[massive snip]

You're making this WAY harder than it needs to be.  Just put the laundry
in a room (close the door) or up on a shelf where the cat can't get to
it.  Problem solved.

There are several possibilities that I can think of:
(1) First and foremost, have your cat checked for possible medical problems.
You cannot make this assumption based simply on how she plays or interacts.
Inappropriate urination is often one of the first signs of urinary tract
infections.  If so, that is treatable (and usually inexpensive); but if left
untreated, it can be fatal.  Moreover, she may start to associate the pain
of urination with the litter box if your cat has UTI.
(2) Laundry baskets seem to act as an attractant to many cats.  Assuming no
medical problems, this is one of the places cats often use.  It may be that
the detergent attracts them, or possibly even the scent of the basket.  At
any rate, you can solve that problem by placing the basket in area out of
the cat's reach -- for example, place the laundry basket in a closed closet,
or close a door to the laundry room so the cat can't enter.
(3) You should make litter boxes as accessible to the cat as possible.  From
your message, it appears that the opposite was done when you placed the
litter box in a position where your cat has go go through the cat door.
This would not bother many cats, but you said that your cat is
"uncomfortable" with it.  If possible, you should have a litter box on each
floor.  This is particularly true if this is not "laziness" on your cat's
part (for example, it there is UTI).
(4) Are the boxes kept clean?  Cats are very clean animals, and many will
not use litter boxes that are allowed to get dirty.  Again, I admit that
this is not always true -- but it is true in enough cases that this would be
a "primary suspect" to me if the boxes are not cleaned every day.  You did
say that your are cleaned regularly, so this may not be a problem.  On the
other hand, is it possible that they are "out of sight, out of mind"? -- in
other words, do you sometimes forget to clean them because they are not
visible to you.  I suggest that you add a box to an area that is close to
your activities.  I do not suggest that you set one up in the traffic area!!
...just that it be close by.  For example, I have a walk-in closet in my
computer room where I keep books and supplies.  I have reserved the floor of
one side for one of my litter boxes.  It is close by and I can hear when
they use it (which also makes it easy to monitor that box to see if there is
any problem, such as straining -- which is another signal of UTI).  Another
box is in a corner of a room that I use for painting (frequent) and for
exercise (almost never, unfortunately).  Again, I can easily monitor it.
(5) A general rule of thumb is one box for each cat plus one extra.  You
have that, but your set-up -- three stories plus the need to go through a
cat door and down to the basement for one of the boxes  -- signals a need
for more boxes.
(6) You have mentioned several events that could be stressful to her, and
than can have a cumulative effect -- abandonment, an attempt to train her to
use a toilet bowl (some are successful, but this is not "natural" to a cat),
the noise of the rock tumbler closer to her box (now moved), installing a
cat door that she is not comfortable with, etc.  Incidentally, you wondered
if she may have had a problem because she drank too much, and you mention
her sudden interest in drinking water from the sink.  It is extremely
unlikely that drinking too much water would cause her to use another
location (very unlike bedwetting in children).  However, an increase or
decrease in water intake can be another important signal of medical
problems.  Be sure to mention this change to your vet.

Good luck!  And, please, make a veterinary appointment immediately for a
check-up.

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly:      >'o'<
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")

Here's a follow-up to my previous message (I have to do this *too* often
because I forget to include something).  That is, it's possible that stress
is playing a role.  It could be a good idea to buy some Feliway diffusers
and set them up in 2 or 3 areas when your cat spends a lot of time.  Feliway
is a behavior modification spray.  It is frequently used to calm cats in
stressful situations.  ValleyVet (http://www.valleyvet.com) lists Feliway
for $29.95 for a diffuser with one bottle of Feliway.  Refills are available
for the diffuser (I'm not sure of the cost), and it is also available as a
spray for $15.95.  I prefer the diffusers because they continually release a
measured amount.  I do keep one of the spray versions to use in carriers
before going to the vet.  Shipping is free from ValleyVet.  You might be
able to find a better price by surfing the internet, or someone here may be
able to recommend other sources.

But I want to reiterate what I said in my original message:  first of all,
have your cat checked by a veterinarian for possible medical problems, and
do it as soon as possible.

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

1.  "litter box way off in corner of unfinished basement of 3 story
house".  ====not good idea

2.  " rock polishing machine in vicinity"====not good idea

3.  laundry basket available ===not good idea

I can only tell you what I think is appropriate:

1.  litter box on each floor in quite space that is easily accessible.
    The bathroom would be good then you could scoop every time you
went in there.

2.  Put laundry basket in a closet and close the door.  Better yet,
put clothes in drawer when clean or a closed hamper if dirty.

Be sure to show kitty that these are his and available for his use.

If he continues to go outside the box, follow advice about taking him
to the Vet.

Mostly it is a matter of common sense.  Good luck.   MLB

Cats are masters at hiding illness and a urinary tract infection often
goes unnoticed until the cat is very ill. Take your cat to the vet ASAP
and have them do a urinalysis before you decide this is a behavior
issue.

Megan

                                   

Our cat Jasmine does this- she pees on damp towels that are left in the 1st
floor bathroom of our ranch house (cat box in basement), but only if her
litter box is dirty. In our old 2-story house, she would do it on the second
floor only, and even when her basement box was clean, so we got a 2nd floor
cat box as well. Problem solved.

Well, thanks again for all the advice. Took Freya to the vet today, and the
news was not as good as I liked. :( There was a trace of blood in the
urine, so now she's on amoxicillin for a week or so. (Not sure if it was
blood or WBCs.) This is the first time that I've HOPED it's "just" a UTI,
because the vet said it could also be kidney/bladder stones. :(

- Aaron

Hi Aaron

I think you should move your laundy basket somewhere else, then in the
same spot,put the litter tray there. The cat might like that
particualar spot so she might use it.

I don't think this should be a real worry, your cat migfht still be
adjusting and finds your house a bit scary.
I mean didn't you say she lived in an appartment before. She might
feel uncomfertable with a bigger place to live.

Love Gemma

ps. I hope you don't think i am a bit critical, its just that is what
i think is your cats problem.