOUR 2000 BONUS AND/OR BASE SALARY.  In
general,  deferring  compensation has the advantage of POSTPONING PAYMENT OF TAX
and  of  allowing  any earnings on the deferred amount to ACCUMULATE FREE OF TAX
until  distributed.  It  is  now  time  to



  X  DECIDE WHETHER TO DEFER all or part of your calendar-year 2000 base salary
---- and/or  any  cash  bonus  you  might  receive,  and

  X  Promptly return the enclosed election form.  YOUR  ELECTION  FORM  MUST  BE
---- POSTMARKED OR FAXED BY DECEMBER 31, 1999, or you will not be able to defer
     any 2000  base  salary  or  bonus.


Last year, we communicated A NUMBER OF ENHANCEMENTS to Ralston Purina's Deferred
Compensation  Plan  for  Key  Employees.  These  enhancements  include:

     The  ability  to  DEFER  UP  TO  75%  OF  YOUR  BASE  SALARY
     INTERMEDIATE-TERM DEFERRAL OPTIONS that allow you to defer compensation for
periods  as  short as three years to help meet shorter-term financial needs such
as  funding  a  child's  college  education  or financing a future home purchase
     Payment  distribution options that provide 5 and 10 year ANNUAL INSTALLMENT
PAYMENTS  if  you  are  at  least  50  years of age at termination of employment
     Opportunity to transfer existing account balances, except for Company match
accounts,  to  NINE  INVESTMENTS  FUNDS which mirror the returns of the Vanguard
mutual  funds  that  are available in the Savings Investment Plan plus the Prime
Rate  Fund,  and  the  Ralston Purina Equity Fund which continues to offer a 25%
COMPANY  MATCH  ON  BONUS  DEFERRALS  INTO  THAT  FUND.
     Transaction  flexibility  including  DAILY  INVESTMENT  REALLOCATIONS,
interactive  voice  response  system,  Internet  access  to  account  balance
information,  and  quarterly  account  statements.
     New  Plan  Administrator,  Compensation  Resource  Group  (CRG)


<PAGE>

Deferral  of  2000  Base  Salary  and  Bonus
December  2,  1999
Page  Two



Please review the enclosed information carefully.  Then, using the pre-addressed
envelope  which is provided, return one copy of the 2000 Annual Salary and Bonus
Deferral  Election form to Compensation Resource Group (CRG), WHETHER OR NOT YOU
WISH  TO  REQUEST A DEFERRAL.  YOUR ELECTION FORM MUST BE POSTMARKED OR FAXED TO
CRG  NO  LATER  THAN  DECEMBER  31, 1999.  A duplicate form is enclosed for your
records.  Keep in mind that your election to defer may not be changed after that
date.

If  you  have  any  questions  concerning  this  information,  please  contact
Compensation  Resource  Group  at 1-800-405-0911 or Pat Robbins at 314-982-5889.





Ron  Sheban
Ralston  Purina  Company
Compensation  and  Benefits  Planning
Telephone  314-982-2325


Enclosures



Note  to  Energizer  Associates:
Because  of  the  planned  spinoff  of  Eveready  Battery  Company,  Energizer
associates'  salary  and  bonus  deferral elections will apply ONLY TO BONUS AND
SALARY  EARNED DURING THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF THE 2000 FISCAL YEAR.  That is, your
deferral  elections will affect only salary and bonus you earn through March 31,
2000.  Early  in calendar 2000, you will be given an opportunity to defer salary
and bonus you earn in the second six months of the fiscal year.  Those deferrals
will  be  governed  by  a  new  Energizer  deferred  compensation  plan.
Upon spinoff, current deferred compensation account balances will be credited to
the  new  Energizer  plan.  More  details  will  be  provided  when  available.




<PAGE>
HOW  DO  I  ENROLL?

1.     FILL  OUT  THE  ENCLOSED  DEFERRAL  ELECTION  FORM.
First,  in  the  DEFERRAL  ELECTION  section, indicate HOW MUCH, if any, of your
annual  base salary and/or bonus YOU WOULD LIKE TO DEFER into the Plan for 2000.

Then,  make your DEFERRAL TERM election by indicating whether you want your 2000
deferrals to be paid out 1) in January of 2001, 2) at some future date while you
are  still  employed  by  the  Company,  or  3)  at retirement or termination of
employment.

Next,  under  FUND  ALLOCATION,  select  the  fund(s) to which you would like to
direct  your  deferrals.  NOTE:  IF  YOU  ELECT  TO  DEFER 100% OF YOUR ELIGIBLE
COMPENSATION  TO JANUARY 2001, DO NOT COMPLETE THE FUND ALLOCATION SECTION WHICH
ONLY APPLIES TO INTERMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM DEFERRALS.  Short-term deferrals will
be  allocated  to  the  Prime  Rate  Fund.

