Cat litter containing fluorescent cat attractant

Abstract

A cat litter comprising an absorbent and at least one fluorescent compound wherein the at least one fluorescent compound does not include cat urine wherein the at least one fluorescent compound attracts a cat to excrete in the cat litter. The cat litter comprises a solid particulate material coated with a cellulose solution comprising at least one fluorescent material.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63,406,785, filed September 15, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Statement Regarding Federally Funded Research

[0004] not applicable.

[0005] appendix

[0006] not applicable. Technical Field

[0007] The present disclosure generally relates to compositions, methods, and devices for using fluorescent compounds to attract cats to eliminate in litter boxes. Background Art

[0008] The cat litter box is used by cats to excrete urine and feces. There is a layer of cat litter in the cat litter box to collect urine and feces. Cat litter is granular and absorbent, and urine and feces tend to clump after being deposited in the cat litter. The clumps are usually sifted out of the cat litter box with a cat litter scoop and then discarded.

[0009] Indoor defecation, also known as inappropriate elimination or outside the bowl ("OOB"), is a significant behavioral issue facing pet owners. Indoor defecation is unacceptable to pet owners and can damage the human-pet relationship. This condition often results in cats being surrendered to shelters. Shelters know that it is difficult to find homes for cats with OOB issues, and such cats are often euthanized. In this regard, OOB elimination behavior actually causes more cat deaths than any other behavioral issue and many feline diseases.

[0010] Traditional methods of dealing with indoor defecation include changing cat litter every day, adding litter boxes, stopping punishing cats, and sterilizing cats. However, cat owners find that these methods have little effect.

[0011] Attractants are added to cat litter to attract cats to defecate in the litter. These attractants include pheromones, black currant oil, black seed oil, catnip, cat grass, chamomile, lavender, licorice, cassava, methyl lactone, 3-mercapto-3-methylbutan-1-ol, musk oil, mint oil, pine oil, rosemary, vanillin and white truffle oil. However, the effects of these attractants are limited. Therefore, there is still a need for an attractant to attract cats to defecate in cat litter.

[0012] Patent application WO2016 / 170475 relates to the use of cat pheromone precursor feline urinary acid (L-Felinine) to attract cats to defecate in cat litter, and the patent application is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Patent Publication US2021 / 0087161 discloses methods and uses of a composition containing 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol in pet cat litter, in particular for promoting pets to defecate in cat litter, and the patent application is incorporated herein by reference.

[0013] Cats are reportedly able to see blue light and ultraviolet (UV). They are unable to perceive red. Since many fluorescent compounds emit blue and UV light, cats are likely attracted to fluorescent compounds. When used in cat litter, these compounds can be used to attract cats to the litter.

[0014] None of the above references discloses the claimed cat litter having a fluorescent component to attract cats to defecate in the litter. Summary of the invention

[0015] The present invention is an improved cat litter comprising at least one absorbent material and at least one fluorescent compound, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound attracts cats to defecate in the cat litter. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one fluorescent compound is coated on at least part or all of the absorbent material.

[0016] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0018] The claimed pet litter comprises at least one absorbent material and at least one fluorescent compound. The absorbent material may be any absorbent material or a combination of absorbent materials commonly used in cat litters. Typically, the absorbent material is a dry granular material. Preferably, the absorbent material is selected from clay, silica gel, wood (e.g., pine, aspen, cypress, fir, spruce), agricultural products and combinations thereof. More preferably, the absorbent material is selected from clay, silica gel and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the absorbent material is clay, such as calcium or sodium montmorillonite (including sodium bentonite and calcium bentonite), montmorillonite, calcite (ventriculite), attapulgite, opal clay and / or kaolin. The absorbent material, in particular clay, may be agglomerated and / or non-agglomerated.

[0019] The at least one fluorescent compound of the present invention must be a compound that is harmless to cats or the environment. Fluorescent whitening agents, called optical brighteners, are fluorescent materials that can absorb ultraviolet light and emit visible light (blue-violet). They can also emit ultraviolet light when exposed to white light. Preferably, they are hydrophilic, water-soluble compounds, mainly anionic diaminostilbene (DAS) or distyrylbiphenyl (DSBP) derivatives, with low aquatic toxicity. The most common compounds with this property are stilbenes, such as 4,4'-diamino-2,2'-stilbene disulfonic acid and 4-(2H-naphtho[1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)-2-stilbene sulfonic acid sodium salt. The compounds 4,4'-bis(benzoxazolyl)-cis-stilbene and 2,2'-(2,5-thienyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole) also have strong fluorescence and can be used as fluorescent whitening agents.

