Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Coir as an Alternative Cat Litter

Abstract

This research analyzes the effectiveness of Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Coir, Improved with lemon scent, as an alternative cat litter compared to conventional options. The study estimates its performance in moisture retention, absorption, odor control, clumping ability, and shelf life. Used a quantitative experimental design, observational checklist, a onesample t-test, and likert scale were used for data collection and analysis. The while maintaining sustainability and cost-effectiveness. This study provide to the development of eco-friendly cat litter solutions that reduce agricultural waste and promote sustainable practices.

Introduction

The study explored the potential of coconut coir with lemon scent as an eco-friendly alternative to commercial cat litter. Coconut coir, a byproduct of the coconut industry, was enhanced with lemon essential oil for odor control. Researchers prepared the coir into pellets and evaluated its performance based on color change, absorbency, moisture retention, texture, and clumping ability, using quantitative experimental methods and feedback from five experienced cat owners in Capas, Tarlac.

Key Findings:

• Color and Moisture Indicators:
  Coconut coir changes color from otter brown (dry) to black coffee (wet), helping users easily spot soiled areas. It retained moisture best at cooler temperatures (28–29°C), especially early in the morning.

• Odor Control and Absorbency:
  The lemon scent helped reduce bad odors. Coir absorbed cat feces effectively (significant at p = 0.015), but urine absorption was not significantly different from commercial litter (p = 0.118).

• Clumping and Texture:
  The clumping ability and texture of coir were similar to commercial cat litter, but no performance advantage was observed.

• User Feedback:
  Cat owners appreciated the color change and scent but noted no major improvement over traditional litter.

Conclusion

This study explored the effectiveness of coconut coir as an alternative cat litter, assessing its moisture absorption, odor control, clumping ability, and shelf life. Coconut cat litter varies in color, appearing dark brown when wet and lighter when dry. It\'s available in pellet or sand-like textures, each affecting absorption and clumping. The findings suggest that coconut coir offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternative to conventional cat litter. Utilizing coconut husks reduces agricultural waste and provides a low-cost production method for cat owners. The process involves collecting coconut husks, grating them to obtain coir, refining it through straining, and hand-molding (for pellets) followed by sun-drying. While timeconsuming, this method reduces both expenses and waste. Further research is needed to fully evaluate odor control, as this study only used coconut coir. Experimenting with added scents could enhance the litter\'s effectiveness and appeal. Overall, coconut coir cat litter presents a promising alternative to conventional litter, offering environmental benefits, cost savings, and sustainability.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Cunanan, Eliesah Mae S., Dolit, Santino L., Dueñas, Ariane Jean C., Gutierrez, Patricia Mae S., Martin, Lanz Raniel S, Basco, Kate S., Basco, Heidi Gail T., Guarin, Vi Briza E.. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.