If you would like to initially elect or change the form of distribution for your
deferred  compensation  account  balances,  complete  the  PAYMENT  FORM section
indicating  if  you  want a lump-sum or installment payments over 5 or 10 years.
This  election  will  apply to your entire deferred compensation account balance
(except  for the Fixed Benefit Option) and will only apply to distributions made
at  least  one  year  following the date this form is completed.  You must be at
least  50  years  of  age  at  the time payment begins to receive an installment
payment.  IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO CHANGE YOUR CURRENT FORM OF DISTRIBUTION, YOU DO
NOT  NEED  TO  COMPLETE  THIS SECTION.  If you do not have an "aged" election on
file,  your  account  balance  will  be  paid  in  lump-sum.

Finally,  complete  the  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT  section  of  the  form.

If  you  would  like  to change your current beneficiary designation, you should
contact  Compensation  Resource  Group  (CRG)  at  1-800-405-0911  to  request a
beneficiary  form  indicating  who should receive your benefits in the event you
die  before  your  account  is  paid.

2.     SIGN  AND  DATE  THE  DEFERRAL  ELECTION  FORM.

3.     RETURN  THE  COMPLETED  ELECTION  FORM IN THE PRE-ADDRESSED, POSTAGE-PAID
ENVELOPE  TO COMPENSATION RESOURCE GROUP (CRG).  Retain a copy for your records.
Note that YOUR ELECTION FORM MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 31, 1999.
While  facsimile  copies  of  the  election  form  will  be accepted through the
deadline,  a  signed  copy  must also be mailed to CRG at the following address:
                            ----
                           COMPENSATION RESOURCE GROUP
                                633 W. 5TH STREET
                                   52ND FLOOR
                              LOS ANGELES, CA 90071
                            FAX NUMBER: 213-438-6600

<PAGE>
There  are  eleven  fund options available under the Deferred Compensation Plan:
nine Vanguard funds, the Prime Rate Fund and the Ralston Purina Equity Fund.  An
abbreviated  capsule  description  of  each  fund and its historical returns are
outlined  below.  Before  deciding  which fund(s) to select, you should read the
fund  prospectuses which provide additional details.  NOTE THAT, UNDER THE TERMS
OF  THE  DEFERRED  COMPENSATION PLAN FOR KEY EMPLOYEES, THESE FUNDS ARE USED FOR
MEASUREMENT  PURPOSES  ONLY.  YOUR  ACCOUNT  WILL  BE  CREDITED  WITH INVESTMENT
RETURNS  BASED  ON THESE FUNDS BUT WILL BE REFLECTED AS A BOOKKEEPING ENTRY ONLY
AND  WILL  NOT  REPRESENT  AN  ACTUAL  INVESTMENT  MADE  ON  YOUR  BEHALF.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


AVERAGE  ANNUALIZED  RETURNS  AS  OF  SEPTEMBER  30,  1999
                                                                               1 YEAR   5 YEARS  10 YEARS
                                                                               ------   -------  --------
<S>                                                                                <C>    <C>       <C>
RALSTON PURINA EQUITY FUND
Common stock of Ralston Purina Company.
                                                                                   -3.37    17.78   10.90

PRIME RATE FUND
Interest based on the average prime rates established by Morgan Guaranty
Trust Company of New York.
                                                                                    7.88     8.28    7.96

VANGUARD WELLINGTON FUND
The fund's assets are divided between common stocks and bonds, with an
average of 65% of assets in stocks and 35% in bonds.  The fund invests in
dividend-paying large- and mid-capitalization stocks of well-established
companies whose prospects are improving but whose values have yet to be
recognized in the marketplace.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9.46    16.47   12.46

VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND
The fund holds all of the 500 stocks that make up the Standard & Poor's 500
Index in proportion to their weighting in the index. The fund attempts to match
the performance of the index, a widely recognized benchmark of U.S. stock
market performance, and it remains fully invested in stocks at all times.
Though the fund seeks to match the index, its performance typically can be
expected to fall short by a small percentage representing operating costs.. . . .  27.84    24.95   16.67

VANGUARD WINDSOR II FUND
The fund invests in a diversified group of out-of-favor stocks of large-
capitalization companies.  The stocks are, as a group, selling at prices below
the overall market average compared to their dividend income and future
return potential. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10.33    20.10   13.94

VANGUARD SMALL-CAP INDEX FUND
The fund attempts to match the performance of the Russell 2000 Index, an
unmanaged index of small companies.  The fund invests in a large sampling of
stocks that matches certain characteristics of the index (such as industry
weightings, market capitalization, and dividend yield).  Though the fund seeks
to match the index, its performance typically can be expected to fall short by a
small percentage representing operating costs.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21.08    13.47   11.53

VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND
The fund invests in stocks of high-quality, seasoned companies based outside
the United States.  It invests 60% to 70% of its assets in companies with
sustainable competitive advantages and strong prospects for long-term growth. . .  22.12    10.13    8.26

