Feline stress through owners' eyes: comparing perceptions in veterinary clinics with and without designated cat-only areas or hours.

ObjectivesThis study compared veterinary clinics with and without designated cat-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.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted across eight clinics in Greater Lisbon, Portugal (between November 2015 and 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 χ2 and Mann-Whitney U-tests (P <0.05), with effect sizes calculated via Cramér's V and rank-biserial correlation.ResultsOwners 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 feline leukaemia virus (42.6% vs 17.7% uninformed; P <0.001), feline immunodeficiency virus (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 relevanceClinics utilising designated cat-only spaces or hours demonstrated superior outcomes across all evaluated domains. These findings provide quantitative support for cat-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.