What to do?

Hi Emily...anytime a cat urinates or defecates frequently away from the litterbox, a urinary tract infection may be the underlying cause or another medical issue.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine of Feline Health on house soiling causes and treatments: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoil...

House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. It includes urination and/or defecation outside the litter box, as well as urine spraying.

Why do cats eliminate outside of the litter box?

One common misconception is that cats soil in inappropriate places for revenge. It is tempting to conclude, "He defecated on the living room carpet to punish me for leaving him for the weekend." But this kind of calculation requires sophisticated cognitive abilities that cats aren't believed to possess. Furthermore, this conclusion assumes that cats view their urine and feces as distasteful, when in fact they do not. It is only we humans who view it that way.

Medical Problems

So why do cats urinate or defecate on your bed or carpet? Medical problems are one possibility. Inflammation of the urinary tract may cause painful or frequent urination, inability to urinate, bloody urine, and crying during urination. An affected cat is likely to eliminate outside the litter box if he comes to associate the box with painful urination, or if he has an increased urgency to urinate. In addition, kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases often lead to increased drinking and urination. Inflammation of the colon or rectum, intestinal tract tumors, intestinal parasites, and other gastrointestinal conditions may cause painful defecation, increased frequency or urgency to defecate, and decreased control of defecation. Age-related diseases that interfere with a cat's mobility (for example, arthritis, nervous system disorders, or muscular diseases), or with his cognitive functions can also influence his ability to get to the litter box in time. In short, any medical condition that interferes with a cat's normal elimination behavior can lead to house soiling.

Litter Box Aversions

Behavioral problems, such as litter box aversions, inappropriate site preferences, or urine spraying can also lead to house soiling. An aversion implies that there is something about the litter box that your cat finds unsavory. It could be the box, the litter, the location of the box, or all three.

...see web article for medical causes on house soiling

It sounds like he's feeling threatened by something and so is marking his territory. The only time my cat Spirit has gone in the house is when we got a new cat, then we realized that his litter box got filled too quickly and we had to go keep changing his litter every other day.

If it doesn't stop call up the vet and say that your cat is acting strange, perhaps he has a sort of sickness. Give them every bit of information you have, every bit helps.

Since he has never done that before and has been neutered, I would take him to a vet to have him checked out. There could be a medical problem gone undetected, and the only other thing is that he was upset by the new couch and the behaviour is coming from being upset. I know there's a reason for it, Cats don't do that just to be annoying us, their parents, so I 'd call the vet...

Cats are well known to act out with bathroom habits if they are mad about something, but just to be safe a vet visit is always advised.

If you've changed anything about the house, or your habits, this could definitely trigger his behavior.

My mom's cat did the exact same thing to her couch after she moved to a new condo and got in new furniture. His world has been uprooted and he's upset. I could simply be the new furniture.

Even if it's behaviorally motivated, your veterinarian may have some help with behavior modification.. or possibly a little medication to help him deal with the change.

-Good luck

When my last cat started doing that (actually pee'd on my pillow) I took him to the vet & they diagnosed him with diabetes. It may not be that serious, could just be a urinary track infection, but the fact that you say he is "pooping" may mean he is mad about something or he is marking for a reason. Good Luck!

Could be a bladder infection which is common for males. I'd call your vet and describe everything, and maybe schedule a check up sooner than later.

It sounds like that you might have a female nearby in heat or maybe a male nearby after a female in heat and he can smell the mail and is marking his territory. Has he tried to get out of the house or done any unual yoweling?

Vet..

My cat Fibber McGee does that about once a year, he gets very sick and always have to be put on anti-biotics, please bring him to a vet as soon as possible.

dear emily,

it is always best to talk to the vet.......as much as everyone here has love for animals, we are not experts and your kitty needs help...please let us know what the vet says...hope all is well, and easily remedied.

Any new addition to the family? Sounds like something is threatening him.