Our cats’ skin is their first line of defense against illness, and it also gives us important clues about how they’re feeling. Just by looking at their skin condition, we can tell if there’s a problem or not. One of these problems is feline ringworm.
Ringworm in cats is a contagious infection that affects their skin, hair, and nails. Despite its name, it’s caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes, and not worms. The most common species is called Microsporum canis.
In this blog, we’ll talk to you about all the things you need to know about feline ringworm and how you can help your cat.
How Do Cats Get Ringworm?
The fungi can easily spread, which means all cats are at risk of an infection. Here are the common ways ringworm is transmitted:
Direct Contact
Ringworm in cats spreads easily through direct contact, as the infected animal transmits the spores through physical touch. This can happen when an infected cat plays or grooms with other healthy cats. Essentially, the risk is higher in places where cats are confined in tight spaces.
Contaminated Spaces and Objects
The fungi that cause ringworm in cats release spores that can survive on surfaces for up to 18 months. If your cat explores or rests in an area where an infected animal has been, it may pick up the infection. Plus, unclean carpets, rugs, and furniture can harbor the pathogen.
Cats can also pick up the disease from contaminated objects used by other infected cats. This essentially means that sharing items with multiple cats is not recommended.
Human Carriers
People don’t often show obvious symptoms, but they can still carry the fungus and accidentally pass it to their pets. Poor hygiene can increase the risk of a person picking up ringworm and spreading it to animals. Cats can also get ringworm from their owners’ items, clothes, and belongings.
Can Humans Get Ringworm from Cats?
Yes, humans can get ringworm from cats. Owners can contract the disease by touching an infected cat, which can come in the form of petting and carrying. Additionally, ringworm can also spread to humans when they touch an infected cat’s belongings, such as their bed and toys.
What Cats Are Prone to Ringworm?
These are cats that are young, have compromised immune systems, and are older. Kittens generally have underdeveloped immune systems, meaning they are vulnerable to ringworm.
Older cats, on the other hand, can become infected because their immune systems are now weaker than when they were adults. Additionally, cats with compromised immune systems due to diseases like FIV or FeLV can also be at risk.
This means that any condition that may affect a cat’s immunity can increase their risk of contracting ringworm. This includes illness, stress, and medication.
Another risk factor is the cat’s living conditions. Cats living in poorly maintained spaces are much more likely to encounter ringworm, especially if it's in a damp and moist area. This is usually in places like unhygienic boarding facilities, shelters, and multi-cat households.
A cat’s lifestyle can also determine if they are prone to ringworm or not. Indoor cats will have a significantly lower risk, while outdoor cats that love to play in damp and humid areas will be vulnerable.
Lastly, cats without sufficient basic care options will be at risk of feline ringworm. This includes the lack of nutrition, grooming, and preventive care.
How to Know if Your Cat Has Ringworm?
The main symptoms of ringworm in cats can usually be seen on the skin, fur, and nails. These include:
Flaky or Scaly Patches. Bright red circular patches on the cat’s skin can have flaky or scaly edges, often found on the head and ears.
Bald Spots. Irregular-shaped bald spots appear and can be accompanied by redness and scaling, and these may also typically appear around the head and ears.
Broken Fur. Broken fur can be noticed easily in long-coated cats, with the fur being brittle and shorter.
Itching and Irritation. Cats with ringworm can be seen constantly scratching, licking, or biting on the infected area of their body due to excessive itchiness.
Claw Infection. Ringworm in cats may also affect the claws and nail beds, causing brittleness, discoloration, and inflammation.
Skin Changes. Other skin changes in your cat that may indicate it has ringworm include small, red, crusty bumps, as well as uneven color and appearance.
How Do Vets Diagnose Ringworm in Cats?
The start is to check the symptoms, while the next step is to have a professional assess your cat’s condition.
We will begin with a physical examination to check your cat’s symptoms and clinical signs. After this, our pet dermatologists will be conducting a few tests. These include:
Wood’s Lamp Examination. This involves using a special ultraviolet light to examine your cat’s fur. By doing so, certain species of fungi involved will be illuminated. The glow is a bright apple-green color.
