Elderly cat with elimination problems

Question
My cats name is abby she is female she is about 15 years old I have had her since I was 2 :) I am pretty positive she is a tabby. She sleeps 90 percent or more of her day I give her half a pill in the morning and half at night for her thyroid I believe, she gets really thirsty all the time and was losing some weight even though her appetite had not changed much. She gained some weight back and is doing better (and she does not have diabetes). although she still annoys me with meowing until i give in to put the sink on in the bathroom for her to drink. But My cat has been going to the bathroom other places than her litter box. At first it was on my bed every once in a while when I would leave I thought she was mad at me and wanted to get my attention but then I read it was maybe anxiety or a health problem. And more and more I find her pooping in other places its just poop never pee except there was 2 occasions where she peed on my bed and my moms! but that was a while ago and she hasnt since. But lately she poops more even when I am home like today for instance i had to put her in her litterbox 4 times because she tried pooping and then the fifth time i didnt catch her and i was punishing her most the time when she did it but i read not to do that either! I just want to be sure on why shes doing it and what i can do to make it stop because if its seperation anxiety than it doesn't make sense because she does it when im home and if its her being stressed i don't know how to fix it because im not doing anything to make her stressed ( she hardly goes to the vet only if we think something is wrong or a checkup and we have moved quite a few times but not for a few years) ? Although I am wondering more if maybe she catches on to my anxiety and depression I have been struggling with for a while maybe thats crazy but I figured I would say it. so i hope this was informational enough for you to give me an answer and I appologize for it being so long! but i love my cat like nothing else and at first i just wanted to quit having to pick up after her because it pissed me off so much lol but now I really want to help her to be okay she is very old and I am afraid i don't have much time left with her and i want her to be as comfortable as possible. Also reading the possible reasons for this makes me not as angry with her so that helps a lot to understand. thank you so much for listening :)

Answer
Hi,

I'm sorry to her about your beloved cat.  Honestly, at that age, it sounds as though she may have another medical condition more than likely as a result of her aging.  My best recommendation is to take her to the vet to find out if she has a urinary tract infection or blockage, which can be a common reason for improper elimination.  You need to rule out any medical condition that can still be treated comfortably, because it may be that her time is approaching and you certainly do not want her to suffer or have your last time with her to be filled with anger and hostility.  Believe me, I know.  I lost my cat Rascal when he was only 12, which can still be young for a strictly indoor cat.  We waited a few weeks too long, and my last memory of him was trying to eat his cat litter to put himself out of his misery.  Please don't let that happen to you.  At her age, if no dramatic changes have occurred in your household, it is safe to say the cause it not behavioral.  You should confine her to a large bathroom or the largest room you have without carpet to make cleanup easier.  And be sure you are cleaning the carpet with a pet enzymic cleaner, or you are not really getting the urine/poop out of the carpet.  Make a vet appointment as soon as you can, and outline all of the symptoms for him.  Also remember that only you can be the judge of her quality of life, as unfortunately most vets will try to prolong the suffering and treat a condition when the animal should be put down.  This can be a very hard decision to make, but you have to think of your pet first.  If she is spending her days in pain, on medication, and not being able to control her bowels, it is her time to go.  I am sorry you have to go through this, but just remember the joy she has brought to your life.  I wish you the best.

Best regards,
Holly M.