[0020] Optionally, the coating solution comprises about 0 to 5 weight percent glycerin.

[0021] The at least one fluorescent compound of the present invention is not limited to fluorescent whitening agents, but it is well known that cat urine is a fluorescent substance, so the fluorescent compound of the present invention does not include cat urine.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the composition in the pet litter according to the present invention is coated on at least a portion of the absorbent material. For example, the composition can be sprayed on at least a portion of the absorbent material. In fact, it has been observed that the effect is similar regardless of the proportion of the absorbent material coated with the composition. Preferably, the composition in the pet litter according to the present invention is coated on at least 1% of the absorbent material. More preferably, the composition accounts for 1% to 55% by weight of the pet litter. Most preferably, the composition accounts for about 2% to 20% by weight of the pet litter. Typically, the coated absorbent contains about 0.01% to about 10.0% by weight of fluorescent material. More preferably, the amount of fluorescent material on the coated material is about 0.05% to 5.0% by weight. The amount of cellulose present in the coated absorbent is in the range of 0.01% to 10.0% by weight.

[0023] In another embodiment, the cat litter comprises a solid particulate material mixed with an absorbent material, the composition being coated onto a non-absorbent solid particulate material. For example, the fluorescent composition can be sprayed onto a solid particulate material such as sand, polymers and plastics to coat the particles, which are then mixed with the absorbent material.

[0024] Coatings can be applied in a variety of ways, including dipping and spraying. One coating method is to use a fluidized bed. A fluidized bed is formed when a quantity of solid particulate matter is placed under appropriate conditions so that the solid / fluid mixture behaves as a fluid. This is usually accomplished by introducing a pressurized fluid through the particulate medium. This results in the medium having many of the properties and characteristics of a normal fluid, such as the ability to flow freely under the influence of gravity, or the ability to be pumped using flow-type techniques.

[0025] In one embodiment, the coating can be applied in the form of dry coating. The dry powdered fluorescent material can be applied to the wetted solid particulate material, or applied to the solid particulate material in a viscous state to adhere to the solid particulate material. The method includes using a commercial coating roller, which rotates, rolls, vibrates and / or otherwise stirs the particles therein, wherein the outer surface of the particles is still viscous, thereby promoting the powder coating formulation to adhere to each particle. In a preferred method, after wetting the solid particulate material with an aqueous solution comprising cellulose ether, the dry powder is applied to the solid particulate material, and the cellulose ether acts as a glue to keep the dry powder on the particles.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the dry powder is applied to an absorbent material (e.g., cat litter). The cat litter must be wetted in a manner that facilitates coating with the dry powder but does not cause the cat litter to clump. The coating of the particles should be complete, with no significant gaps in the coating. In addition, it is desirable that the coating adheres after the cat litter dries and does not flake off. In addition, the coated cat litter must be similar in shape and density to avoid causing the coated cat litter to separate from the uncoated cat litter.

[0027] In a preferred coating application method, a coating formulation is applied using a liquid (e.g., water) and a pressurized gas (e.g., pressurized air), which not only helps to evaporate or atomize the coating formulation containing the liquid, but also helps to agitate or move the particles being coated in a drum, container, or housing (e.g., a commercial coating drum). In this preferred method of applying the coating formulation to uncoated particles, a fluorescent material is mixed with a liquid (e.g., water), which can be sprayed from a nozzle into a housing (e.g., a drum or other container) containing the particles along with compressed air, which helps to agitate the particles and coat the particles with minimal interference or damage during the coating process. During this coating step, the drum or container in which the particles are placed is preferably rotated, vibrated, or otherwise agitated to help facilitate coating of each particle.

