UNITED STATES
                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                        WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                               FORM 8-K

                            CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)         OCTOBER 8, 2004
                                                      --------------------

                    OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
        (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         DELAWARE                    0-8675              36-2048898
- ---------------------------     ------------------     ----------------
     (State or other            (Commission File        (IRS Employer
     jurisdiction of                 Number)           Identification
      incorporation)                                        No.)

     410 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
             SUITE 400
         CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                                  60611-4213
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  (Address of principal executive                           (Zip Code)
              offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code     (312) 321-1515
                                                    ----------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the  appropriate  box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing  obligation of the registrant  under
any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[  ]   Written   communications   pursuant   to  Rule  425   under  the
       Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]    Soliciting  material  pursuant to Rule 14a-12  under the  Exchange
       Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]   Pre-commencement   communications   pursuant  to  Rule  14d-2(b)
       under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ]   Pre-commencement   communications   pursuant  to  Rule  13e-4(c)
       under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 5.02  DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF
           DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS.

(a) Not applicable.

(b) In connection with the appointment of Andrew N. Peterson as Vice
    President and Chief Financial Officer of Oil-Dri Corporation of
    America (the "Registrant"), discussed in Item 5.02(c) below, the
    Registrant terminated Jeffrey M. Libert from that position on
    October 8, 2004.  Mr. Libert remains an employee of the Registrant.

(c) The Registrant appointed Andrew N. Peterson as Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer on October 8, 2004, replacing Jeffrey M.
    Libert.  Mr. Peterson, who is 52 years old, joins the Registrant
    from Barjan Products, LLC, a consumer products manufacturing and
    distribution company, where he served as Chief Financial Officer
    and Vice President, Operations.  Prior thereto, Mr. Peterson had
    served from 2000 to 2002 as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief
    Operating Officer of Cognitive Concepts, Inc. (an early literacy
    software developer) and from 1999 to 2000 as the Chief Financial
    Officer of PCQuote.com (an Internet-based provider of trading
    markets information and tools).  Mr. Peterson began his business
    career with Duplex Products, Inc. (a printing manufacturing and
    distribution company), where he held positions of increasing
    responsibility over a 16-year tenure, culminating with the
    position of Chief Financial Officer.

    Mr. Peterson holds a B.S. in Accounting and Finance and an M.B.A.
    from Northern Illinois University.  He is a Certified Public
    Accountant in Illinois.

(d) Not applicable.

ITEM 9.01  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(a) None.

(b) None.

(c) Exhibits:

Exhibit
Number                        Description of Exhibits
- --------        ---------------------------------------------------

   99.1         Press Release of Registrant dated October 12, 2004.

                              SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                          OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA

                          By: /s/  Charles P. Brissman
                              --------------------------------
                              Charles P. Brissman
                              Vice President and General Counsel

Date: October 12, 2004

                             Exhibit Index

Exhibit
Number                        Description of Exhibits
- -------         ----------------------------------------------------

   99.1         Press Release of Registrant dated October 12, 2004.

                                         Exhibit  99.1

RELEASE:   Immediate                     CONTACT:  Kathy Arford
                                                   312-706-3274

   ANDREW N. PETERSON JOINS OIL-DRI AS VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
                         FINANCIAL OFFICER

CHICAGO - October 12, 2004 - Oil-Dri Corporation of America
(NYSE: ODC) announced today that Andrew N. Peterson has joined
the company as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

"With the company's strategic focus on operational excellence,
Oil-Dri is relying on the leadership of the CFO more than ever,"
said Daniel S. Jaffee, President and Chief Executive Officer. "I
am pleased to have Andy join our team. He brings more than 25
years of financial and operating experience to Oil-Dri."

Most recently, Peterson was CFO with responsibility for
operations at Barjan Products, LLC, a multi-location distributor
to travel centers and mass merchandisers. He also held several
positions, including CFO, for eight of his 16 years with Duplex
Products, Inc., a publicly held printing company with $300
million in revenue.

Peterson, 52, is a Certified Public Accountant and earned his
undergraduate and MBA degrees from Northern Illinois University.

"With his strong leadership skills and experience in companies
with significant growth, Andy will be an excellent fit for
Oil-Dri," added Jaffee. "We look forward to his contribution to
our team. This move demonstrates Oil-Dri's continued commitment
to growth and excellence.

"The Board and I want to express our gratitude to Jeffrey M.
Libert, Peterson's predecessor," said Jaffee. "He is handing over
the reins at a time when our balance sheet is very strong and our
income statement is heading in the right direction.  It is our
sincere hope that together we will carve out new responsibilities
that are meaningful for him and the company."

                                ###

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Oil-Dri Corporation of America is the world's largest
manufacturer of cat litter and a leading supplier of specialty
sorbent products for industrial, automotive, agricultural,
horticultural and specialty markets.

This release contains certain forward-looking statements
regarding the company's expected performance for future periods,
and actual results for such periods might materially differ.
Such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties
which include, but are not limited to, competitive factors in the
consumer market; the level of success in implementation of price
increases and surcharges; changes in overall agricultural demand;
changes in the market conditions, the overall economy, energy
prices, and other factors detailed from time to time in the
company's annual report and other reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.