VANGUARD LIFESTRATEGY INCOME FUND
This fund seeks a high level of income.  It invests its net assets in a
combination of four different Vanguard funds: a stock fund, two bond funds,
and an asset allocation fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5.50  11.53(1)  N/A

VANGUARD LIFESTRATEGY CONSERVATIVE GROWTH FUND
This fund seeks a high level of income and moderate long-term growth of
capital and income. It  invests its net assets in a combination of five different
Vanguard funds: a domestic stock fund, an international stock fund, two bond
funds, and an asset allocation fund.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10.93  13.63(1)  N/A

VANGUARD LIFESTRATEGY MODERATE GROWTH FUND
This fund seeks a reasonable level of income and long-term growth of capital
and income. It invests its net assets in a combination of four different
Vanguard funds: a bond fund, a domestic stock fund, an international stock
fund, a bond fund, and an asset allocation fund.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16.03  15.94(1)  N/A

VANGUARD LIFESTRATEGY GROWTH FUND
This fund seeks long-term growth of capital and income. It invests its net
assets in a combination of four different Vanguard funds: a bond fund, a
domestic stock fund, an international stock fund, a bond fund and an asset
allocation fund.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21.92  18.11(1)  N/A
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----  --------  -----
</TABLE>



 (1)  Four-year  returns.  (LifeStrategy  Funds  started  September  30,  1994.)






EXECUTIVE  SUMMARY

This  executive  summary  is  qualified  in  its  entirety  by the more detailed
information  set  forth in the Questions and Answers and the Plan Prospectus and
Plan  Document.

INTRODUCTION
Ralston Purina Company (the "Company") and its subsidiaries are pleased to offer
you  this opportunity to participate in the Ralston Purina Deferred Compensation
Plan  for  Key  Employees  (the  "Plan").  Deferring  compensation  provides  an
opportunity for pre-tax savings to help you accumulate assets for planned events
during  your  working  life  and  retirement.

HIGHLIGHTS
During  this  year's  annual  enrollment  period for the Plan, you will have the
opportunity  to:
     Defer  pre-tax  compensation
         Minimum  deferral  of  $1,000
         Up  to  100%  of  your  2000  bonus
         Up  to  75%  of  your  2000  calendar  year  base  salary
     Elect  to  receive  your  2000  bonus  and  salary  deferrals  as
         a  short-term  lump-sum  payout  in  January  2001,
         an intermediate-term lump-sum payout at some fixed date which is at
         least 3 years  after  deferral,  or
         a  long-term  payout  at  retirement  or  termination
     Select  five or ten-year annual installment payments if you defer long-term
     and  leave  the  Company  after  age  50
     Transfer  existing  deferred compensation account balances among the eleven
     available  investment  funds


             THE SPECIFIC LEGAL DETAILS OF THE PLAN ARE ALL INCLUDED
                              IN THE PLAN DOCUMENT

     The Plan Document will govern in all cases.  If there is a discrepancy
         between the information in this material and the Plan Document,
                         the Plan Document will prevail.

<PAGE>

7

WHY  DEFER  COMPENSATION?

SAVING  FOR  RETIREMENT
When  it  comes  to  retirement planning, your qualified Pension Plan and 401(k)
Savings  Investment  Plan  (SIP)  are just a part of the story.  Current federal
income  tax  limits  restrict  your  yearly  SIP savings.  Internal Revenue Code
discrimination  testing  may result in further reductions to your pre-tax saving
opportunity  in  the  SIP.

Your  Pension, SIP and Social Security benefits may not provide sufficient funds
to  maintain  your  desired  lifestyle  during  your  retirement  years.

PRE-TAX  SAVINGS
With a nonqualified deferred compensation plan such as the Deferred Compensation
Plan  for  Key Employees, you can defer and invest a substantial portion of your
income  BEFORE  Federal  and  state  income  and  local  TAXES are deducted, and
compound  that  pre-tax  income  tax-free  until  the  money  is  paid  to  you.

FOR  EXAMPLE:

If  you  are  in  a 40% tax bracket and defer $10,000 into the Plan, you have an
immediate  tax  savings  of $4,000 in the year you defer.  In addition, you have
$4,000  in  your  deferred  compensation  account on which tax-deferred earnings
accumulate.

TAX-DEFERRED  EARNINGS

WHAT  IS  A  DEFERRED  COMPENSATION  PLAN?
A  deferred  compensation  plan  allows  you  to defer a portion of your current
income  on  a pre-tax basis.  This reduces your current taxable income. Unlike a
40l(k)  plan,  you are not subject to government limitations on how much you can
defer.

Your  deferred  compensation  account  is  also  credited  with  earnings  on  a
tax-deferred  basis.  Because  your  account  balance  is  based on your pre-tax
deferral amount plus pre-tax earnings, your account balance grows faster than if
you  invested  your after-tax income in similar investments outside of the Plan.
The advantage to investing your money before taxes using a deferred compensation
plan  may  result  in  investment  earnings  much  larger than similar after-tax
investment  alternatives.