[0028] The at least one fluorescent material may be applied to the particles in liquid form, preferably using a cellulose ether solution or slurry to adhere the coating to the particles. Preferably, the cellulose ether is a water-soluble cellulose ether. Non-limiting examples of water-soluble cellulose ethers include carboxyl-C 1 -C 3-alkylcellulose, such as carboxymethylcellulose; carboxy-C 1 -C 3 -alkylhydroxy-C 1 -C 3 - alkylcellulose, such as carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose; 1 -C 3 - alkylcellulose, such as methylcellulose; C 1 -C 3 -alkylhydroxy-C 1-3 -alkylcellulose, such as hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) or ethylhydroxyethylcellulose; hydroxy-C 1-3 -alkylcelluloses, such as hydroxyethylcellulose or hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC); mixed hydroxy-C 1 -C 3 - Alkyl celluloses, such as hydroxyethyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, mixed C 1 -C 3 - Alkylcelluloses, such as methylethylcellulose, or alkoxyhydroxyethylhydroxypropylcelluloses, wherein the alkoxy group is linear or branched and contains 2 to 8 carbon atoms. The most preferred coatings are selected from HPC and / or HPMC.

[0029] Non-cellulosic coatings, such as polyvinyl pyridine, are also suitable for applying fluorescent materials.

[0030] The coating can be applied as a solution or suspension. The method of preparing the coating solution varies, depending on the solvent used to prepare the coating solution. To prepare a hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) solution (available from Ashland Company as KLUCEL TM commercially available) or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (available from Dow Chemical Company as YPROMELLOSE TM Commercially available), preparing an aqueous solution is generally a two-step process. Granular HPC or HPMC is dispersed in water. After dispersion, the HPC or HPMC dissolves and forms a solution. The at least one fluorescent compound is added to the aqueous solution. For both HPC and HPMC, cellulose is easily dissolved in polar solvents (e.g., alcohols). In a reference embodiment, the coating solution is applied to the solid absorbent in a range of 1:3 to 1:30. More preferably, the coating solution is added to the solid absorbent in a range of 1:4 to 1:25.

[0031] The preferred concentration range of the cellulose ester in the solution or suspension is about 1 to 20 weight percent. The preferred cellulose ester for this coating is HPC, which provides an effective coating, good adhesion, and good drying.

[0032] Embodiment of the hydroxypropyl cellulose coating solution of the present invention

[0033] The base hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) solution for dry coating was prepared as follows:

[0034]

[0035] Preparation method of HPC solution:

[0036] 1. Pour glycerin into a silicone bowl.

[0037] 2. Stir the HPC slowly.

[0038] 3. Stir vigorously for 1 minute.

[0039] 4. Add water and stir vigorously.

[0040] 5. Stir vigorously for 5 minutes.

[0041] Example 1: Dry coating fluorescent brightener powder application

[0042] Fluorescent whitening agent dry powder is KEYFLUOR sold by Millikin TM WHITE OB. The fluorescent compound present in the optical brightener is 2,2'-(2,5-thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole), cas#7128-64-5, which is insoluble in water. It is applied as a dry powder. The standard method of application by atomizing the HPC coating in a coating drum is to layer the optical brightener powder with the HPC coating. The HPC solution wets the absorbent particles, allowing the brightener dry powder to adhere and coat. To achieve this, the process starts with:

[0043] Step (1), continuously operating the coating drum at room temperature, using an atomizer in the coating drum to spray enough HPC solution onto the absorbent material to slightly wet the absorbent material. The absorbent material used is Unscented, premium clumping all-natural clay cat litter. It has an extremely low dust content. It is made from pure natural clay and does not contain any chemical additives.

[0044] Step (2), immediately add a relatively small amount of fluorescent whitening agent powder to the wetted absorbent material in the coating bowl.

[0045] Step (3), spraying sufficient HPC solution onto the wetted absorbent and powder to allow the powder to adhere.

[0046] Step (4), partially drying the solution.

[0047] Step (5): Repeat steps (2) to (4) until all the fluorescent whitening agent powder is added.

[0048] Step (6), quickly add the remaining solution and heat as needed to dry the coating and complete the coating and capture any remaining powder.

[0049] Example 1: Application of dry coating fluorescent brightener powder

[0050] BOXIECAT Coated Cat Litter - 1.78% Fluorescent Brightener

[0051]

[0052] Example 1 - Results

[0053] Coated litter has no lumps. It is coated evenly and its shape and size remain essentially the same. The coating adheres after it dries and does not flake off. The coated product glows evenly under UV light.

