Ringworm in cats

Ringworm in cats

By
✔ MRCVS
LMV
MSc
Reviewed by Dr. Deborah Brown
✔ MRCVS
BSc
BVM&S
FHEA
Updated October 16, 2025
4 min read

Overview

Symptoms

Risk

Diagnosis

Vet treatment

Prevention

When to worry

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Ringworm in cats

Ringworm in cats

By
✔ MRCVS
LMV
MSc
Reviewed by Dr. Deborah Brown
✔ MRCVS
BSc
BVM&S
FHEA
Updated October 16, 2025
4 min read

Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus. It is contagious between cats and can also spread to people and other species. It is usually mild but can be more severe in kittens or immunocompromised cats.

Cats catch ringworm, also called dermatophytosis, when damaged skin comes into contact with spores shed by animals with the disease. This is usually through direct contact, but hairs and objects can also carry the spores. Healthy animals can clear the disease after a few months, but they could spread it until they do. Ringworm is very contagious but not life-threatening.

What is ringworm in cats? >What is ringworm in cats? [Overview

Symptoms of ringworm in cats >Symptoms of ringworm in cats [Symptoms

Are some cats more at risk of getting ringworm than others? >Are some cats more at risk of getting ringworm than others? [Risk

How is ringworm diagnosed in cats? >How is ringworm diagnosed in cats? [Diagnosis

What’s the treatment for ringworm in cats? >What’s the treatment for ringworm in cats? [Vet treatment

Tips on how to prevent ringworm from spreading >Tips on how to prevent ringworm from spreading [Prevention

When to worry about ringworm >When to worry about ringworm [When to worry

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