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the box, revert that change and see if the issue is resolved.

3 - Something has changed about the environment

Are you in a new home? Is there new furniture, a new pet, or a new person in your life? Cats are highly territorial and possessive creatures. They often don't deal well with changes in their environment. If you move, they may wander around yowling as though wondering who stole their house. A new piece of furniture might seem scary. How a cat reacts to change, and the anxiety they experience, is highly individual. While some cats are nearly imperturbable, others are thrown for a loop simply because the gardener walked too close to the window today.

If you can't think of anything obvious, bear in mind how sensitive a cat's nose and ears are. Perhaps the box is close to the window and the neighbor's dog barks all day. You may not hear it, but your cat might.

If you notice your cat is using the box when you're home and avoiding it when you're not, consider staying home one or two days when you would normally be out to see what kinds of things might go on during that time. Lawn mowers, noisy cars, dogs, or any other sounds or scents that frighten your cat may be unintentionally spooking her into not using her box.

4 - Multi-cat household issues

In general, the non-physical issues that arise in a multi-cat home have to do with either cleanliness or anxiety. Do you have enough boxes for the number of cats in your home? The oft-quoted maxim is that the number of boxes should equal the number of cats in your home, plus one extra. While many cat owners get away with fewer, adding a box or two can't hurt. Be sure to keep the boxes clean. It isn't unusual for a cat to not want to use a box that has been soiled by another cat.

Sometimes, cats are bullies. Be sure all your cats are able to go potty in peace. Watch for stalking and ambushing behavior, even in play. What one cat thinks is funny might really freak the other one out. After awhile, one may become afraid to use the box. After all, that's a pretty vulnerable position to be in. It's also a great ambush location. Hooded boxes and boxes in closets or corners should be avoided if you spot (or suspect) any bullying going on. You want all the cats to feel safe when they use the box.

5 - Special needs cats

It's worth a mention that very young kittens and geriatric cats need a box they can easily step in to - not one with a very high lip edge nor fancy hooded boxes they have to think to get to. They also may need

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