[0054] Example 2: Wet coating procedure:

[0055] The procedure uses a water-soluble fluorescent brightener, Pylaklor White S-15A, which can be dissolved in the coating solution and applied as a liquid. Pylaklor White S-15A is manufactured by Pylam Dyes and contains 4-(2H-naphtho[1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)-2-stilbenesulfonic acid sodium salt. The coating solution must be low enough in viscosity to be atomized and sprayed onto the solid particles. It must also contain enough cellulose to create tack and allow the coating to adhere to the particles when drying. It must contain enough fluorescent brightener to be detectable under ultraviolet light.

[0056]

[0057]

[0058]

[0059] Example 2 Method for preparing the coating solutions of Examples 2, 2A and 2B:

[0060] 1. Pour glycerin into a silicone bowl.

[0061] 2. Add Klucel HPC and Pylaklor fluorescent brightener and stir to form a mixture.

[0062] 3. Stir the mixture vigorously for 1 minute.

[0063] 4. Stir the water vigorously into the mixture.

[0064] 5. Stir the mixture vigorously for 5 minutes to form a coating solution.

[0065] Example 2 Procedure for applying the coating solution to the absorbent material:

[0066]

[0067] Example 2 Procedure: Applying Coating Solution to Absorbent Cat Litter:

[0068] The coating solution must be added slowly and carefully to avoid forming clumping coated litter.

[0069] Step (1), continuously running the coating drum at room temperature, using an atomizer to distribute enough coating solution onto the absorbent material to slightly wet the absorbent material. In a preferred method, about 1 to 10 weight percent of the coating solution is applied each time. The cat litter is carefully watched to avoid over-wetting and causing caking.

[0070] Step (2), allow sufficient time for the coating solution to dry, usually about 0.3 to 3.0 minutes.

[0071] Step (3), repeat steps (1) to (2) until all the coating solution is added.

[0072] Step (4), heating as needed to dry the coating and complete the coating.

[0073] An alternative to the intermittent method described above is to add the coating solution very slowly and continuously. One way to speed up the process is to add heat with a blower or other heat source.

[0074] Example 2 Results:

[0075] The granular cat litter coated with the coating solution did not clump but flowed freely and was about the same size and shape as the uncoated cat litter. When ultraviolet light was irradiated, it mixed well with the uncoated cat litter and glowed. The final coated product contained about 0.20% by weight of the fluorescent material.

[0076] Example 3 - Coating absorbent - BOXIECAT

[0077] Coating solution Example 2A was applied to BOXIECAT cat litter absorbent according to the Example 2 procedure, adding the coating solution to the absorbent as follows:

[0078] Coating solution Example 2A: 400.0 g

[0079] Absorbent, BOXIECAT cat litter: 4000.0g

[0080] Absorbent / Coating Solution: 10

[0081] The result: the coated litter is granular and does not clump. When ultraviolet light shines on the litter, it glows.

[0082] Example 4 - Coating absorbent - BOXIECAT

[0083] Coating solution Example 2A was applied to BOXIECAT cat litter absorbent according to the Example 2 procedure, adding the coating solution to the absorbent as follows:

[0084] Coating solution Example 2A: 200.0 g

[0085] Absorbent, BOXIECAT cat litter: 4147.0g

[0086] Absorbent / Coating Solution: 20.7

[0087] The result: the coated litter is granular and does not clump. When ultraviolet light shines on the litter, it glows.

[0088] Example 5 - Coating absorbent - BOXIECAT

[0089] The coating solution of Example 2B was applied to the BOXIECAT cat litter absorbent according to the procedure of Example 2, adding the coating solution to the absorbent as follows:

[0090] Coating solution Example 2A: 600.0 g

[0091] Absorbent, BOXIECAT cat litter: 4000.0g

[0092] Absorbent / Coating Solution: 6.7

[0093] The result: the coated litter is granular and does not clump. When ultraviolet light shines on the litter, it glows.

