Ringworm in Cats: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Despite its name, ringworm in cats isn’t a worm at all — it’s a fungal infection that affects a cat’s skin, hair, and claws. Caused primarily by the fungus Microsporum canis, ringworm most commonly appears on a cat’s face, ears, tail, and feet.¹ This highly contagious infection can spread between animals and humans.

Understanding how to spot ringworm in cats and what you can do to prevent it is important. In this article, we’ll review the symptoms, causes, and treatment for ringworm so you can keep your cat healthy. Keep reading to learn more about how to get rid of ringworm in cats.

• What is Ringworm?
• Symptoms of Ringworm in Cats
• What Causes Ringworm in Cats?
• Diagnosing Ringworm in Cats
• How to Treat Ringworm in Cats
• How to Prevent Ringworm in Cats
• Ringworm in Cats: FAQs
• Final Notes

What is Ringworm?

Ringworm is a type of fungal infection that affects the outer layers of a cat’s skin, hair, and claws. While many people assume it’s caused by a worm due to its name, ringworm is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. The most common culprit in cats is a fungus called Microsporum canis, which is responsible for nearly all feline ringworm cases.

These fungi only infect the dead outer layers of the skin and hair, but they can cause skin issues like irritation and inflammation. The infection typically creates circular patches of hair loss and scaling skin, which is how it got its misleading name, “ringworm.”

The severity of a ringworm infection often depends on several factors, such as:

• Your cat’s age (kittens are especially vulnerable)
• The strength of their immune system
• Their overall health and nutrition
• The condition of their skin
• Their grooming habits

Long-haired cats and kittens often experience more severe or widespread infections than other cats. While a healthy cat’s immune system will eventually fight off the infection, this process can take several weeks without treatment. During this time, the infection can spread to other people and pets.

One of the challenges with ringworm is how easily it spreads. The fungus can live on furniture, bedding, grooming tools, and other surfaces, making it necessary to treat your cat and clean their environment if you believe they have an infection.¹

Symptoms of Ringworm in Cats

Ringworm presents both visible changes to your cat’s skin and coat, as well as behavioral changes that may indicate infection. So, what does ringworm look like? Possible signs and symptoms of ringworm in cats can include:²

• Hair loss in a circular pattern
• Skin rash
• Broken or stubbly hair
• Changes in hair or skin color
• Skin inflammation
• Scaly or crusty skin
• Excessive grooming
• Infection in the claws or nail bed
• Dandruff

Ringworm looks like circular patches of hair loss. These patches typically have well-defined edges and may appear slightly raised. The skin within the circles often looks red, scaly, and irritated. For skin rash and hair loss, you can look at pictures of ringworm in cats online to get a better idea of what a ringworm rash looks like.

Keep in mind that your cat may not have all of these symptoms if they have ringworm. If your cat is experiencing more than one symptom on this list, you should call your vet to schedule an appointment. It’s important to get your cat diagnosed and treated as early as possible so they don’t spread ringworm to you or other pets.

What Causes Ringworm in Cats?

In most cases, ringworm in cats is caused by a fungus known as Microsporum canis, which cats may pick up from other animals or from the environment they’re in. The characteristic skin rash is a direct result of this fungal infection, which irritates the skin and hair.

So, how exactly do cats get ringworm? There are a few ways: ¹

• Direct contact with infected animals: Ringworm in cats can spread from one animal to another, so your cat might have picked up the infection from spending time outside. Outdoor cats have a lot of freedom, so you never know what kind of animals they’re running into during their adventures. This is an even bigger problem if you have multiple pets at home, as they can easily infect each other with ringworm.
• Environmental exposure. Cats can also get ringworm as a result of their environment. The fungus that causes ringworm can contaminate objects in addition to animals, so your cat might have picked ringworm up from another animal’s toy, or from infected soil in a spot where another animal spends a lot of time. Ringworm is highly contagious, so it’s easy for your cat to become infected if there’s another infected animal in the area.

There are also risk factors you should be aware of, such as:

• Young age
• Compromised immune system
• Inadequate grooming habits
• Long hair coat
• Living in multi-pet households
• Outdoor lifestyle

Diagnosing Ringworm in Cats

Only a vet can accurately diagnose your cat with ringworm. While circular patches of hair loss might suggest ringworm, several other conditions can look similar, making professional diagnosis essential. Veterinarians typically use several methods to confirm a ringworm diagnosis:

• Wood’s lamp examination: This is a special ultraviolet light that can make some types of ringworm glow with a fluorescent green color.²
• Microscopic examination: Looking at infected hairs or skin cells under a microscope can help identify the fungus.
• Fungal culture: The most accurate method is examining your cat’s fungal culture, though results can take a few weeks.

Getting a proper diagnosis doesn’t always require an in-person visit. With Dutch telemedicine for pets, you can consult with a vet from home through video chat. They can examine your cat’s symptoms virtually and, if needed, prescribe appropriate medication delivered right to your door. This can be especially helpful if you have a busy schedule or if your cat gets stressed by vet visits.

However, some cases may still require in-person examination, particularly if the infection is severe or if your cat has other health concerns. Your telemedicine vet can help you determine if an in-person vet visit is necessary.

