A microbial composition for improving the conditions in animal farms comprising: a slow-releasing carrier base having a first predetermined percentage by weight (w/w %); and a mixture of microorganisms identified in a 16S rRNA gene sequence so that the composition is capable of denitrification, feces decomposition, and hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2S) oxidation.

An animal litter composition comprising 2-methylbut-2-enal is described for the modification and reduction of dominant behaviors in household animals.

Provided herein are animal litter compositions comprising wood particles activated carbon, and a clumping agent. The wood particles have a moisture content between 4% and 25%. The composition does not comprise wood particles with a moisture content outside the range of between 4% and 25%. The composition has a density between about 30 lbs./ft.sup.3 and about 45 lbs./ft.sup.3 and is essentially dust free. These animal litter compositions may be made by contacting wood particles with activated carbon and a clumping agent to form a mixture. The mixture is extruded the mixture into a densified material having a density between about 30 lbs./ft.sup.3 and about 45 lbs./ft.sup.3. The size of the densified material is reduced to between about 0.5 mm about 2 mm (US Mesh 16-US Mesh 6).

Litter formed of extruded pellets containing water soluble binder sufficient to self-clump when wetted producing pellet clumps having a clump retention rate of at least 90% and which shrink after clump formation during drying producing a clump pulls away from any contacting solid surface minimizing adhesion therebetween. Such clumps preferably also have a crush strength of at least 15 PSI when dry. Pellets preferably contain water-soluble binder formed of starch physically modified during extrusion that solubilizes when wetted to facilitate clumping while opening the interior of the pellet improving absorption capacity. A preferred litter is formed of a mixture of extruded pellets of different sizes producing litter composed of extruded pellets falling within a plurality of different size ranges with the smaller sized pellets being fines that cause horizontally extending clumps to form on top of the litter.

Method and coated lightweight granular absorbent formed of lightweight inner cores made of extruded pellets coated with powdered smectite, preferably bentonite, to form an outer sorbent smectite shell around each pellet producing lightweight sorbent granules where the pellets have sufficient water soluble binder to facilitate shell formation and clumping during sorbent use. When lightweight sorbent granules are wetted, clumps are formed that shrink during drying producing a clean, generally non-sticking clump having a high clump retention rate of at least 92% and/or a crush strength of at least 15 PSI. In a preferred method, the pellets are dried coated with dry powdered smectite before wetting using an atomizer or mister while turbulently directing air towards the pellets and powdered smectite to coat the pellets with the powdered smectite forming the outer sorbent shell while minimizing pellet shrinkage and densification. Such lightweight granular sorbent is well suited for use as litter.

Methods, platform and receptacles, such as a composting and retail platform facilitating multipurpose use of receptacles, characterized in that the platform manages cat litter sales, uses multipurpose receptacles for shipping of cat litter, for composting, and for an additional use when filled and readied for composting.

Antimicrobial and odor control animal-related material compositions used to form animal litter or bedding include a base material and a halo active aromatic sulfonamide compound of Formula (I):

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wherein the variables R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, X, and M are disclosed herein. The resulting animal litter or bedding maintain antimicrobial and odor-controlling properties over extended time periods.

A dog waste collecting system that is fully compostable or biodegradable, and fully sustainable. The system is made of a cardboard box, a biodegradable liner, an optional cardboard cell divider, an absorbent coconut layer and a retaining coconut fiber mat that keeps the absorbent layer in place. The absorbent coconut layer absorbs the dog waste fluids while the coconut fiber mat holds the dog waste solids for removal by the owner. Perforations in the box define a lid that is removed prior to use to expose the mat. The system, after a few weeks of use, can be directly discarded in whole, in the compost.

An excrement treatment material is composed of a large number of grains for treatment of excrement. The excrement treatment material includes a grain group. The grain group is composed of a plurality of grains before use that are mutually bonded, the plurality of grains being included in the large number of grains.

Method and coated lightweight granular absorbent formed of lightweight inner cores made of extruded pellets coated with powdered smectite, preferably bentonite, to form an outer sorbent smectite shell around each pellet producing lightweight sorbent granules where the pellets have sufficient water soluble binder to facilitate shell formation and clumping during sorbent use. When lightweight sorbent granules are wetted, clumps are formed that shrink during drying producing a clean, generally non-sticking clump having a high clump retention rate of at least 92% and/or a crush strength of at least 15 PSI. In a preferred method, the pellets are dried coated with dry powdered smectite before wetting using an atomizer or mister while turbulently directing air towards the pellets and powdered smectite to coat the pellets with the powdered smectite forming the outer sorbent shell while minimizing pellet shrinkage and densification. Such lightweight granular sorbent is well suited for use as litter.