Previously bolshy cat now a bag of nerves

[BeBraveAndBeKind]

Our 6 year old male cat has always been very bolshy and outgoing but in the last week he's become an anxious bag of nerves.

He's scratched himself all over and is wide-eyed and edgy all the time. He's also started to only want to be in the kitchen and is squishing himself into the most ridiculous spaces (behind the kettle yesterday!) If we pick him up and attempt to move him to another room, he yowls aggressively but doesn't struggle but runs back to the kitchen as soon as he's released. He's eating and drinking well and apart from looking furious and nervy, doesn't seem to be in any discomfort.

Anyone else seen behaviour like this? Could it be a symptom of something sinister or is it more likely to be firework related (although he's never reacted like this before)?

[Thefemalekeithrichards]

My big bolshy old sausage hates fireworks, had eyes like saucers and did a really runny nervous poop in his litter tray Saturday night he refused to go out, but always does his personal business outside so was clearly terrified (again) last year he squidged himself in a horrible dark cold gap behind the washing machine so this year was an improvement - (I hate fireworks) but sounds like it is a bit more serious for your boy - has another male come into your garden at all ? Maybe he’s feeling threatened by another cat? Hope you sort it out so upsetting seeing your beloved cat out of sorts 😻

[powershowerforanhour]

Does he go outside and if so has he been picked on or been in any fights? Even if not, can other cats see into your house through patio doors etc?
IME the #1 cause of freaked out cats is other cats.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I’d take him to the vets, he sounds very out of sorts.

[BeBraveAndBeKind]

Thanks all. Another cat could have come into the garden. We have a female cat the same age who's generally quite skittish and she's fine and is in and out all the time. He does go into the garden occasionally but only very quickly and is straight back into the kitchen.

I've ordered a felliway and will make a vets appointment.

[BovaryX]

Hi,
It sounds like he is feeling threatened perhaps by another cat coming into the garden. If he is squashing himself into very cramped uncomfortable spaces that sounds like fear. One thing that calms my nervous cat is classical music. Satie, Chopin, Debussy are his favorites! A cat basket might help him feel enclosed and safer. Good luck getting him checked at vet, he sounds like he’s having a tough time