How to Treat Ringworm in Cats

While ringworm can eventually resolve independently, treatment significantly speeds up recovery and reduces the risk of transmission to other pets and humans. Treatment typically involves a multi-pronged approach that includes:

Topical treatments

Medicated shampoos containing miconazole or other antifungal ingredients help eliminate the fungus from your cat’s coat and skin. Your veterinarian may also prescribe antifungal creams or ointments to apply directly to affected areas.

In cases of severe or widespread infection, your vet might recommend fully clipping your cat’s coat to allow for better penetration of topical medications.¹

Oral medications

Systemic treatment through oral medications is often necessary to fully eliminate the infection. Prescription antifungal medications work from the inside out to combat the fungus. These medications typically need to be administered for several weeks, and your veterinarian may request periodic check-ups to monitor your cat during treatment.¹

Following the prescribed duration of treatment is crucial for preventing recurrence.

Environmental management

Successfully treating ringworm requires you to address your cat’s environment. Regular vacuuming helps remove infected hair and skin cells from your home. All bedding, blankets, and cat furniture should be washed in hot water, while hard surfaces need disinfection with appropriate antifungal cleaners.

Grooming tools must either be disposed of or thoroughly sanitized. When possible, keeping infected cats isolated from other pets helps prevent the spread of the infection.

Treatment can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month or more. Even after visible symptoms resolve, your vet may recommend continuing treatment for a short period to ensure the infection is completely cleared. Through telemedicine services like Dutch, you can easily consult with a vet about your cat’s progress and get medication delivered directly to your home. Remember that even if symptoms improve, it’s essential to complete the full course of treatment to prevent recurrence.

How to Prevent Ringworm in Cats

While ringworm can be effectively treated, prevention is always preferable. Here are a few ways to help protect your cat from fungal infections:

• Regular grooming: Maintain a consistent grooming schedule for your cat. Regular brushing helps you find potential skin problems early and removes dead hair and skin cells that could harbor fungal spores. Always clean grooming tools thoroughly after each use.
• Limit exposure to unknown animals: If you have an outdoor cat, consider limiting their contact with stray or unknown animals. For indoor cats, carefully introduce any new pets to the household and monitor them for signs of skin conditions.
• Keep a clean environment: Regularly clean your cat’s bedding, toys, and living areas. This includes washing bedding in hot water and disinfecting hard surfaces, especially if you have multiple pets in the home.

Ringworm in Cats: FAQs

How does an indoor cat get ringworm?

You might be wondering how your cat got ringworm when they spend all of their time inside. Even if your cat isn’t coming in contact with other animals or infected soil outside, they can still get ringworm from other contaminated objects.

Grooming tools are one way that ringworm in cats may spread even if your cat isn’t spending a lot of time outside. If these tools aren’t properly cleaned after use, ringworm-causing fungus may live in the hair and flakes of skin that remain in the brush. When you brush your cat again, they can become infected with ringworm through the infected hair in the brush.

People can also become infected with or carry ringworm, so you might have brought it home to your indoor cat. Ringworm can spread from people to furniture and other household objects, or it can spread directly from an infected person to a cat. In any case, keeping your home clean and regularly grooming your cat are both important keys to preventing ringworm in cats.

Can humans get ringworm from cats?

Absolutely. As a pet parent, it’s important to understand that many of the contagious diseases your cat gets can be transmitted to you and vice versa. The first thing you should do if your cat has ringworm is segregate it from the other animals. You should also wash your hands after touching your cat to ensure you’re not spreading ringworm to yourself or your other pets. Keep in mind that ringworm can also be transmitted through infected soil, so you should keep your cat away from the garden or areas where kids play outside if they have ringworm.

Can I touch my cat if it has ringworm?

While it’s okay to touch your cat when they have ringworm, you do need to be careful to avoid spreading ringworm after touching your cat. After you pet your cat or pick them up, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly so you don’t become infected. You can also wash bedding and furniture that your cat comes in contact with to avoid getting ringworm.

Because ringworm can survive for a long time on hair and skin cells, practicing good hygiene is crucial if your cat has ringworm. When you pet your cat or come into contact with areas where they spend a lot of time, you should always wash your hands.

How can I treat my cat’s ringworm without going to the vet?

Interestingly enough, ringworm will typically go away on its own even if you don’t go to the vet. The problem is that ringworm infections can last a lot longer without treatment, so it’s recommended that you take your cat to the vet if you think they have ringworm. Your vet can prescribe antifungal medications that help get rid of ringworm faster, which helps your cat recover faster and reduces the risk of ringworm spreading.

Final Notes

Ringworm is a fairly common medical condition in cats. Ringworm is caused by a fungal infection, with some of the primary signs being rashy skin and circular hair loss. This infection isn’t typically considered serious, although it may cause complications in vulnerable cats. Ringworm is usually treated with a combination of oral and topical antifungal medications.

If you think your cat has ringworm, you should get them to the vet before it spreads. With Dutch, it’s easy to get vet help from the comfort of your home. Just schedule an online video chat with a vet and you’re on your way to getting expert advice. You can also order prescriptions and other pet care products from our online pharmacy for cats and have your items shipped directly to your doorstep. If you want to take the hassle out of pet care, try Dutch today.