NOT  JUST  FOR  RETIREMENT

With  the  new features of the Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Employees, you
are  not  limited  to  pay  outs  only  at  termination  of  employment.

Intermediate-term pay outs are available to help you meet shorter-term financial
needs, such as helping to fund a child's college education, financing a new home
purchase,  or  meeting  other  foreseeable  financial  obligations.

<PAGE>
QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS

These Questions and Answers are qualified in their entirety by the more detailed
information  set  forth in the Prospectus and Plan Document.  You are encouraged
to  read  the  Prospectus in its entirety and to ask any questions you may have.
If any discrepancy arises between these Questions and Answers and the Prospectus
or  Plan  Document,  the  terms  of  the  Plan  Document  will  govern.

PLAN  OBJECTIVES
Q  What  is  the  purpose  of  the  Plan?
A  The Plan is designed to allow participants to defer a portion of their annual
compensation  on  a  pre-tax  basis  and  receive a tax-deferred return on these
deferrals.

DEFERRALS
Q  When  do  I  make  my  deferral  election?
A  To  participate in the Plan during the 2000 plan year, you must enroll in the
Plan  and make your irrevocable election by December 31, 1999.  Enrollment forms
received  after  the  deadline  cannot  be  accepted.
Q  Can  I  change  the  amount I am deferring or stop my deferrals during a plan
year?
A  No.  IRS  rules  and regulations require that an irrevocable election be made
sufficiently  in  advance of the period during which the compensation is earned.
Therefore,  changing  or  stopping  an  elected  annual  deferral  amount  while
remaining  a  participant is not permitted, except in very limited circumstances
set  forth  in  the  Plan  (e.g.,  unforeseeable  emergency creating serious and
immediate  financial  hardship).
Q  If  I  defer  salary,  how  will  the  deferrals  be  handled?
A  If  you  elect  to  defer  base  salary,  beginning in January 2000, an equal
percentage of your salary will be deferred each month during calendar year 2000.
The  next  opportunity  to  elect  to  defer salary will be in December 2000 for
salary  earned  in  2001.

COMPANY  MATCH
Q  Will  the  Company  match  my  deferrals  to  the Ralston Purina Equity Fund?
A  Bonus  deferrals  to  the  Ralston Purina Equity Fund are credited with a 25%
Company  match,  provided  those elective deferrals remain in the Ralston Purina
Equity  Fund  for  at  least  twelve  months  from the date of deferral.  Salary
deferrals  are  not  matched.
           --------
Q  When  do  I  become  vested  in  the  Company  matching  amounts?
A  You become fully vested in the Company matching deferrals upon termination of
employment if 1) you have attained age 50 or 2) you are involuntarily terminated
at  any  age,  other  than  for  cause.
<PAGE>

COMPANY  MATCH  (CONT)
Q  Under  what  circumstances  would  I  forfeit  Company  matching  deferrals?
A  Matching  deferrals  are  forfeited if you 1) are terminated for cause at any
age,  2) voluntarily terminate prior to age 50, or 3) engage in competition with
the  Company  within  two  (2)  years  after  termination  prior  to  age  50.

CREDITING  RATE
Q  How  will  the  returns  on  the  deferred  amounts  be  calculated?
A  When  you  make  your  deferral  election,  you will select any or all of the
following  "measurement" funds.  You must allocate your deferral to each fund in
whole  percentage  point  increments,  and  the total must equal 100%.  Deferred
bonuses  will  be  credited  to  your account(s) effective November 1.  Deferred
salary  will  be  credited  to  your  account(s)  effective on the date it would
otherwise  have  been  paid to you. You will not receive any earnings until your
deferral  is  credited  to  your  account(s).
-     Prime  Rate  Fund
-     Ralston  Purina  Equity  Fund
-     Vanguard  Wellington  Fund
-     Vanguard  500  Index  Fund
-     Vanguard  Windsor  II  Fund
-     Vanguard  Small-Cap  Index  Fund
-     Vanguard  International  Growth  Fund
-     Vanguard  LifeStrategy  Income  Fund
-     Vanguard  LifeStrategy  Conservative  Growth  Fund
-     Vanguard  LifeStrategy  Moderate  Growth  Fund
-     Vanguard  LifeStrategy  Growth  Fund

For  the  Vanguard  measurement funds, deferred amounts will earn returns (which
may be positive or negative) as if they had been invested at the net asset value
(net  of  investment  advisory  fees)  of  the  measurement  funds.

NOTE  THAT  UNDER THE TERMS OF THE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR KEY EMPLOYEES,
THESE  FUNDS  ARE  USED  FOR  MEASUREMENT  PURPOSES  ONLY.  YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE
CREDITED WITH INVESTMENT RETURNS BASED ON THESE FUNDS BUT WILL BE REFLECTED AS A
BOOKKEEPING  ENTRY ONLY AND WILL NOT REPRESENT AN ACTUAL INVESTMENT MADE ON YOUR
BEHALF.

