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.

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 animal bedding includes a base textile material and a halo active aromatic sulfonamide compound of Formula (I):

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wherein the variables M.sub.2, X, and M are disclosed herein. The resulting animal bedding product maintains antimicrobial properties over extended time periods.

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.

Extruded granular sorbent formed of sorbent granules each being or including an extruded pellet containing water soluble binder sufficient to self-clump when wetted producing clumps of granules each having a clump retention rate of at least 90% and which shrink after clump formation during drying producing a nonstick clump that condenses pulling 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 cold water-soluble amylopectin binder that not only solubilizes when wetted to facilitate clumping but which also opens the interior of the pellet improving absorption capacity. Sorbent well suited for use as litter is formed of granules or pellets having sizes falling within a plurality of different size ranges with the smaller sized fines causing the clumps to form on top of the litter extending generally horizontally along the litter.

Loose particulate materials can be problematic in various aspects. For example, loose particulate materials may generate dust or be difficult to consolidate together. Fines in loose particulate materials may also be an issue. Coated particulates may alleviate some of the foregoing issues. Suitable coated particulates may comprise a particulate material comprising sand or a ceramic, and a polysaccharide composition coated upon the particulate material, the polysaccharide composition comprising a functionalized polysaccharide. Other particulate materials such as wood chips and animal litter particulates may be coated with functionalized polysaccharides to achieve similar advantages.

A bulk animal bedding material is presented comprising shredded and fiberized natural lignocellulosic material vigorously blended with a solvent and small grain particles (SGPs) to form twisted, curled, clumped, and rolled fibers with the SGPs integrated within and/or encasing said fibers.