[0094] Example 6 - Mixing Coated Absorbent with Uncoated Absorbent - BOXIECAT

[0095] The coated cat litter of Example 5 was mixed with BOXIECAT cat litter (uncoated) as follows:

[0096] Coated BOXIECAT cat litter Example 5: 720.0 g

[0097] Uncoated BOXIECAT cat litter: 3279.0g

[0098] Uncoated / Coated: 4.55

[0099] The two litters were dry mixed in the coating drum for about 10 minutes and checked for uniform mixing. When the mixture was illuminated with UV light, the coated particles glowed. The materials did not separate but remained uniformly mixed.

[0100] Example 7 - Mixing Coated Absorbent with Uncoated Absorbent - BOXIECAT

[0101] The coated cat litter of Example 4 was mixed with BOXIECAT cat litter (uncoated) as follows:

[0102] Coated BOXIECAT cat litter Example 5: 1440.0 g - 18%

[0103] Uncoated BOXIECAT cat litter: 6560.0.0g - 82%

[0104] Uncoated / Coated: 4.56

[0105] The two litters were dry mixed in the coating drum for about 10 minutes and checked for uniform mixing. When the mixture was illuminated with UV light, the coated particles glowed. The materials did not separate but remained uniformly mixed.

[0106] Example 8 - Coating of Sand

[0107] The coating solution of Example 2B was applied to untreated sand following the procedure of Example 2, adding the coating solution to the absorbent as follows:

[0108] Coating solution Example 2B: 74.98 g

[0109] Sand: 500.0g

[0110] Sand / Coating Solution: 6.67

[0111] Result: The sand is coated.

[0112] Example 9 - Coated Granular Zeolite

[0113] The zeolite is coated using the coating solution of the present invention.

[0114] The coated zeolite was mixed with BOXIECAT cat litter, 1 / 20 mixture.

[0115] Example 10 - Coating absorbent - SmartCat

[0116] The coating solution of Example 2B was applied to Smartcat TM All-Natural Clumping Cat Litter, a chemical-free, biodegradable cat litter made from 100% U.S.-farmed grass, is sold by Pioneer Pet / Smartcat.

[0117] The procedure followed was that of Example 2, with the coating solution being added to the absorbent as follows:

[0118] Coating solution Example 2A: 40.6 g

[0119] Absorbent, BOXIECAT cat litter: 500.0g

[0120] Absorbent / Coating Solution: 12.3

[0121] Result: The cat litter is coated.

[0122] Example 11 - Mixing Coated and Uncoated Absorbents - Smartcat

[0123] The coated cat litter of Example 10 was mixed with Boxie cat litter (uncoated) as follows:

[0124] Coated Smartcat Cat Litter Example 10: 816.5 g - 18%

[0125] Uncoated BOXIECAT cat litter: 3719.4g - 82%

[0126] Uncoated / Coated: 4.56

[0127] Result: The mixture separated.

[0128] Example 12 - Coated absorbent - Ultrafine crystal cat litter TM

[0129] The coating solution of Example 2B was applied to microcrystalline cat litter (a type of silica gel cat litter).

[0130] The procedure followed was that of Example 2, with the coating solution being added to the absorbent as follows:

[0131] Coating solution Example 2B: 150 g

[0132] Absorbent, BOXIECAT cat litter: 1000.0g

[0133] Absorbent / Coating Solution: 6.7

[0134] Results: The coated litter had no lumps and was evenly coated.

[0135] Example 13 - Mixing Coated and Uncoated Absorbents - Ultrafine Crystals

[0136] The coated cat litter of Example 12 was mixed with Boxie cat litter (uncoated) as follows:

[0137] Coated ultrafine crystals: 5 wt%

[0138] BOXIECAT uncoated: 95 wt%

[0139] Absorbent / Coated absorbent: 19

[0140] The result: When ultraviolet light hits the coated particles in the litter mix, they glow.

[0141] In addition to at least one fluorescent compound, the present invention also includes other additives, such as antibacterial and antifungal agents suitable for cat litter products. Such additional additives are disclosed in US9266089, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0142] These embodiments are selected and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to those skilled in the art. Since various modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding figures, without departing from the scope of the present invention, all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not restrictive. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cat litter having cat attracting properties, comprising at least one dry solid absorbent and at least one fluorescent compound, wherein the at least one fluorescent compound does not include cat urine.

