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

Designated feline-only clinic areas reduce stress and improve client satisfaction and education.

This cross-sectional questionnaire study evaluated 204 cat owners across eight veterinary clinics in Portugal to assess the impact of feline-only designated areas or hours on stress perception, handling practices, client education, and satisfaction. Clinics without feline segregation demonstrated significantly poorer outcomes: owners reported greater difficulty removing cats from carriers and administering home medications, cats experienced more frequent scruffing (18.4% vs 7.4%) and sedation (10.3% vs 2.5%), and owners perceived increased stress from the presence of other species. Educational disparities were notable, with non-segregated clinic owners receiving substantially less information about FeLV, FIV, flea prevention, and deworming protocols. Client satisfaction with staff and veterinarians was significantly higher in segregated clinics. The study provides quantitative evidence supporting feline-friendly practice principles, demonstrating that species segregation, coupled with staff training and enhanced client education, yields measurable improvements in feline welfare, client relationships, and overall practice quality.

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