What can I give my cat for ringworm
William Taylor
Updated on April 11, 2026
You apply a topical medication directly onto your cat’s skin affected by the ringworm infection. A systemic antifungal is a medication that is given orally. The most common oral medication your vet might recommend for cats is itraconazole. The most common topical medication your vet might suggest is miconazole.
How can I treat ringworm on my cat at home?
The most effective treatment for ringworm in cats is lime dipping in combination with oral anti-fungal medication. Other treatments include the application of topical anti-fungal cream and bathing with anti-fungal shampoo.
How does an indoor cat get ringworm?
Ringworm in cats is contagious to other animals. They’ll either acquire it from direct or indirect contact with the infected animal. Ringworm can live for up to 18 months in the environment on items such as brushes, pet beds, furniture, carpeting, and bowls.
Is there an over the counter treatment for ringworm for cats?
The most common topical antifungal is miconazole (yes, that’s the active ingredient in Monistat!) which can be easily purchased over the counter and is very effective at treating ringworm.What cures ringworm fast?
Over-the-counter antifungals can kill the fungus and promote healing. Effective medications include miconazole (Cruex), clotrimazole (Desenex) and terbinafine (Lamisil). After cleaning the rash, apply a thin layer of antifungal medication to the affected area 2 to 3 times per day or as directed by the package.
Does Lotrimin work on cats?
Topical terbinafine (Lamisil) and clotrimazole (Lotrimin), are not recommended for use in pets as they do not reduce further growth of ringworm lesions.
Will cat ringworm go away by itself?
Ringworm can go away on its own, but it may take months. During that time, your cat could spread the infection to humans and other pets in your home. Not to mention, ringworm can be very uncomfortable for your cat. Medication will more quickly treat the infection and help relieve your cat’s symptoms.
Can humans catch ringworm from cats?
Ringworm spreads rapidly. It is a zoonotic disease which means that it can spread from cats to humans. It is important to remember, however, that ringworm is treatable and that infected animals do not need to be euthanased.What antifungal can I use on my cat?
- Itraconzole – commonly used and one of the most effective drugs for dermatophytosis in cats.
- Griseofulvin – this is an old drug that used to be commonly used – it remains effective, but itraconazole is an easier and more effective treatment.
The “ring” of ringworm looks like a small circular lesion on a cat’s skin. These rings are usually accompanied by hair loss and commonly appear on the head, ears, back, or front legs of their body, although they can appear anywhere. Other noticeable signs and symptoms of ringworm include: Circular areas of hair loss.
Article first time published onHow can u tell if a cat has ringworm?
The clearest and most common clinical signs of feline ringworm include the following: circular areas of hair loss, broken and stubbly hair, scaling or crusty skin, alterations in hair or skin color, inflamed areas of skin, excessive grooming and scratching, infected claws or nail beds, and dandruff.
Is lamisil safe for cats?
Terbinafine (brand name Lamisil®) is a topical antifungal used occasionally to treat skin fungal infections in dogs. It is not as effective for treating fungal skin infections in cats.
Can apple cider vinegar get rid of ringworm?
Apple cider vinegar has strong antifungal properties, so it may help treat ringworm when applied topically to the affected area. To use it, soak a cotton ball in undiluted apple cider vinegar and brush the cotton ball over your skin. Do this three times per day.
Can you buy cream over the counter for ringworm?
Most cases of ringworm, groin infections and athlete’s foot can be treated using an over-the-counter antifungal cream, gel or spray.
How do I clean my house after ringworm?
To kill ringworm spores, clean and disinfect solid surfaces. Launder bedding and other fabric, small area rugs and soft articles. Vacuum upholstered furniture and drapes, and discard the vacuum cleaner bag. Press duct tape to furniture to remove any hair the vacuum missed.
What happens if ringworm is left untreated in cats?
What Can Happen If Ringworm Is Left Untreated? If a cat with ringworm is not properly treated, the lesions can spread over large areas of the animal’s body, causing hair loss and skin infections.
Is there a vaccine for ringworm in cats?
Dermatophytosis (ringworm): These fungal infections, which cause hair loss and inflammation of the skin, spread to both dogs and humans through direct contact. Vaccines against the fungal species that cause ringworm are ineffective in cats, and are not recommended.
Can I use clotrimazole cream on cats?
Clotrimazole is a topical antifungal solution for dogs and cats used to treat fungal skin infections.
Can you use Miconazole cream on cats?
The FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) has approved miconazole topical lotions, creams, and sprays for use in dogs and cats to treat superficial yeast skin infections that respond to this medicine.
What disinfectant kills ringworm?
Bleach diluted 1:10 will kill 80 percent of fungal spores with one application and any surface that can be bleached, should be bleached. It should be noted, however, that bleach cannot disinfect anything if there is any dirt or grime. General cleaning should always precede disinfection.
Is ringworm itchy for cats?
Symptoms of Ringworm Infection in Cats In some cases, the affected skin can appear red and inflamed with a distinct circular rash (hence the name ringworm) that is very itchy for cats. Excessive grooming and scratching may be seen in cats infected with ringworm.
Is there an oral antifungal for cats?
Oral antifungal medications should also be used to treat ringworm in cats. These include drugs like itraconazole (typically at 5-10 mg/kg orally once a day for 3 weeks), fluconazole, terbinafine, griseofulvin, and ketoconazole.
Can I touch my cat if I have ringworm?
People with weaker immune systems are more at risk of catching ringworm from cats, including young children, elderly people, people undergoing chemotherapy or treatment involving transplants or transfusions. We recommend that you don’t let children touch your cat if he or she has ringworm.
Do I have to quarantine my cat with ringworm?
Oral Medication should be given as directed, for 14-28 days. Young animals should be weighed every two weeks and their dosage re-calculated. All ringworm animals should be kept strictly quarantined in a room that is easily cleaned, preferably without carpeting or upholstery.
How long is cat contagious with ringworm?
Infected pets remain contagious for about three weeks if aggressive treatment is used. The ringworm will last longer and remain contagious for an extended period of time if only minimal measures are taken or if you are not faithful with the prescribed approach.
Do ringworms go away without treatment?
There’s no set time limit for a ringworm infection. Without treatment, it may go away on its own in a matter of months in a healthy person. Or it may not. Ringworm on the body is usually treated with a topical ointment such as terbinafine.
Are ringworms itchy?
Ringworm is a common skin infection that is caused by a fungus. It’s called “ringworm” because it can cause a circular rash (shaped like a ring) that is usually red and itchy.
Why does my cat have a red bald spot?
By far the most common cause of a bald patch on your cat’s fur is fleas or other external parasites. … If your cat has had an allergic reaction to a flea bite that has caused baldness a vet may administer an injection or other treatment to help reduce the allergic reaction and help calm the area.
Is miconazole nitrate safe for cats?
MICONAZOLE SPRAY contains the anti-fungal agent Miconazole Nitrate for the management of fungal infections such as ringworm, and superficial skin infections caused by yeast. Safe for use on dogs, cats and horses.
How do you use lime sulfur dip on cats?
of Lime Sulfur Dip in one gallon of water and mix well. Use gloves when applying to the animal’s skin. Apply the diluted Lime Sulfur dip with a sponge directly over the affected areas on the pet and massage into the skin. Repeat in 5 to 7 day intervals.
How much terbinafine Can I give my cat?
Terbinafine hydrochloride can be used to treat dermatophytosis in cats, but a higher dosage, 30-40 mg/kg SID, should be used to achieve a cure.