I have three adult cats that do not use their litter box. They where trained at one time but due to my own health issues, I could not keep up on the cleaning of them. So now the cats freely go anywhere in the house. I have tried several things to persuade them to use the litter box, but with no luck. Any suggestions?

We have found we have to keep the litter clean on a daily basis, or we end up with the problem you've been having. Are you able to keep the litter scooped daily and new litter added to replace the scooped-out waste? Have you rubbed the litter box sides/rim with fresh or dried catnip? The litter type may also make a difference. Our cats hate the clay chunky stuff but love the sandy scoopable litter. And can someone physical stand each cat in the clean litter and maybe even move his paws back and forth to mimic his getting ready to use the litter? Oh, and have more than one litter box -- in a different area?

Be sure to thoroughly clean up the areas that were inappropriately used, or else the cats will return there -- and even block off those areas, if possible.