<PAGE>
CREDITING  RATE  (CONT)
Q  Will  I  own  shares  or  units  of  the  measurement  funds  I  select?
A  No.  IRS  rules  require  that  the  deferred  compensation  accounts  remain
"unfunded";  therefore  you  do not own shares or units of the measurement funds
you  select  as  a means for measuring the return on your deferred compensation.
As  long  as  you have an account balance in this Plan, you will be an unsecured
general  creditor  of  Ralston  Purina  Company  for  the amount of your account
balance.
Q  Where  can  I  get  more  information  about  the  measurement  funds?
A  In  selecting  your  measurement  funds,  you should consider the effect your
selections  will  have  on  your  overall  asset portfolio.  To help you in this
process,  you  should  read  prospectuses  for  the  Vanguard measurement funds.
Prospectuses  for  the  Vanguard  Funds  can be requested by contacting Vanguard
Participant  Services  at  1-800-523-1188.
Q  After  selecting  my  measurement  funds,  may  I  change them in the future?
A  Yes.  You  may  change  your  selections  daily  among  any  of the available
measurement  funds.  You may reallocate in any whole percentage point increments
among  the  measurement  funds.  Remember  that bonus deferrals into the Ralston
Purina  Equity  Fund cannot be reallocated until they have been deferred for one
year.  Dollars  credited  to the Company Match account cannot be allocated among
other  measurement  funds.
Q  How  will  fund  balances  be  valued?
A     With  the exception of the Ralston Purina Equity Fund and Prime Rate Fund,
all  account  balances  will  be  valued  daily  based on the performance of the
measurement  funds as of the close of business day on the valuation date, at the
closing  price  quoted on the New York Stock Exchange.  The Prime Rate Fund will
be  valued  based  on  the average of the daily close of business prime rates as
establishing  by  the  Morgan  Guaranty  Trust Company of New York.  The Ralston
Purina  Equity  Fund will be valued based on the average of the closing price of
Ralston  Purina's  common  stock  as  reported  by the New York Stock Exchange -
Composite  Transactions - DURING THE TEN (10) TRADING DAYS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING
THE  VALUATION  DATE.


<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTIONS
Q  Under  what  circumstances  can I receive a distribution of all or part of my
account  balance?
A  There  are  several  ways you can elect to receive a distribution of all or a
portion  of  your  account  balance:
     Short-term  deferrals allow you to defer your salary or bonus until January
     ---------------------
of  the calendar year following the year in which the salary or bonus is earned.
Interest  is  credited at the prime rate under the terms of the Prime Rate Fund.
     Intermediate-term  deferrals provide you with access to all or a portion of
     ----------------------------
your  annual  deferral  amount, plus earnings, at any point in the future but no
earlier  than  three  (3)  years  from  the  date  the  payment  is  deferred.
     Long-term  deferrals until retirement or termination of employment.  If you
     -------------------------------------------------------------------
leave  the Company prior to age 50, you will receive a lump-sum benefit equal to
your  account  balance.  If  you  leave  the Company at age 50 or older, you can
elect  to  receive  an  amount  equal  to your account balance payable in annual
installments  over  5  or 10 years, if such an election is in place for one year
prior  to  payment.  If  no  such  installment  election has been made, you will
receive  your  distribution  in  lump  sum.

If  you  die  while  actively  employed  but  prior  to  reaching  age  50, your
beneficiary  will  receive a lump-sum payment equal to your account balance.  If
you  die  after  age 50, your beneficiary will be paid your account balance in a
lump  sum,  unless an installment election has been in place for one year at the
time  of  your  death.
Q  If  I  elect  a  distribution  payment  form at this time, what deferrals are
affected  and  can  I  change  the distribution payment form at some later date?
A  For  long-term  deferrals,  you may select a pay out option  lump sum or 5 or
10-year  annual  installments.  That  pay  out  option will apply to all current
deferred  compensation  account balances with the exception of the Fixed Benefit
Option  (FBO).  You may modify the pay out option election at any time, but your
election  will  only  be  effective  if in place at least one year prior to your
retirement  or  termination.  Remember  that  installment  pay  outs  are  only
available  if  you  retire  or  terminate  employment  at  age  50  or  older.


