Older cats do not like changes to their routine, large or small. The addition of kittens is huge, whereas the addition of an area rug might only be a big deal because it is located near the cat's potty place. When cats are irritated, they will punish you with bad behavior. I think that if you remove the rug, your cat will return to using the box.
Onery little beasties.
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"You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to." Molly Ivins - 1944-2007
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