2. The cat litter according to claim 1, in, The at least one fluorescent compound includes an anionic diaminostilbene (DAS) or distyrylbiphenyl (DSBP) derivative.

3. Cat litter according to claim 2, in, The at least one fluorescent agent is selected from the group consisting of 2,2'-(2,5-thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole), 4-(2H-naphtho[1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)-2-bisstilbene sulfonate sodium salt, 4,4'-bis(benzoxazolyl)-cis-stilbene, 2,2'-(2,5-thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole), and combinations thereof.

4. The cat litter according to claim 1, in, The absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of clay, silica gel, wood, agricultural products, and combinations thereof.

5. A method of making a cat litter having cat attracting properties comprising coating a dry granular material, the method The following steps are involved: (a) dispensing a cellulose solution onto a dry particulate material to slightly wet the material; (b) immediately adding a small amount of dry fluorescent compound to the wetted material; (c) spraying the cellulose solution onto the wetted material and the dry fluorescent compound to adhere the dry fluorescent compound to the wetted material; (d) partially drying the cellulose solution; (e) repeating steps (b) to (d) until all the dry fluorescent compound is added; as well as (f) adding the remaining cellulose solution and heating the coating to produce cat litter.

6. The method for making cat litter according to claim 1, in, The dry particulate material is the absorbent material.

7. The method for making cat litter according to claim 6, in, The cellulose solution is a hydroxypropyl cellulose solution.

8. The method according to claim 7, in, The fluorescent material is selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-(2,5-thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole) and 4-(2H-naphtho[1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)-2-bisstilbenesulfonic acid sodium salt.

9. A method of making a cat litter having cat attractant properties comprising coating a dry granular material, the method comprising; Slowly add the coating solution to the dry particulate material to slightly wet the material; in, Dry granular material is moistened but not agglomerated; as well as wherein the coating solution comprises a fluorescent compound; Repeat as necessary until the granular material is completely coated; drying the coated particulate material; wherein the coated dry particulate material does not agglomerate; Wherein, the coated dry granular material is cat litter.

10. The method according to claim 9, in, The coating solution includes a cellulose solution.

11. The method according to claim 10, in, The cellulose solution is a hydroxypropyl cellulose solution.

12. The method for making cat litter according to claim 9, in, The dry particulate material is the absorbent material.

13. The method according to claim 12, in, The absorbent material is selected from the group consisting of clay, silica gel, wood, agricultural products, and combinations thereof.

14. The method according to claim 9, in, The fluorescent material is selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-(2,5-thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole) and 4-(2H-naphtho[1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)-2-bisstilbenesulfonic acid sodium salt.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: include: in, The coating solution and solid absorbent are applied in the range of 1:3 to 1:30; wherein the coating solution comprises 1 to 20 wt % of hydroxypropyl cellulose; and The coating solution contains about 0 to 5 weight percent glycerin.

16. A coated cat litter comprising a dry particulate material having a coating comprising at least one fluorescent compound; in, The cat litter is completely coated with the compound; wherein the coating comprises a cellulosic material; wherein the coating is adhered to the dry particulate material; and Therein, the coated particulate material does not agglomerate together.

17. The coated cat litter according to claim 16, in, The dry particulate material is selected from the group consisting of clay, silica gel, wood, agricultural products, and combinations thereof; wherein the cellulosic material is hydroxypropyl cellulose; and Wherein, the at least one fluorescent compound is selected from the group consisting of 2,2'-(2,5-thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole), 4-(2H-naphtho[1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)-2-bisstilbene sulfonate sodium salt, 4,4'-bis(benzoxazolyl)-cis-stilbene, 2,2'-(2,5-thiophenediyl)-bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole) and combinations thereof.

18. The coated cat litter according to claim 17, in, The amount of hydroxypropyl cellulose in the cat litter is in the range of 0.01 to 10.0 wt %, and the amount of the fluorescent compound is in the range of about 0.01 to 10.0 wt %.

19. The coated cat litter according to claim 18, in, The coated cat litter is mixed with a dry absorbent material to make a mixed cat litter.

20. The coated cat litter according to claim 15, in, Dry particulate material is a non-absorbent material.

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