<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTIONS  (CONT)
Q  When will I decide how, when, and in what form to receive a distribution from
the  Plan?
A  For  each  Plan  year,  you will be asked to choose whether you want to begin
receiving  your  annual  deferral  amount (salary and bonus) earned in that Plan
year,  plus  the  earnings  credited,  as  a  short-term,  intermediate-term, or
long-term  pay  out.
An  election  for  a short-term pay out will be paid in a lump sum in January of
the  year  following  deferral.
An  election  for  an  intermediate-term pay out cannot be received earlier than
three  (3)  years  from  the  date  on  which  the payment would have been made.
Payment  is  in  lump-sum  form  only.
An  election  for  a  long-term pay out is payable at retirement or termination.
Payment is also in a lump-sum form, unless your election to receive your benefit
in  a  5-year  or  10-year  installment  has been in place for one year prior to
payment.
Q  Can  you  tell  me  more  about  intermediate-term  deferrals?
A  Intermediate-term  deferrals  are  available  to  help  you meet shorter-term
financial needs such as helping to fund a child's college education, financing a
future  home  purchase,  or  meeting  other  foreseeable  financial obligations.
This  option allows you to elect to receive a distribution of an annual deferral
amount,  plus  earnings,  from  the Plan in any designated year that is at least
three  years  after  the end of the Plan year with respect to which the deferred
compensation  is  earned.  For  example, an intermediate-term payout elected for
the  2000  Plan  year can be paid no earlier than January 1, 2004.  Your payment
would  be  in  a  lump  sum.
The  intermediate-term  deferral is an annual election.  Each year when you make
your  election  to  defer,  you  may  elect  either  to  receive  a  future
intermediate-term  pay  out  of  that  year's  annual deferral amount, delay the
distribution until retirement or termination, or defer the pay out until January
of  the  year  following  deferral.

<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTIONS  (CONT)
Q  What  are  my  distribution  options  when  I retire or terminate employment?
A If you leave the Company after age 50, you can receive a benefit from the Plan
in  a  lump  sum or in annual installments over a period of 5 or 10 years if the
election  of  installment  payments  was in place for at least one year prior to
your retirement or termination.  If installments are elected, the unpaid balance
will  continue  to  accrue  earnings  based  on  your  investment  selections.
Distributions  will  begin  no  later  than  60  days following the date of your
retirement  or  termination.
If you terminate employment prior to age 50, you will receive a lump-sum payment
of  your  account  balance.
Q  Who  can  I  name  as  beneficiary?
A  You  can  name  any  individual  or  entity  you  wish.
Q  Can  I  assign  or  dispose  of  my  earnings  in  the  Plan?
A No.  You cannot in any way sell, assign, hypothecate, alienate, encumber or in
any  way  transfer or convey in advance of receipt, any of your rights under the
Plan.
Q  Can  I  take  a  loan  from  my  account  balance?
A  No,  loans  are  not  available.

TAXES
Q  What  is  the  income  tax  effect  of  electing  to  defer  income?
A  Amounts  you  defer  under  the Plan will not be taxed for Federal income tax
purposes  in the year they are earned and would have otherwise been paid to you.
However, FICA (Social Security  up to taxable wage base  and Medicare HI) tax is
withheld.  In  addition,  earnings credited in accordance with the Plan will not
be  taxed  for Federal income tax purposes in the year they are credited to your
account balance.  Rather, these amounts will be taxed when they are paid to you.
Earnings  on  the  deferred  amounts  are  not  subject  to  FICA  taxes.



<PAGE>
TAXES  (CONT)
Q  If  my  deferrals  are considered before-tax deferrals, why is FICA currently
withheld?
A  IRS rules require that your deferral amounts are considered wages at the time
that  they  ARE  EARNED, regardless of when paid, for the purpose of calculating
FICA  taxes  (Social Security and Medicare HI tax components).  Thus, FICA taxes
must  be  withheld  at  the  time your deferrals are earned and credited to your
account  balance.  If,  at  the  time  of deferral, your wages for the year have
exceeded  the taxable wage base for Social Security at the time of your deferral
($76,200  for 2000) the Social Security portion of FICA (6.2%) will not apply to
your  deferred  bonus  or  deferred salary.  If the taxable wage base for Social
Security  has  not  been met at the time of deferral, FICA will be withheld from
any  cash  compensation  with  respect  to  your deferred amounts.  In addition,
salary  deferral  may  be  limited  to allow for cash payments of FICA and other
benefit deductions.  Since no taxable wage base limit applies to the Medicare HI
component, your deferred compensation will be subject to Medicare HI withholding
tax  of  1.45%.  The  vested Ralston Purina Equity Fund Company match amount, if
any,  will  also  be  subject  to  FICA  in  the  year  it  vests.
Q  If  I  receive  a  distribution from the Plan, can I roll the money over into
another  plan  to  avoid  taxes?
A  No.  The Plan is a nonqualified plan and IRS rules do not allow distributions
from  a nonqualified plan to be rolled over into a tax-qualified retirement plan
or  IRA.
Q  How  are  my  annual  deferral amounts taxed when they are distributed to me?
A Your annual deferral amounts and earnings accrued on such amounts are taxed as
current  income for Federal, state income and local tax purposes, as applicable,
when  they  are  distributed  to  you.  Special  income  tax  averaging  is  not
available.  All  FICA  should  have  been  withheld  at  the time of deferral or
vesting of Company match and no additional FICA should be due.  Please note that
under Federal law, installment payments made over 10 years may not be subject to
state income taxes, if paid to you when you are residing in a state that imposes
no income tax; however, lump sum payments, in such case, may be subject to taxes
imposed  by the state in which you were employed when such deferred compensation
was  earned.  This  issue  should  be  discussed  with  your  tax  advisor.