Microscopic Examination. Our vets may also obtain a small sample of hair from your cat for microscopic examination. From here, we can check for fungal spores or hyphae, the branching structures of fungi.
Fungal Culture. The most definitive way to diagnose ringworm in cats is through a culture. This will be done in our in-house laboratory. Here, our vets will take a sample of hair or skin to create the culture. When the fungi grow, we’ll use a microscope to confirm the pathogen.
Ringworm Treatments for Cats
Treating ringworm in cats involves consistent medication, proper hygiene, and home sanitation. The process usually takes 6 weeks, but can take longer in serious cases. Plus, your cat should also be isolated during the treatment schedule.
The most common treatment for ringworm in cats involves the use of topicals in different forms. These may be ointments, creams, dips, or shampoos with antifungal substances applied directly to the affected area of your cat’s skin and fur.
Topicals are proven to be very effective, especially for mild cases. Antifungal ointments and medications are commonly used to treat localized lesions. These creams are applied directly to ringworm patches to help kill the fungus and prevent its spread.
Medicated dips can also be used, although they have a strong odor and can stain the cat’s fur.
For severe cases, our vets may recommend oral antifungals to cover widespread infections. They work by getting into the bloodstream and eliminating the fungi from inside the body. Common options include fluconazole and itraconazole.
Along with your cat’s main treatment option, your home should also be decontaminated. Since the spores can survive in the environment for a long time, we recommend vacuuming furniture, washing bedding in hot water, and using disinfectants.
Recovery Timeline for Cats With Ringworm
Treating ringworm in cats takes patience and consistency. Here’s a general recovery timeline to help guide your expectations:
Weeks 2 to 4. Your cat will gradually show signs of recovery during this time, especially when proper treatment is given.
Weeks 5 to 6. Some cats may have almost fully recovered by this point, while others need more time for healing. Do note that it’s important to follow the full course of treatment.
Weeks 6+. The next weeks will be for confirming if our vets obtain a negative fungal culture. If not, treatment will continue.
During this period, isolate your cat in a room with easy-to-clean surfaces and minimal fabric or porous materials. Avoid cuddling or sleeping next to your cat until we confirm that treatment is complete.
Even after the visible symptoms disappear, some cats may still carry spores, which is why repeated fungal testing is recommended before reintroducing your cat to other pets.
Are There Home Remedies for Ringworm in Cats?
No, there aren’t any home remedies for feline ringworm. Plus, some of the common home remedies used can also be useless or harmful for cats infected.
The most effective option you can do at home is to follow the treatment schedule and regularly decontaminate your home to help your cat recover and prevent recurrence.
How to Prevent Ringworm in Cats?
Since ringworm spores can remain in the cat’s environment for extended periods of time, good cleaning and maintenance practices are essential to keep your cat fungus-free.
Wash bedding and fabrics
Constantly wash all the bedding and blankets your cat uses. Use hot water and the appropriate type of detergent. Adding a disinfectant can also help prevent any fungal growth that could lead to ringworm.
Vacuum regularly
Vacuum rugs, carpets, and fabric furniture to remove any hair and fur that may harbor fungal spores. Be sure to throw away the contents of the vacuum bag after each use.
Disinfect surfaces
Clean and disinfect hard surfaces, such as floors, using a diluted bleach solution. Allow the solution to sit on the applied areas for a few minutes. This allows the solution to run its course and eliminate any fungi that may cause ringworm.
Minimize contaminated areas
When certain areas are hard to sanitize, make sure your cat has no access to these places. This prevents them from harboring any spores that may linger across these areas. Plus, don’t let your cat play in damp and moist areas.
Use air purifiers
Using air purifiers can help purify the air your cat breathes. This also reduces any airborne spores you may bring into your home.
"The health of your cat’s skin is a big part of its overall health and happiness.."
- Dr. Paulina Czerska
Final Thoughts
Feline ringworm is just one of the many common infections our cats face, but it’s preventable and treatable with the right knowledge and care. You can easily protect your cat from it through simple and effective hygiene.
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