Cat litter problems

Question
We recently saved a cat. The owner, we were told moved. The cat is a Maine Coon, friendly. Spayed and front declaws. We took her to the vet and she has a clean bill of health.Our problem.
she has been here 6 weeks and continues to not do her business all the time in the box. WE have another cat and bought a new box for her. We are using Elsey's litter that is to attract cats. Sometimes she will go in the box, others she will poop in our tub. We don't know what else to do.
we also have a problem with her getting on the kitchen counters and use sticky tape and a horn blaster but she continues to do this bad behaviour.
I don't want to give up on her but my patience is running thin as whenever she goes into the box, we have a mess as she throws the litter everywhere or she doesn't use the box and I clean the bath tub up to 3 times a day.
Please help.

Answer
Hi Lyn,

How old is the cat that you had saved?

Being an adult cat, it would have a certain behaviour which you'll have to train it to de-learn and re-learn.

It appears that the association to use the litter tray was not strong enough. You can try behavioural training by putting it in the litter tray after it has eaten and allow it to leave the tray only it has done its business.

The reason that the litter was thrown everywhere is because she most probably jumps out of the tray after using it. Try to use a bigger box with a lid or don't put too much sand into the box. This will help to alleviate the problem.

Carrisa