How to Keep Cats From Carrying Ringworm

Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is a fungal infection and the best way to treat it is with topical ointments. However, tea tree oil is a common ingredient in antifungal ointments and is toxic to cats. According to Pet Alive, semi-effective medications and a vaccine are available for ringworm in cats.

Things You'll Need

  • Bleach
  • Vacuum
  • Clippers
  • Topical ointment
  • Coconut oil
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Give kittens over 4 months old the Fel-O-Vax MC-K, a ringworm vaccine administered in a series of three shots over the course of two months. The Fel-O-Vax MC-K prevents Microsporum canis, one of three strains of ringworm and the most common strain found in cats. According to DermaPet, as of 2009 it is still the only fungal vaccine commercially available for cats.

    • 2

      Clean the floors, surfaces, walls and your pet's food and water bowls with bleach. Also clean, launder or vacuum their toys, bedding and other items of contact. Boil water with holy basil and/or cassia leaves and infuse with lemon or lime juice and spray it on scratching posts, carpeting and some furniture to further remove spores after vacuuming. You can also mist the cat with the infused water.

    • 3

      Give your cat a full-body haircut with clippers to help remove spores from the fungus. Bathing is also an option; antifungal shampoos for cats are available.

    • 4

      Treat the fungi with a topical ointment. According to Home Remedies For You, raw papaya and mustard seed paste are effective ringworm treatments. You can apply hydrogen peroxide three to five times daily, always using a fresh cotton ball. The citric acid of lemon or lime juice is also a known antifungal treatment. Lime sulfur is the treatment of choice by Newman Veterinary.
      You can also apply cassia leaves topically for ringworm on cats. Hold the washed leaves in place with tape or bandages.

    • 5

      Apply a dime-size amount of coconut oil in your palm and rub the oil throughout the fur. Use cotton balls to apply the oil to infected areas of skin.

    • 6

      Spend some time in a location where your cat will naturally sunbathe, which is another common treatment for fungus.

    • 7

      Visit your vet if the problem persists or continues to spread after two weeks.

    • 8

      Get prescription pills for your cat if the ringworm is a serious problem. According to Newman Veterinary, some oral anti-fungals available for cats with ringworm are Itraconazole (drug of choice by Pet Education), Terbinafine and Griseofulvin. However, these medications do have side effects or are allergenic for some cats and should only be used in extreme circumstances at the recommendation of a veterinarian.