A composition for animal litter derived from field peas includes dried field peas or some combination of dried field peas, an organic moisture absorbent material, and a filler material. The composition for animal litter provides an organic, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly material for absorbing animal waste and containing odor. A method for making the composition includes harvesting dried field peas, comminuting the dried field peas to a desired particle size, and optionally mixing the dried and sized field pea particles with one or more filler materials to improve various properties of the composition such as moisture absorbency and odor retention. Some filler material examples include oat hulls, grass seed screenings, wheat straw, corn straw, wheat middlings, wood pellets, wood pulp, recycled paper, sawdust, walnuts, barley, or soy pulp.

The invention relates to a convertible cushion that may be used as a blanket in an unfolded configuration or used as a cushion or bed in a folded configuration. One use of such a device relates to a fully washable pet bed. When folded, the convertible cushion may be used by a pet as a bed. When unfolded, the convertible cushion may be used as a blanket. Additionally, the device is constructed of material that is fully washable so that it may be washed in a typical household washing machine when in the unfolded position and fully cleaned.

For some configurations, the convertible cushion may further be used in a pocketbook mode, a backpack mode, and a sleeping bag mode (by combining two or more convertible cushions).

Provided is a water absorbent sheet retaining mat which can retain a water absorbent sheet easily and surely. A water absorbent sheet retaining mat for retaining a water absorbent sheet having a first polygonal contour, includes: a mat member having a second polygonal contour defined by mutually opposing a first main plane and a second main plane; and at least one retaining member having a slit member including at least one slit formed in a top surface at a first predetermined height from the second main plane for accepting a part of perimeter of the water absorbent sheet being inserted therein.

Litter compositions are provided comprising sodium bentonite and various fillers. These litter compositions have substantially the same clumpability properties as a composition consisting of only the sodium bentonite.

A device for maintenance of floor cover material present on an animal-shed floor in an animal shed, and including: a pick-up mechanism, a press, a moisture collector, and a moisture supply mechanism. The pick-up mechanism is configured to pick up floor cover material from the animal-shed floor and supply it to the press, the press is configured to press the supplied floor cover material and to supply moisture which has been squeezed out to the moisture collector and to convey pressed floor cover material to the animal-shed floor. The moisture supply mechanism is configured to supply moisture to the floor cover material which has been picked up.

A device for maintenance of floor cover material present on an animal-shed floor in an animal shed, and including: a pick-up mechanism, a press, a moisture collector, and a moisture supply mechanism. The pick-up mechanism is configured to pick up floor cover material from the animal-shed floor and supply it to the press, the press is configured to press the supplied floor cover material and to supply moisture which has been squeezed out to the moisture collector and to convey pressed floor cover material to the animal-shed floor. The moisture supply mechanism is configured to supply moisture to the floor cover material which has been picked up.

A method of making absorbent granules can include mixing activated carbon with a liquid and a binder to form a slurry; applying the slurry to particles of absorbent core material to at least partially coat the particles of the core material with a first distinct layer containing the activated carbon; and applying a clumping agent to the first distinct layer to at least partially coat the first distinct layer with a second distinct layer containing the clumping agent. The absorbent granules can be used as a deodorizer and/or a pet litter, and each of the absorbent granules can include an absorbent core, a first distinct layer containing activated carbon, and a second distinct layer containing a clumping agent such that the first distinct layer is between an outer surface of the absorbent core and an inner surface of the second distinct layer.

A control module that may be configured to detect animal activity of a pet at a waste pad, litter box, or feeding station. The control module comprises a sensor system having a camera. The control module is configured to analyze pet information and generate user data based on the pet information. Additionally, a mobile device is configured to detect animal activity within a field of view. The mobile device is configured to analyze pet information and generate user data based on the pet information.

A control module that may be configured to detect animal activity of a pet at a waste pad, litter box, or feeding station. The control module comprises a sensor system having a camera. The control module is configured to analyze pet information and generate user data based on the pet information. Additionally, a mobile device is configured to detect animal activity within a field of view. The mobile device is configured to analyze pet information and generate user data based on the pet information.

A control module that may be configured to detect animal activity of a pet at a waste pad, litter box, or feeding station. The control module comprises a sensor system having a camera. The control module is configured to analyze pet information and generate user data based on the pet information. Additionally, a mobile device is configured to detect animal activity within a field of view. The mobile device is configured to analyze pet information and generate user data based on the pet information.