Ringworm is the most common infectious skin disease in cats and a significant welfare challenge in rescue and rehoming environments.
Ringworm causes welfare concerns primarily through the prolonged treatment period required for cure, during which cats in shelter environments may be isolated for weeks to months. The psychological welfare impact of isolation on social cats is significant. Treatment with antifungals can cause gastrointestinal side effects, and repeated lime sulphur dips used for environmental decontamination are stressful for cats. Owners of newly adopted cats with undiagnosed ringworm may surrender them when disease becomes apparent, causing welfare impacts from repeated rehoming. Foster care and appropriate treatment protocols that minimise isolation duration improve welfare outcomes for ringworm-affected cats.