Abstract: A clumping animal litter utilizing the interparticle interaction of a swelling clay, such as sodium bentonite, in combination with a non-swelling clay material. Preferably, sixty percent (60%) by weight, or less, composition of sodium bentonite is used after the judicious selection of particle size distribution such that the mean particle size of the non-swelling clay material is greater than the mean particle size of the sodium bentonite. In addition, an organic clumping agent, such as a pregelatinized corn starch can be combined with the sodium bentonite/clay mixture to enhance clumping properties.

Abstract: An improved, fast-clumping animal litter which substantially immediately upon wetting with aqueous liquid forms a clump of durable clump strength for removal from the unwetted litter substantially immediately or within hours. The inventive animal litter includes particulate non-swelling clay, swelling clay and starch. A preferred animal litter utilizes pregelatinized corn starch at relatively low amount which surprisingly permits decreasing the amount of swelling clay below the minimum amount conventionally required for autogenous clumping clay litters.