Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

How to tell if my cat's skin irritation is ringworm or a hot spot?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 4 years and 8 months old | 5 lbs

Is this ring worm or a hot spot?

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on November 12th, 2017

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could actually be either of the two and the only way to know for sure is by testing with a fungal culture. This is a test that your veterinarian can run easily. While the location in the ventral abdomen is not typical of ringworm in cats, this is certainly possible. One thing to point out is that usually ringworm does not cause itchiness in cats while hot spots or dermal infections tend to do. I recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Your veterinarian can test to see if ringworm is possible. In the meantime, try to avoid having direct contact with this lesion in case it is ringworm as that can be transmitted to humans. Good luck and have a good night!

Vote icon

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Sponsored