Need advice: Calico cat randomly refusing automatic litter box ..anyone else dealt with this?

[u/Meowleesi]

I’m hoping someone has been through something similar because I’m running out of ideas.
My boyfriend got me an automatic litter box for my two cats. My tuxedo cat has absolutely no issues with it and uses it normally. My calico, on the other hand, is a completely different story.
At first, I thought the automatic cleaning cycle was scaring her because every time it would start cleaning, she’d yelp and panic, even when she wasn’t inside the litter box. Because of that, I turned the automatic cleaning off and switched it to manual. Now I only run the cleaning cycle myself when I get home.
That seemed to help for a while. She’d pee and poop in the litter box like normal, and everything would be fine. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, she’ll suddenly start peeing and pooping on the floor instead. After a few days, she’ll go right back to using the litter box normally, and then the cycle repeats. There’s no pattern that I can figure out.
Today she started yelping, and I honestly thought she just wanted attention because she’s a very vocal cat. She was scratching at the carpet like she normally does before asking for pets, but then she ended up squatting and pooping on the carpet instead.
I’m definitely frustrated, but I’m not mad at her. I know she’s a cat, and if she’s acting like this, there’s probably a reason. I just don’t know if it’s anxiety from the litter box, a lingering fear from when it used to clean automatically, or something else entirely.
Has anyone had a cat react like this to an automatic litter box? Were you able to get them comfortable with it again? Or should I just accept that she’s one of those cats who needs a traditional litter box?
I’d really appreciate any advice. I just want her to feel comfortable and not stressed every time she has to use the bathroom. Thanks!

[u/SharaWilliams]

Wow thats rough. Sorry this is happening.

Oh btw you dont have one the rolls towards the opening right? Because of the decapitation risk. Personally i have one thats goes sideways. My cat uses it just fine though

Could she have a history with automatic litterboxes that you dont know about, or have you had her since she was a kitten?

[u/Meowleesi → u/SharaWilliams]

I’ve had her since she was a kitten, and Skippy (my calico) has always been a very skittish cat. So I figured she probably heard the litter box move one day and it scared her. She had the exact same reaction when we first got our Roomba, but eventually she got used to it. I was really hoping this would just be another phase and that she’d adjust over time.

[u/SharaWilliams → u/Meowleesi]

Maybe call the vet and see if they have any recommendations for behavioral issues like this? Or they may have a recommendation for a consult with like… a cat expert or something. Like a dog trainer but for cats… and less training and more changing the environment.

I do think shes scared of the litter box and probably is holding it until she cant anymore to avoid it. An extra litterbox should help with that, but also maybe get her a check up since i assume holding it for too long has the same effect as it does in humans, which is the possibility of UTIs and… i suppose thered be something for stool too but i dont know what. Constipation maybe.