Reward-paired cues through pavlovian conditioning can impact instrumental reward-seeking behaviour in a key concept called pavlovian instrumental transfer (PIT). Three categories of transfer effects emerge from a PIT protocol using a full transfer paradigm. In the specific same condition, instrumental actions paired with the same reward as a cue are enhanced, while in the specific different transfer effect, there is a reduced instrumental response when this cue is paired with another outcome. Lastly, the expression of general transfer refers to the motivational effect of the cue to enhance lever presses that were not paired in the instrumental training. The present study attempted to replicate previous literature findings that used the full transfer paradigm. In two different experiments where male or female Lister-hooded rats performed the task, all possible PIT effects showed no statistically significant effects. Thus, a meta-analysis was used to quantify the effects of the three types of transfer in the literature and to find important protocol variables. Random effect meta-analysis models supported the positive increase in mean lever presses against a baseline for all transfer effects, with the different and general PIT comparison showing no statistically significant effect. However, Egger’s regression coefficient suggested a publication bias for the “same” and “different” effects. A following meta-regression found that rat strain, task order, extinction session and housing are important moderators. While the evidence requires further advancement, our findings provide insight into the usage and reliability of the full transfer paradigm to measure transfer effects in PIT.