It's been a while since I've had to introduce cats.

We have begun fostering a Bengal kitty. Basil and lapka are the only two we've ever had to properly introduce and that was 4 years ago. The foster kitty is approx 1 and we have slowly been letting them view one another with the door open which seems fine, and She does not seem afraid. More interested if anything. Basil flew into the room once and fiancé was very worried and immediately grabbed him to take him out. Basil looked up and hissed at her and carried on hissing as fiancé took him out of the room.

We'd like to allow basil and Lapka in the room to learn about her, and eventually introduce face to face without causing too much stress to our foster. Any suggestions?

Thanks so much!

Letting them see each other is a good start. Scent swapping and location swapping would be next. Letting them sniff each other through a crack in the door would come after. Shared treats, play time, and meals next, working up to shared spaced 100% of the time. Give lots of praise and love to all.

In my opinion, people seem to think introductions have to be a all or nothing sort of thing and that is how it shouldn't be. Just like people irritate each other, animals do the same and need breaks from each other and time to process and relax.

Expect some growls and hisses both at each other and at you. Time and patience will help a lot.

Kudos to you for fostering!

Let the kitties take as much time as they need with the introduction. Hissing is very common. As long as that's ALL that is done. If a cat attacks the other, then you have to pull them apart. But, the cats should be separated initially and the new kitty kept in a "safe room" with food, water, litter box, toys and a bed. Swapping scents is the first thing. There are new kitty smells for each kitty. Then perhaps you can feed them in the same general area. You don't want to isolate your foster kitty too much because she needs interaction with humans. You can also bring all the cats together and use toys to interact with them and their focus is usually on the toys. Naturally, you will have to supervise their time together until they can all co-exist without any problems. You've already got two kitties, so each of them will take a different time frame in accepting the foster kitty. It takes time and patience. Good luck!

Thank you for the advice. I have let Autumn (our foster kitty) wander the house while my other two were on the patio for a small amount of time to let her get some new scents, but it seems that she often tries to find the closest window sill to hop in and starts pacing it. Not sure if this is anxiety, or the fact that she is not fixed yet. Fiancé accidentally let our female cat in while Autumn was still in the living room. My female cat, with no questions asked just went right after her. we immediately removed them both and put them both in their "safe spots". The encounter does make me nervous. I am hoping to begin allowing them to interact after this week passes. As I can tell Autumn is getting ansy about being cooped up in a room all day long. poor thing.

Kitties of course are much different than dogs, I know you can't just throw them all in a room expect them to immediately all get along and begin playing. I just hope that the hissing and growling is something that can be worked down.

What you're experiencing in the introduction process is normal. These things take time and effort on your part to make sure the kitties stay safe. There is a new kitty in town and infringing on the other cats' territories! It's only natural for them to want the new kitty out of their space. I'm sure the foster is extremely stressed out at being in a new environment as well. It's great you are fostering, but usually there are problems when a new kitty arrives. You've got to make sure your new kitty gains confidence. I have ONE cat (oh dear, I do feed a neighbor's cat who refuses to live at their house). When the two cats meet outside, I have my hands full! Raiden does not want this other cat anywhere near our yard. The other cat is so sweet and laid back and does nothing to Raiden. I'm not having a great time having both of them, so I can only imagine what you're going through.

Have slowly been allowing them in the same room. Still hissing and fussy. The other night I got them close enough to one another that they were playing individually without hissing. But then last night we had a step back when autumn was walking up the stairs and as soon as she turned her back basil went after her, which is not unnormal for him... He does this to his sister often. And autumn of course was defensive.

I am trying so hard! I want them all to get along and just enjoy themselves peacefully.

Hang in there -- sometimes this can take months and you're dealing with an adult cat who has had a rough life. She is scared. Give it time -- don't rush this. I know it's disheartening, especially when you think it's a step backwards. I admire your willingness to foster Autumn. She's been through a lot and it's going to take a lot longer. Her confidence will come back with lots of love and patience.