EXPRESS: Feline stress through owners’ eyes: Comparing perceptions in veterinary clinics with and without designated feline-only areas or hours

OBJECTIVES: This study compared veterinary clinics with and without designated feline-only areas or hours across four domains: feline stress during visits, handling and restraint techniques, owner education on preventive care and common diseases, and overall client satisfaction. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted across eight clinics in Greater Lisbon, Portugal (November 2015-January 2016). In total, 204 cat owners completed a 37-question survey evaluating clinic experience, feline stress, owner education, and service quality. Respondents were divided based on whether their clinic offered feline-segregated areas or hours (n = 96) or not (n = 108). Data were analysed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests (p < 0.05), with effect sizes calculated via Cramér's V and rank-biserial correlation. RESULTS: Owners at non-segregated clinics reported greater difficulty removing cats from carriers (p = 0.034) and administering home medication (p = 0.040). Their cats were more frequently scruffed (18.4% vs 7.4%) or sedated (10.3% vs 2.5%; p = 0.046; Cramér's V = 0.24), with the presence of other species increasing perceived stress (p = 0.004; r = 0.21). Non-segregated clinic owners also received significantly less information regarding FeLV (42.6% vs 17.7% uninformed; p < 0.001), FIV (40.7% vs 15.6%; p < 0.001), flea prevention (27.8% vs 7.3%; p < 0.001), and deworming (21.3% vs 5.2%; p = 0.001). Satisfaction with staff and veterinarians was higher in the segregated group (p = 0.001 for both). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Clinics utilizing designated feline-only spaces or hours demonstrated superior outcomes across all evaluated domains. These findings provide quantitative support for feline-friendly principles, suggesting that investing in species segregation, staff training, and client education yields tangible improvements in animal welfare, client relationships, and veterinary practice quality.