Question about litter box training

OK, I've had several bouts of my Miss Scaredy Cat pee'ing outside the box. The first two rounds took place after moving both boxes to the basement, cured by putting one box back in its normal place upstairs. The third round took place over Thanksgiving weekend with a houseful of "strangers" and the poor kitties just freaked by all the commotion.

Since then, we've been playing a game. The jar of kitty treats sits on top of the box. Anytime we a kitty goes in the box, both kitties get a treat. Over time, this has both kitties practically falling over themselves to use the box and get a treat.

This seems like a good strategy. Am I missing any downside?

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Interestingly, I saw Scaredy Cat up on the sofa this week. I yelled "NO". Instead of slinking away, she came running upstairs to meow and rub against my leg as if to say, "I wasn't doing anything...."

Oh, and we've also been catching Scaredy Cat heading downstairs to use that box. Go figure! Cats....

Yep - there is one downside: Cats usually will not pee where they eat; so if the treats are on the top of the box, you are sending them huge mixed messages: Do not pee on the litter box!

Have you tried to change litters? What are you using for litter? My cat started to use my area rug to pee because it was more comfortable than the coarse pellet type litter I was using... Problem solved as soon as I changed the litter today! (from Feline Pine to Petco Brand Scoopable Litter )

Good point. So giving them a treat after coming out of the box is OK, but putting the treat jar on top of the box probably isn't. Makes sense. Thanks.

I really don't think it's a litter issue because all three bouts of problems have come after several weeks of using the box just fine.

I did have an "aha" moment tonight though. Reading the forum, it occured to me that all three bouts of peeing outside the box have come after a complete change of litter. Same brand of litter, but a new refill. Could be the missing scent of the used box or the strong scent of the fresh litter. Miss Scaredy Cat is no rocket scientist!

Originally Posted by hwc

Good point. So giving them a treat after coming out of the box is OK, but putting the treat jar on top of the box probably isn't. Makes sense. Thanks.

I really don't think it's a litter issue because all three bouts of problems have come after several weeks of using the box just fine.

I did have an "aha" moment tonight though. Reading the forum, it occured to me that all three bouts of peeing outside the box have come after a complete change of litter. Same brand of litter, but a new refill. Could be the missing scent of the used box or the strong scent of the fresh litter. Miss Scaredy Cat is no rocket scientist!

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Heh, Lucky was using her litter box perfectly for a whole month... then there was a cigarette incident, and she found out that the rug was way more comfortable than her litter... She would still poop in the litter, but was not peeing in there anymore... She loves the new litter.... It did the trick for me!