A water diffuser is configured to extend from the discharge outlet of a pet fountain and to receive water from the outlet of the pet fountain's water pump. The the diffuser includes a perforate tubular diffuser section that can be releasably coupled or otherwise anchored to part of the fountain by a connecting or coupling section that may be tubular and imperforate. The diffuser can include an insert disposed within the diffuser that is dispensed or released into water flowing through the diffuser. The diffuser may also include a filter for removing contaminants from water flowing through the water. Where used together with an insert, the filter can be disposed within the diffuser upstream of the water treatment for filtering water flowing through the diffuser before treating the flowing water.

A bowl is attached to a drip irrigation system at an emitter, so that the bowl can be filled with water in an automated fashion. using the control timer and solenoid valves of the existing irrigation system. The emitter has a stem and a head. The stem extends through a hole in the sidewall of the bowl so that the head rests against the sidewall of the bowl. Preferably the head is flush with the sidewall of the bowl and forms a water-tight seal with the sidewall of the bowl. Drip irrigation tubing is attached to the stem of the emitter and connected to the drip irrigation system. A through-hole runs through the emitter to permit water to flow from the drip irrigation tubing through the stem and head into the bowl. An in-line valve between the water source and the emitter improves control of the water through the emitter.

A bowl is attached to a drip irrigation system at an emitter, so that the bowl can be filled with water in an automated fashion. using the control timer and solenoid valves of the existing irrigation system. The emitter has a stem and a head. The stem extends through a hole in the sidewall of the bowl so that the head rests against the sidewall of the bowl. Preferably the head is flush with the sidewall of the bowl and forms a water-tight seal with the sidewall of the bowl. Drip irrigation tubing is attached to the stem of the emitter and connected to the drip irrigation system. A through-hole runs through the emitter to permit water to flow from the drip irrigation tubing through the stem and head into the bowl. An in-line valve between the water source and the emitter improves control of the water through the emitter.

Livestock may be managed by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In particular implementations, the properties of water may be monitored by automated techniques and treated water may be provided to animals. In certain implementations, sick, or potentially sick, livestock may be provided with treated water to improve their health. The automated techniques may include monitoring the movements and/or water consumption of the livestock and predicting which ones may be sick based on their movements and/or water consumption. In some implementations, a water trough may contain multiple segments. The water properties in the segments may be maintained at different states.

Livestock may be managed by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In particular implementations, the properties of water may be monitored by automated techniques and treated water may be provided to animals. In certain implementations, sick, or potentially sick, livestock may be provided with treated water to improve their health. The automated techniques may include monitoring the movements and/or water consumption of the livestock and predicting which ones may be sick based on their movements and/or water consumption. In some implementations, a water trough may contain multiple segments. The water properties in the segments may be maintained at different states.

Probiotic compositions that comprise one or more bacteria species in spore form, a thickener to form a stabilized suspension and to preferably act as a prebiotic, one or more acids or salts of acids, and optionally a water activity reducer. A system for delivering probiotic compositions by gravity feed or non-contact pump to a point of consumption by a plant or animal, preferably in conjunction with acidified drinking water, comprising a collapsible container with attachable tubing that prevent contamination of the probiotic composition within the container. Delivery may be actuated in response to a timer, motion detector, fluid level sensor, RFID tag, or other mechanism to periodically or continuously dispense a dosage of probiotic composition directly to the soil surrounding a plant or to the water or feed for an animal. A method for increasing beneficial bacteria in an animal's GIT comprises adding probiotics to acidified drinking water.

Probiotic compositions that comprise one or more bacteria species in spore form, a thickener to form a stabilized suspension and to preferably act as a prebiotic, one or more acids or salts of acids, and optionally a water activity reducer. A system for delivering probiotic compositions by gravity feed or non-contact pump to a point of consumption by a plant or animal, preferably in conjunction with acidified drinking water, comprising a collapsible container with attachable tubing that prevent contamination of the probiotic composition within the container. Delivery may be actuated in response to a timer, motion detector, fluid level sensor, RFID tag, or other mechanism to periodically or continuously dispense a dosage of probiotic composition directly to the soil surrounding a plant or to the water or feed for an animal. A method for increasing beneficial bacteria in an animal's GIT comprises adding probiotics to acidified drinking water.

An automatic animal food dispensing apparatus comprises a stationary horizontal-axis tubular casing with aligned upper and lower apertures; a rotatable food dispenser having a tubular circumferential wall formed with a single aperture that is coaxial with the casing! a hopper from which animal food is gravitationally deliverable to the food dispenser; an inclined chute extending downwardly from the food dispenser, for receiving the food discharged from the food dispenser and for directing the discharged food to a bowl; and a force transmitting unit for rotating the food dispenser a predetermined and repeatable angular distance, such that a dose of the food is introducible from the hopper into the food dispenser when the aperture of the food dispenser is aligned with the upper aperture of the casing and the dose of food is completely dispensable via the lower casing aperture following rotation of the food dispenser by the predetermined angular distance.

A system for delivering molecular iodine or other substance into a pet's drinking water on a daily basis without exceeding the safe amount allowed for the pet. The system delivers a particular amount of molecular iodine into the pet water supply to achieve maximum benefit of I.sub.2 to reduce or eliminate bad pet breath and minimize total iodine in the pet diet so that 20-40 g/mL/Kg/day iodine is consumed for optimum thyroid health. The preferred method is to use a solution created by dissolving iodine crystals in absolute ethanol. The iodine will only be in solution as I.sub.2 for a short time as it undergoes out gassing and hydrolysis at neutral pH. The present invention removes the iodine from the drinking water after the pet drinks. Therefore, during the day, pets will get no additional iodineonly fresh water. Each enrolled pet is electronically recognized by the system.

A system for delivering molecular iodine or other substance into a pet's drinking water on a daily basis without exceeding the safe amount allowed for the pet. The system delivers a particular amount of molecular iodine into the pet water supply to achieve maximum benefit of I.sub.2 to reduce or eliminate bad pet breath and minimize total iodine in the pet diet so that 20-40 g/mL/Kg/day iodine is consumed for optimum thyroid health. The preferred method is to use a solution created by dissolving iodine crystals in absolute ethanol. The iodine will only be in solution as I.sub.2 for a short time as it undergoes out gassing and hydrolysis at neutral pH. The present invention removes the iodine from the drinking water after the pet drinks. Therefore, during the day, pets will get no additional iodineonly fresh water. Each enrolled pet is electronically recognized by the system.