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CAT HEALTH

Ringworm in cats: signs, spread and when to see a vet

Ringworm is a fungal skin infection, not a worm. It causes scaly bald patches in cats and can spread to people, so a vet should confirm and treat it.

PanduanHewan editorial teamUpdated Editorial standards
About this guideCompiled from the listed veterinary and health organisations’ guidance; not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.
General information for owners, not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. If your animal seems very unwell, in pain, struggling to breathe or may have been poisoned, contact a vet immediately.

Quick answer

Key points

  • Ringworm is caused by dermatophyte fungi, not worms, and the patches are not always ring-shaped.
  • Kittens, longhaired cats such as Persians, older cats and cats that are already unwell are at higher risk.
  • Fungal spores can survive for up to two years on bedding, brushes and surfaces in the home.
  • Ringworm can spread from cats to people, so wash your hands after handling animals.
  • A vet needs to confirm the diagnosis, because other skin diseases can look similar.

When should you see a vet?

  • See a vet promptly if skin patches spread quickly, or appear on a kitten, an older cat or a cat that is already unwell, as these cats are most at risk of severe infection.
  • Roughly round bald patches that are scaly or crusty, especially on the head, ears or legs.
  • Broken hairs, dandruff, or changes in skin or coat colour.
  • Red, inflamed skin, or excessive licking and scratching.
  • Claws or nail beds that look infected.
  • Open sores on bald skin.
  • A family member with an itchy, scaly rash: take the cat to a vet and have the person seen at a health facility.

Contact your nearest veterinarian or animal clinic. This site cannot assess your animal’s condition. Choosing a vet

In this guide (10)

What is ringworm in cats?

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin, hair and claws, not a worm infection; its medical name is dermatophytosis. The fungi that cause it, dermatophytes, come from soil and live by digesting keratin, the main protein in hair and nails. Common types include Microsporum and Trichophyton. The name comes from the circular rash it often causes, but the patches are not always ring-shaped. Ringworm is one of the most common skin diseases of cats worldwide. The fungus can also live on a cat's skin without causing any signs, so a cat that looks healthy can sometimes carry spores.

Evidence: Cornell Feline Health Center — Ringworm: A Serious but Readily Treatable Affliction ↗ · CDC — Ringworm Basics ↗ · PDSA — Ringworm in cats ↗ · International Cat Care — Ringworm in cats ↗

What are the signs of ringworm in cats?

The most common sign is roughly round patches of hair loss, especially on the head, ears or legs, with scaly or crusty skin. Hairs around the patches are often broken and stubbly. Other signs include dandruff, red and inflamed skin, changes in skin or coat colour, and infected claws or nail beds. Itching is usually mild, but some cats lick and scratch excessively. Some cats have only mild signs or none at all. A 2020–2022 study at a veterinary clinic in West Bandung Regency found hair loss most often on the ears and back, with crusts on the back.

Evidence: International Cat Care — Ringworm in cats ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Ringworm: A Serious but Readily Treatable Affliction ↗ · PDSA — Ringworm in cats ↗ · Journal of Parasite Science (Universitas Airlangga) — Incidence and Characteristics of Dermatophytosis Lesions in Cats at Go Pet Care Animal Clinic (2020–2022) ↗

Which cats are most likely to get ringworm?

Young cats under one year old, longhaired cats and Persians get ringworm most often. Kittens' immune systems and skin defences are not yet fully developed. In longhaired cats, fungal spores are trapped more easily in the coat and are harder to remove. Persians also have a genetic tendency to the disease. PDSA says kittens, older cats and cats that are already unwell are most at risk of serious infection. Grazed or broken skin also lets infection develop faster. A similar pattern is seen in Indonesia: the West Bandung Regency study recorded the most cases in cats under one year old, with many cases in Persians.

Evidence: International Cat Care — Ringworm in cats ↗ · PDSA — Ringworm in cats ↗ · Journal of Parasite Science (Universitas Airlangga) — Incidence and Characteristics of Dermatophytosis Lesions in Cats at Go Pet Care Animal Clinic (2020–2022) ↗

How does ringworm spread, and how do you clean the home?

Ringworm spreads through direct contact with an infected animal, or through an environment or objects contaminated with fungal spores, such as bedding, towels and brushes. Infected cats keep shedding hairs that carry spores, and these spores can survive in the environment for up to two years. This is why treating the cat must go hand in hand with cleaning the home. Vacuum and clean surfaces regularly, wash bedding and soft furnishings, and disinfect collars, baskets, toys and grooming tools. Cardboard boxes used as beds should be thrown away at least once a week. When caring for an infected cat, wear disposable gloves and keep up good hygiene.

Evidence: International Cat Care — Ringworm in cats ↗ · PDSA — Ringworm in cats ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Ringworm: A Serious but Readily Treatable Affliction ↗

Can people catch ringworm from cats?

Yes, ringworm is a zoonotic disease that can spread from cats to people through contact with infected animals, people or objects. In people, ringworm causes an itchy, scaly rash that is often ring-shaped. The rash looks red on lighter skin, and grey or brown on darker skin. Risk factors include close contact with infected animals and heavy sweating. People with weakened immune systems are more at risk and may find the infection harder to clear. Do not let children play with an infected cat. Wash your hands after handling animals, keep your skin clean and dry, and have any suspicious rash checked at a health facility.

Evidence: CDC — Ringworm Basics ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Ringworm: A Serious but Readily Treatable Affliction ↗ · PDSA — Ringworm in cats ↗ · International Cat Care — Ringworm in cats ↗

Does ringworm in cats go away on its own?

In an otherwise healthy cat, ringworm sometimes clears up on its own, but this can take 9–12 months, and during that time the cat can keep spreading spores. Hair keeps falling out, and the exposed skin is more prone to wounds and infection. So do not wait. A vet needs to confirm the diagnosis, because other skin diseases, such as flea allergy, can look similar. Tests may include a Wood's lamp, examining hairs under a microscope and a fungal culture. Fungal culture is the most accurate, but results can take up to three weeks. Treatment usually lasts at least about six weeks, sometimes longer, and works in most cases.

Evidence: Cornell Feline Health Center — Ringworm: A Serious but Readily Treatable Affliction ↗ · International Cat Care — Ringworm in cats ↗ · PDSA — Ringworm in cats ↗

Sources & references

  1. Cornell Feline Health Center — Ringworm: A Serious but Readily Treatable Affliction ↗
  2. CDC — Ringworm Basics ↗
  3. PDSA — Ringworm in cats ↗
  4. International Cat Care — Ringworm in cats ↗
  5. Journal of Parasite Science (Universitas Airlangga) — Incidence and Characteristics of Dermatophytosis Lesions in Cats at Go Pet Care Animal Clinic (2020–2022) ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.

Cite this page

PanduanHewan. (2026, 25 September). Ringworm in cats: signs, spread and when to see a vet. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/ringworm-in-cats/