Home remedies for ringworm in cats

This is a disease caused by the fungus Microsporum canis, which feeds on the keratin of the skin, hair and nails of the animals it parasitizes. The most common symptoms of ringworm in cats are circular lesions without hair that, in addition, produce a lot of itching, crusting and scaling. Likewise, it is common for them to emit a bad smell. In case of suspecting this fungal disease, it is essential to go to the veterinary center to start the treatment that the professional stipulates, since it is the most effective to eliminate ringworm in cats.

Once the treatment has been established, some home remedies can be applied as a complement to treat ringworm in cats. Of course, the veterinarian must also approve that these remedies are applied on a case-by-case basis.

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Haircut

Although this is not a proper home remedy, it is a recommendation to take into account to prevent the spread of ringworm. Therefore, before applying any ointment or remedy, it is important to cut the hair around the lesions. It is advisable that this cut is done by a knowledgeable person, such as a veterinarian or a feline groomer, both to avoid harming the animal and to avoid stress during this process.

In addition to cutting the hair, it is essential to collect all the hairs that are cut and, of course, those that fall out naturally, since if we do not do so, the ringworm could spread to other animals or people.

Wash affected areas

Once the hair has been removed from the lesions, it is important to keep them clean. To do this, we can use a commonly used antiseptic that is composed of iodine or chlorhexidine. These antiseptics are usually sold in pharmacies without a prescription, but in any case, it is necessary to consult with the veterinarian so that they can indicate the most suitable for our feline.

When handling our cat, both to cut the hair and to clean the lesions or apply veterinary remedies and treatment, it is essential to use disposable latex gloves, since we can get infected.

 

Vinegar with salt

In addition to using products sold in pharmacies and in veterinary clinics and stores, there are remedies that we can easily make at home, for example, vinegar with salt. Mix iodized salt with white or apple vinegar and stir well until you get a kind of paste. We will apply this resulting paste to the affected skin areas of our feline companion. We will let this mixture act for about 5 minutes, then we will remove it and wash the area well. We will repeat this process for at least a week.

Apple vinager

Apple cider vinegar itself is a powerful natural antibacterial and antifungal agent, which is why it is used as a home remedy against multiple parasites and fungi. Likewise, it is analgesic, anti-inflammatory and healing, so that it also favors the healing of lesions caused by ringworm.

This vinegar can be applied topically on lesions by adding 5 to 10 drops, once a day. It is important to use 100% apple cider vinegar, preferably organic.

Grapefruit seed extract

Dr. Jacob Harich discovered as early as 1980 that grapefruit seed extract had excellent antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and antioxidant properties. For this reason, today we find it as one of the most used natural remedies to combat different types of infectious processes, such as those caused by fungi. For this reason, it is a natural product widely used to treat ringworm in any animal.

To use this home remedy for ringworm in cats, the ideal is to dilute the extract in water and apply it once or twice a day on the affected areas. Of course, its effects are observed as a complement to veterinary treatment, not by itself. Likewise, we will not use an essential oil, since it would be toxic for the cat.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is also an excellent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent. Of course, it is useful in mild infections, in more serious infections it will not offer the expected results.

To use coconut oil to combat ringworm in our cat, we must simply clean and dry the affected areas, apply a layer of oil and let it act. We can use this remedy once a day, every three or four days, not every day.

Probiotics

Probiotics favor the immune system, which is why using them is always a success in infectious processes like this one. We can complement our cat's diet by acquiring specific probiotics for these animals or, if we cannot find them, with yogurt or kefir. It is essential that the yogurt is natural and does not contain sugar, since it is not suitable for these animals. As for kefir, we also find it in different presentations, the most common being milk and yogurt. Again, it must be a sugar-free product.

We can offer a natural yogurt or kefir to our cat following the instructions of our veterinarian in terms of quantity and frequency. Although we have different home remedies for ringworm in cats, we must again emphasize the importance of following veterinary treatment. These remedies alone may not solve the problem, so we must follow the guidelines established by the professional and, as a complement, administer the remedies that best suit the situation of our feline.