Ringworm in cats – signs and vet treatment

Updated 2026-09-30 · 2 sources

Based on: PDSA, International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your cat has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Ringworm is an infectious condition that affects a cat’s skin.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.

Don't

Do not give your cat any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Ringworm is an infectious condition affecting the skin.^[1]^[2] It can cause hair loss and red, crusty skin.^[1]

Signs

Roughly circular areas of hair loss, particularly on the head, ears or legs
Broken hairs around the affected area
Scaly and inflamed patches of skin
Raised, red, crusty patches of skin
Fur loss
Dandruff
Mildly itchy skin

Causes and risk factors

Persian cats may have a genetic predisposition.

How a vet finds out

Physical examination
Skin scrape or cytology
Culture

How vets treat it

Antifungal medication

Breeds prone to this

Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.

What the experts say

“Patches of raised, red, crusty skin ; Alopecia (fur loss) ; Dandruff ; Mildly itchy skin”
— PDSA [1]

“If your vet suspects ringworm, there are three commonly used tests they may perform to confirm a diagnosis and rule out other diseases. Examination under a Wood’s lamp: A Wood’s lamp emits ultraviolet (UV) light. When a cat is infected with M.”
— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [2]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What signs can ringworm cause in cats?

It can cause roughly circular hair loss, broken hairs, scaly or inflamed skin, red or crusty patches, dandruff and mildly itchy skin.^[1]^[2]

Where might a cat lose hair?

Hair loss may be particularly noticeable on the head, ears or legs.^[2]

What may treatment involve?

A vet may use antifungal medication.^[1]^[2]

Sources

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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