Abstract: An absorbent composition is manufactured and used in cat litter. The composition includes: a particulate inorganic mineral, one or more superabsorbent polymers (SAP) dispersed between the particles of the mineral, and a hydrophilic binder capable of binding the mineral and the SAP into discrete granules. The granular material produced has water absorbency characteristics comparable to that of more expensive bentonite-products. The mineral may be waste quarry fines that would otherwise have to be disposed of. Such fines are widely available, in contrast to bentonite that must be shipped from a restricted number of locations, which is environmentally damaging and associated with excessive product miles. The granules can be made by mixing the mineral and the super absorbent polymer to form a slurry, draining the water from the slurry and optionally pressing the resulting filter cake, mixing the binder with the wet filter cake and granulating the resulting composition.