Kitties who "perch" on the box usually do so for a reason.  They are telling you something.   Cats can have funny quirks about the kind of litter they like.  My thought about trying another litter was along the lines of perhaps making Chami a bit more comfortable with the box, so that she would actually get in it. That would prevent more "box terrorism" incidents when you do have it plugged in.

I had actually started to look into new boxes when I saw that Chami felt hesitant to get in the ScoopFree after the little mistaken button incident.  But I was looking for a box that had flat ledges so that she would have the option to stand on it more easily, and during my research on it, it seemed that Chami had decided the box was safe again, since I turned it off and the rake never made noise.  There was also a little mat I had in front of the box (she did her little accident on this mat, and I noticed that after the accident, she would always scratch this mat before going in the box), so I took the mat away, and she seemed to think that solved the problem.

But there's no doubt that she dislikes the litter and doesn't want to get in it (the other 3 don't have a problem with it).  But this is really all she knows (I did try other silica beads - those are the only things that work in this litter box -- and she wouldn't use it) so I can't imagine what she might find acceptable, considering anything else I would get would be totally new to her.  But I wonder if it would be good to do?  I'd hate to think she's holding anything or feels bad in any way going to her bathroom.

I actually found a litter box that looks like a little toilet with places to put your feetsies.  You put litter inside it, like where water would be for a human toilet, so the cat never touches the litter.  It's supposed to be designed for the tiny Japanese apartments because it's quite compact.  But I read the reviews and it seems most of the kitties use it only for urinating.

Hmm.  Something to think about.  Thank you guys for your responses.

I did get another box, and it turned out to be so much easier to clean than that dang ScoopFree, that I decided to replace that, too.     We've been using the new boxes now for a little over a week, I think.

So now I've got one new box with paper litter (which is Chami's, and is placed over the area she had her accident -- she seems to be quite happy with it), and another new box placed where the ScoopFree was, with the old silica litter.


Anyway, Chami went to do #2 this morning, stood in her paper litter for a few moments and left without having done anything.  Then this evening, she went up to the boxes and looked at them both - right one, left one, right one, left one...... and she went into the one with silica to do her #2! 

I was kind of surprised.  I know some cats like to have one box for #1 and another box for #2.  But I'm thinking Chami was thinking, "Hmm.  This morning, this paper litter one didn't work for me, so I think I'll try the silica one tonight."  LOL.

I'm actually hoping to gradually change the silica one to paper, too, after they've really gotten used to the new box completely.  I hope Chami's decision to use the silica for her #2 today was just the box placement!