Ringworm in cats is not caused by worms at all. It’s a common fungal infection that affects the cat’s skin, hair, and nails. The ringworm fungus is easily and rapidly spread to other cats, animals, and humans. Being able to identify it early and get proper treatment is important.

What is Ringworm in Cats and How do They Get Them?

Ringworm is caused by a microscopic fungi dermatophyte. It feeds on keratin, which is a protein found in hair, skin, and nails. It gets its name “ringworm” because of the circular, ring-like lesions created by the infection. There are several strains, but the most common ringworm strain that affects cats is Microsporum canis.

There are several ways that cats might contract ringworms, including:

·         Direct Contact with infected animals. Physical contact with another animal that has ringworm is the most common cause of ringworm in cats.

·         Exposure to a contaminated environment. Spores can survive for months on softer surfaces like furniture, toys, soil, grooming tools, and bedding. This makes it easy for a cat to become infected.

·         Weak immune system. Young kittens, older cats, and felines that have a compromised immune system are more likely to become infected.

·         Contact with an infected human. Even though it is rare, if a human has ringworm, they can pass it to their cats via touch.

Signs of Ringworm in Cats

Even though ringworm in cats isn’t dangerous or life-threatening, it can cause a lot of irritation and discomfort. Here are some symptoms of ringworm in cats:

·         Thick, rough patches of skin

·         Circular areas of hair loss

·         Stubby or broken hair in the areas affected

·         Flaky, crusty, or scaly skin

·         Visual changes in skin or fur color

·         Patches of skin that are irritated or inflamed

·         Excessive scratching and grooming

·         Gray or red scaly lesions, usually on the chest, head, front legs, or the spine

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·         Distorted nails or unusual nail growth

·         Dull or lackluster coat

If ringworm in cats is not treated, the cat will continue to lose hair, exposing bare places in the skin. This can cause a cat to have an increased risk of skin wounds and infections. It is important to know that if your cat is a long-haired breed, it’s harder to spot ringworm. It’s also possible that they don’t have any visible symptoms. Besides increasing the risk of skin infection, they can easily carry the infection to other pets and humans, since there are no apparent symptoms.

How Do Vets Treat Ringworm in Cats?

For most felines, ringworm will resolve on its own in about nine months to a year. However, this can make your cat very uncomfortable, so treatment is highly recommended to prevent the infection from spreading to other animals or humans, and to alleviate your cat’s discomfort.

Depending on how severe your cat’s ringworm is, treatment may take six to 12 weeks. When a cat has two negative ringworm cultures a week apart, they are considered to be cured. Veterinarians use a combination of treatments to eliminate ringworm infections.

Can I Prevent My Cat From Getting Ringworm?

You’ll need to take a holistic approach to prevent your cat from getting ringworm. Here are a few ways to reduce your furry friend’s risk of getting ringworm.

·         Keep your cat indoors. Keeping cats indoors reduces the risk of being exposed to an infected animal, contaminated soil, or other surfaces that ringworm may live on. You may consider adding a catio to your house so that your cat can spend time outdoors, but not be at risk of infection.

·         Good cat hygiene. When you regularly clean your cat’s toys, grooming tools, and bedding, you can eliminate potential fungal spores. Use Pawer Lab’s cat wipes to keep their hair and skin clean, to reduce the chance that they get ringworm.

·         Quarantine new pets. If you get another cat, especially from a shelter or another outdoor environment, they are more predisposed to getting ringworm. Keep a new kitty in a smaller area or bathroom for one to two weeks and keep an eye out for ringworm. Other pets like rodents, rabbits, and older cats may also carry ringworms, so take precautions when bringing them into your home. If you purchase an animal from a reputable breeder, they are usually prescreened for ringworm, so it is not as much of a concern.

·         Clean and disinfect. Clean your floors, furniture, and other surfaces with disinfectants that protect against fungi, especially if one of your pets has had ringworm before.

About the Author: Fiona

Fiona is the current President and CEO of Pawer Lab. She makes sure everything is running purrfectly and oversees the day-to-day operations. When Fiona is not working, she enjoys chasing lasers, snacking on treats, or taking long naps in the sun.