Absorbent pad for use with animal caging systems

A fluid absorbent pad assembly for use in an animal cage, the fluid absorbent pad assembly comprising:

• a housing dimensioned to be received in an animal cage, the housing forming a relatively rigid fluid permeable platform capable of supporting at least cine animal thereon, and
• a fluid absorbent pad received beneath the platform, the pad having a fluid absorbent material,
• the fluid absorbent material expanding upon absorbing fluid to lift the platform from a first height to a second height greater than the first height.

(canceled)

An animal cage assembly comprising:

• an animal cage having an interior configured to house at least one animal;
• and
• a fluid absorbent material disposed in the cage beneath any animals housed in the cage, wherein the fluid absorbent material expands upon absorbing fluid from a first height to a second height greater than the first height, wherein the fluid absorbent material is loose in the cage and supports any animals in the cage either directly or indirectly via an intervening layer of a bedding material.

An animal cage assembly comprising:

• an animal cage having an interior configured to house at least one animal;
• and
• a fluid absorbent material disposed in the cage beneath any animals housed in the cage, wherein the fluid absorbent material expands upon absorbing fluid from a first height to a second height greater than the first height, and further comprising a relatively rigid fluid permeable animal support structure positioned in the cage above the fluid absorbent material.

27-30. (canceled)

(canceled)