Cat ringworm: signs, treatment and care

Ringworm in cats is a fungal skin infection, not a worm. Most cases are caused by a fungus called Microsporum canis. Look for round or uneven patches of hair loss with grey, scaly or crusty skin and short broken hairs, usually on the head, ears, face and front legs. The patches often do not itch. Kittens, long-haired cats such as Persians, and cats from shelters or multi-cat homes get it most. A vet confirms it with a UV lamp check, a fungal culture or a PCR test, then treats with an oral antifungal plus medicated baths or dips, usually for six weeks or more. Ringworm spreads to people and other pets by touch and through spores on hair and bedding, and the spores can survive in a house for many months, so cleaning matters as much as medicine. In Malaysia, ringworm is commonly called kurap kucing.

This is general information from a grooming and boarding team, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has ringworm, see a vet. If you have an itchy red ring on your own skin, see a doctor.

What does ringworm look like on a cat?

• Patches of hair loss, round or irregular, often on the head, ears, muzzle and front legs, then spreading.
• Scaly, grey or crusty skin in the patches, sometimes with redness.
• Broken, stubbly hairs at the edge of a patch, as if the fur had snapped off.
• Little or no itching in most cats. A cat that scratches hard is more likely to have fleas, mites or an allergy.
• Dandruff or a dull, broken coat with no clear patch, common in long-haired cats.

Some cats carry the fungus with no signs at all and still infect people or other pets. If one cat in the house has ringworm, ask your vet whether the others should be tested.

How does a vet test for ringworm?

Test	What it shows	How long
UV (Wood's) lamp	Many, but not all, infected hairs glow apple green	Minutes
Microscope look at hairs	Fungal spores on the hair shaft	Minutes
Fungal culture of brushed hair	Grows and identifies the fungus	1 to 3 weeks
PCR test	Detects fungal DNA	A few days, from a lab

A UV lamp that shows nothing does not rule ringworm out, because not every strain glows. Vets often combine two tests, and repeat the culture or PCR at the end of treatment to confirm the cat is clear.

How is cat ringworm treated?

Treatment has three parts, done at the same time:

1. Oral antifungal medicine prescribed by your vet, such as itraconazole or terbinafine, given for weeks.
2. Topical treatment on the whole coat, not just the patches: lime sulphur dips or a miconazole and chlorhexidine shampoo, usually twice a week. This kills spores on the hair so the cat stops spreading them.
3. Cleaning the home, because spores shed from the coat re-infect the cat and infect people.

Expect at least six weeks. Your vet decides when to stop, usually after a negative culture or PCR. Stopping early because the patches look better is the most common reason ringworm comes back.

For long-haired cats with widespread infection, some vets advise clipping the coat short so the dips reach the skin. Clipping can spread spores and nick fragile skin, so only do it on your vet's advice, and not at a normal grooming appointment.

Can people catch ringworm from cats?

Yes. In people it shows as a red, itchy, ring-shaped rash, often on the arms, neck or face, where you hold the cat. Children, older people, and anyone pregnant or with weak immunity are most at risk. While your cat is being treated:

• Wear gloves to give medicine and baths, and wash your hands after touching the cat.
• Keep the cat out of bedrooms and off sofas until your vet says it is clear.
• See a doctor for any rash on your own skin. Human and cat ringworm are treated separately.

How do I clean ringworm spores out of my house?

Spores fall off with the cat's hair and can survive in the house for many months. A University of Florida shelter medicine course notes they can stay viable for up to 18 months.

• Confine the cat to one easy-to-clean room, such as a bathroom or a room with a tiled floor, during treatment.
• Vacuum floors and furniture often, and throw the bag or dust out straight away.
• Wash bedding, blankets and soft toys in hot water. Throw away items you cannot wash.
• Wipe hard surfaces, carriers and grooming tools with a disinfectant that kills fungal spores. Diluted household bleach works on surfaces that tolerate it. Ask your vet for the right ratio, and never use it on the cat.
• Clean the car seat or carrier the cat travelled in.

Do home remedies for kurap kucing work?

Not reliably. Used cooking oil, minyak gamat, toothpaste and human antifungal creams are often shared online. At best they soothe one patch. They do not kill spores in the rest of the coat or in the house, so the cat keeps infecting people and other pets. Some oils and essential oils are also harmful to cats when licked off. Use the medicine and shampoo your vet prescribes.

Can a cat with ringworm be groomed or go to a pet hotel?

Not while it is infectious. Spores spread on combs, clippers, dryers, towels and tables, and a groom or a hotel stay puts other cats at risk. PGH asks owners to tell us about skin problems before a grooming appointment, and may decline a pet that shows signs of illness at hotel check-in. Once your vet confirms your cat is clear, book as normal.

After treatment, regular brushing helps you spot any new patch early. Our guide on how often cats should be groomed covers brushing by coat type, and cat hair loss: shedding or a problem? explains other reasons for bald patches. For a vet near us, see vet clinics in Subang Jaya and USJ. For grooming, see cat grooming. PGH is in USJ 21, Subang Jaya: how to get here.