cat's behavior change

[Dman]

we have a male cat he's about 3 yrs old now, he's always been very adventurous,always going outside, we have two cats, he's always been the boss,he's quite a big cat and is very dominant but at the same time quite loving, he's also very vocal, likes to let you know he's there.
Since a few days ago now he seems a completely different cat, he seems very scared to go out, in particularly the back of the house, he walks around crouched quite low down and very slowly and looking around every corner and door as though he's expecting something to be there. He won't go out the cat flap, he wants to be let out of the front door or the windows and back in the same way, he does'nt sleep in his usual bed that he's had since being a kitten, he just seems very timid and on edge all the time, nothing like he was just a few days ago, does anybody have any idea's, thankyou.:confused

[Dadie]

Has he been battered by a bigger cat?
Fighting to take over territory .

[Liz]

It does sound like something has frightened the poor wee soul.:(
Have you seen another cat there and could it have come in the cat flap and gone into his bed? Might be a good idea to close this in the meantime.
Try changing the bedding in case another cat was there and has left it's scent in the house.

Maybe you could go out to the back garden with him to give him confidence?
Also, try putting some Rescue Remedy in his drinking water to relax him.
The homeopathic remedy Aconite is really good for any kind of emotional trauma.

Hopefully he will be back to normal soon.

[teenybash]

Agree with Liz that the poor wee soul has had a bit of a fright and a stranger has invaded his world...... if you've got a steamer it will eradicate all the strangers scent and then just a matter of your puss getting his confidence back, by ensuring his world cannot be infiltrated again.:)

[Dadie]

If your cat can keep a collar on it may be worth changing the catflap to one of the ones that will only let your cat access.
Wash his bed and clean out his litter tray (if he has one)
Keep an eye out for the other cat (a super soaker waterpistol is good)
But make sure the other cat cannot get in the house, there is not much you can do if its getting in the garden other than soaking it without making the garden inhospitable for your own cat!