<PAGE>

TAXES  (CONT)
Q  Will the distributions from the Plan affect my Social Security benefits after
I  retire?
A  Yes  and  no.  Distributions  made  from the Plan will not affect your Social
Security  benefits  themselves.  For  purposes  of  Social  Security,  these
distributions  are  considered  "earned" when they are credited to your account;
therefore,  they  do  not  constitute earned income under the earnings test when
they  are  distributed  to  you.  However,  because  the  distributions  will be
considered  gross  income  for  Federal  income  tax purposes, they may have the
effect  of  subjecting your Social Security benefits to Federal income taxation.
These  issues  should  be  discussed  with  your  tax  advisor.

PLAN  ADMINISTRATION
Q  How  frequently  will  I  receive  a  statement  of  my  Account  Balance?
A  You  will  receive  an  account  statement  quarterly  as soon as practicable
following the close of each calendar quarter.  Compensation Resource Group, Inc.
("CRG"),  is  assisting the Company with the administration of the Plan and will
prepare  the  statements.
Q  Will  I  be  able  to  access my account balance via the Internet or over the
phone?
A  Yes.  CRG provides both Internet and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems
so  that you can access your account 24 hours a day from either your computer or
your  telephone.  Both systems allow you to access your current balance and make
certain changes, such as allocating your account balance to different funds. The
toll-free  IVR  number is 888-333-1653.  CRG's Internet address is CRGWORLD.COM.
Q  Where  can  I  get  more  information  about the Plan and its administrators?
A  The  Plan Prospectus is included with this mailing.  We encourage you to read
it.  If  you  still have questions after reading the information in this packet,
you  may call Compensation Resource Group (CRG) at (800) 405-0911 or Pat Robbins
at  (314)  982-5889.

GENERAL
Q  What  effect  does  deferring  compensation  have  on  my  pension  benefits?
A  The  Ralston  Purina  Retirement  Plan definition of "final average earnings"
includes  deferred  compensation.  Therefore, under the terms of that Plan, your
pension  benefit will be calculated including deferred bonuses and/or salary, as
long  as  their inclusion does not violate IRS nondiscrimination rules governing
qualified plans or other IRS limits.  Deferred bonus and salary will be included
in  benefit  earnings  for  purposes of the Retirement Plan in the year in which
they  are  earned.

GENERAL  (CONT)
Q  What  effect  does  deferring compensation have on my Savings Investment Plan
(SIP)  participation?
A  If  you are a participant in the Savings Investment Plan, any bonus or salary
deferred  under  the  Deferred  Compensation  Plan  will not be included in your
                                                    --------
compensation  for  purposes  of  computing  your SIP contribution or the Company
matching  SIP  contribution.  Please  note, however, that your SIP contributions
are  deducted  from  the  cash  payments  of  Short-Term Deferrals (BUT NOT FROM
PAYMENTS OF INTERMEDIATE DEFERRALS) if you are an active employee at the time of
payment.

SECURITY
Q  Will  the  Company  guarantee  the  payment  of  my account balance under all
circumstances?
A  Benefits under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Employees are unfunded.
In  considering  participation,  you  should  note  that  your  right to receive
distributions  from the Plan is that of an unsecured general creditor of Ralston
Purina  Company.  The  Company has set aside funds in a grantor trust to help it
meet  its  benefit  obligations  under  this Plan and certain other plans.  This
trust  is also subject to the claims of creditors.  If the Company fails to meet
its  funding  commitments  to  the  trust, an event not presently anticipated to
occur,  employees  will,  unless they elect otherwise, be entitled to be paid by
the  Company  the  present  value of all amounts deferred under the Plan at that
time.  This  provision  in no way is intended to alter the status of the Plan as
an  unfunded  plan  of  deferred  compensation.





These  questions  and  answers provide a summary description of the Plan.  For a
more  complete  description of Plan provisions and benefits, please refer to the
Plan  Prospectus.  If  any  conflicts arise between this summary description and
the  Prospectus  or  Plan  Document,  the  Plan  Document  will  prevail.

<PAGE>



NOTE  TO  ENERGIZER  EMPLOYEES:
Because  of  the  planned  spinoff  of  Eveready  Battery  Company,  Energizer
associates'  salary  and  bonus  deferral elections will apply ONLY TO BONUS AND
SALARY  EARNED DURING THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF THE 2000 FISCAL YEAR.  That is, your
deferral  elections will affect only salary and bonus you earn through March 31,
2000.  Early  in calendar 2000, you will be given an opportunity to defer salary
and bonus you earn in the second six months of the fiscal year.  Those deferrals
will  be  governed  by  a  new  Energizer  deferred  compensation  plan.
Upon spinoff, current deferred compensation account balances will be credited to
the  new  Energizer  plan.  More  details  will  be  provided  when  available.


