What it is
These fungi feed on keratin, the material of hair, the skin's surface and claws. Their spores spread directly from an animal or person, and also through brushes, bedding, furniture and carpets, and they can last in the home for many months.
Kittens, elderly cats and cats with a weakened immune system are more vulnerable. Some cats carry the fungus with no signs at all yet can still infect other animals or people.
In people it shows as a red, itchy, ring-shaped patch of skin; if that happens, see your own doctor. Other skin diseases look much the same, so the cause should be confirmed by a vet rather than judged by looks.
Signs you may notice
- Round bald patches
- Scaly, crusty skin
- Short, broken hairs
- Red skin at the patch edges
- Sometimes scratches
Round or irregular bald patches appear in the coat, with scale or crusts, and the hairs in them are broken. The skin at the edges of the patches may be red, and the cat does not necessarily scratch.
When to see a vet
Book a visit if bald patches with scale or crusts appear in your cat's coat, especially if the cat is new to the household or someone in the family has red patches on their skin.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own cat's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.