part of the reason I focused on the behavioral is because a cat hunkered down in the litterbox is a "bunker" mentality. Without being stressed over something, Mittens wouldn't want to stay someplace so stinky. By being surrounded by such strong cat smell (poop denotes territory) you can think of Mittens as a slightly crazy person saying, "mine, mine, mine, mine..."

To a cat's point of view, the base of the steps and the fireplace may be prime spots to announce to the feline world, "I'm here! my territory! deal with me!" Afterall, everyone has to go over the poop to walk the steps and a fireplace can be a great spot for viewing a large portion of territory. We keep things away from the front of a fireplace for safety reasons but it's giving the cats a great line of sight for who moves where through the room. Mittens is announcing to the feline world what he thinks.

Have you thought of closing Mittens up in a single room? Madame Alto's suggestion of a little kitty prozac sounds like a really solid one in this case. Try working with your vet - let them know this is a make or break issue for Mittens and your family.

Cats don't have to be spatting to be ticked at one another. It can be as subtle as an ear twitch or a tail swish. The cats get it, we usually don't.

best of luck!

Purrs,
Elizabeth

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