<PAGE>

2000  ANNUAL  SALARY  AND  BONUS  DEFERRAL  ELECTION
Please  submit  my  request  as  follows with respect to any 2000 base salary or
fiscal 2000 bonus that I may earn from Ralston Purina Company or its affiliates.
I  understand  that an election to defer, once made, is IRREVOCABLE, and subject
                                                        -----------
to  Human  Resources  Committee  approval.
     PLEASE  CHECK  BOX BELOW IF YOU WISH TO DEFER A PORTION OF YOUR BASE SALARY
OR  BONUS.
DEFERRAL  ELECTION     YOU  MUST  DEFER  AT  LEAST  $1,000  TO  PARTICIPATE.
------------------     -----------------------------------------------------
   NO SALARY DEFERRAL     I do not wish to defer any portion of my calendar 2000
base  salary.
   SALARY  DEFERRAL     I  elect  to  defer  ________  %  (maximum of 75%) of my
-------------------
calendar  2000  base  salary.
------
   NO  BONUS  DEFERRAL     I  do not wish to defer any portion of my 2000 bonus.
   BONUS  DEFERRAL     I elect to defer ________%  OR all up to $______________,
------------------     ------------------------------
OR  defer  all  in  excess  of  $____________  of  any  2000  bonus.
--
DEFERRAL  TERM     THIS  ELECTION  GOVERNS  BOTH  YOUR  2000  SALARY  AND  BONUS
DEFERRALS.  PERCENTAGES  MUST  TOTAL  100%.
   I  elect  to  receive  ________% of my 2000 base salary and/or bonus deferral
amounts  as  a short-term payout in January, 2001 with interest calculated under
the  terms of the Prime Rate Fund,  payable in lump sum.  IF YOU CHOOSE TO DEFER
                                                          ----------------------
100%  OF  YOUR  ELIGIBLE  SALARY/BONUS  SHORT  TERM,  DO  NOT  COMPLETE THE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLOCATION  SECTION  BELOW.
--------------------------
   I  elect  to  receive  ________% of my 2000 base salary and/or bonus deferral
amounts as an intermediate-term payout in January, _________  (indicate any year
beginning  in  2004  or  later),  payable  in  lump  sum  only.
   I  elect  to  receive  ________% of my 2000 base salary and/or bonus deferral
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
amounts  as  a  retirement  payment.
------------------------------------
FUND  ALLOCATION     PLEASE  SELECT  IN WHOLE PERCENTAGE INCREMENTS.  TOTAL MUST
----------------     -----------------------------------------------------------
EQUAL  100%.  THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO INTERMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM DEFERRALS.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL SHORT-TERM DEFERRALS ARE CREDITED WITH INTEREST UNDER THE TERMS OF THE PRIME
RATE  FUND.
I elect to allocate my salary and bonus deferrals to the following funds.  Bonus
deferrals to the Ralston Purina Equity fund receive a 25% Company match.  Salary
deferrals  are  not  matched.
   Ralston Purina Equity Fund     _______ %        Vanguard International Growth
Fund     ________  %
   Prime  Rate  Fund     _______  %        Vanguard  LifeStrategy  Income  Fund
________  %
   Vanguard  Wellington  Fund     _______  %        Vanguard  LifeStrategy
Conservative  Growth  Fund     ________  %
   Vanguard  500  Index Fund     _______ %        Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate
Growth  Fund     ________  %
   Vanguard  Windsor  II  Fund     _______ %        Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth
Fund     ________  %
   Vanguard  Small-Cap  Index  Fund     _______  %
PAYMENT  FORM     CHECK ONE BOX BELOW TO SELECT A PAYMENT OPTION.  IF YOU HAVE A
DISTRIBUTION  ELECTION  FORM ON FILE, AND YOU DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE YOUR CURRENT
DISTRIBUTION  FORM,  THIS  SECTION  DOES  NOT  HAVE TO BE COMPLETED; RATHER THAT
ELECTION  FORM  WILL  CONTINUE  TO  APPLY.
Distributions  made  before age 50 will be in lump-sum form only.  This election
will apply to all Deferred Compensation Plan distributions, except for the Fixed
              ---
Benefit  Option.  This  payment  form  election will apply only to distributions
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
made  one  year  following  the  date  this  form  is  completed.
   -------------------------------------------------------------
CHECK  ONE:   Lump-sum payment    5 Annual Installments   10 Annual Installments
------------
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
---------------

Social  Security  Number                Signature


Today's Date                            Name (Type or Print)  Location/Floor  #

Division/Business  Unit                 Department

Home Street Address        City         State               Zip

             MAIL OR FAX TO COMPENSATION RESOURCE GROUP, INC. (CRG)
   633 W. 5TH STREET  52ND FLOOR  LOS ANGELES, CA 90071-2086   FAX NUMBER:
                                  213-438-6600
      THIS FORM MUST BE POSTMARKED OR FAXED NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 31, 1999
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------