oh boy...you do have a problem.

First off - some cats will avoid the litterbox when they are ill or in pain. Some how they think if they feel pain while in the box, it must be the litterbox that is causing it - so avoid pain, go some place else. A vet check might be in order.

That being said, with so many cats in the house, it may be strictly behaviorial. you vet might be able to give you some guidance here too. You didn't mention how long your sister's cats have been in the house - from day one? or just recently? Siblings long separated will have no idea they are littermates - they are all just cats who have to jockey for position and territory in the house. Any spats between cats?

You can try feliway at the base of the steps. Its happy kitty phermones in a spray or wall diffuser. But it can take 30 days to really kick in with the cats and is best used in conjunction with another method like confinement/separation/feeding in the new "litterbox" area.

Or if Mittens is a high anxiety cat anyway, you might want to try Bach Rescue Remedy. It's a homopathic treatment which will calm down a anxiety/aggressively driven cat. (my Annie cat) A drop or two on the tongue is enough to effectively end any fighting for the day. If territory spats are driving the litterbox misses, it might be good to mellow everyone out.

Is there a rug at the bottom of the steps? Sometimes rubber backing on throw rugs can give off a scent that says "pee here! poop here!" to some cats.

And look where the boxes are placed. We have one box in our basement with the opening facing away from the stairs. Only top cat Lizzy uses it. My other two are too afraid of some one sneaking up on them while they are getting comfortable.

As always, keep the boxes really clean - Mittens may be a priss when it comes to sharing a bathroom. And if you think it's behavorial, try looking online. One of the vet schools (Tufts? Cornell?) has a call in service to animal behaviorlists. Could be useful if your vet isn't really up on feline speak and/or there are no behaviorlists to consult with in your area.

best of luck!

Purrs,
Elizabeth

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