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When to professionally clean after cats are negative for ringworm?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

I have two cats with ringworm that came in with a newly adopted kitten. My 6 yo daughter caught it from them as well. They are in isolation (we're at the two-week mark only!). I am wondering if it is best to wait to have the vents professionally cleaned and the carpets, mattresses, couch, etc. steam cleaned after the cats have had a negative fungal culture. I cannot afford to have all this work done twice...so looking for advice as to best and most effective timing. Thank you!

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 21st, 2018

Great question! I would wait until after they have a negative fungal culture to have the vents professionally cleaned as well as the carpet, but there are things you can do now. You can vacuum the home yourself, clean all surfaces, and put things outside on a sunny day as well as opening curtains. I will put a link below on how to do those things. Good luck! http://www.livestrong.com/article/49666-rid-home-ringworm/

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Related Questions

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I'm in the process of adopting a kitten and just found out she has ringworm. I would rather bring her home than wait another 3 weeks to adopt her, but I am not certain if I would be able to contain the infection. I live in a fully carpeted 1 bedroom
Congratulations on your upcoming adoption of Daisy! Since you have no other pets and she has not already contaminated your apartment, keeping her contained to a small and easily cleaned area - such as a bathroom - would be ideal. It is recommended to use a diluted bleach solution to clean the infected room 1-2 times per week to prevent reinfection. Treatment for ringworm can last several months and should be continued until she has had three negative fungal cultures. It sounds as though Daisy has been well cared for with respect to her treatment, and it may just take a bit of tough love on your part to keep her confined to the bathroom for at least the next few weeks. Here is a bit of additional reading regarding ringworm: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=559 I hope this helps and that all goes well! Enjoy your new kitten! :-)
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Hi I have a cat that has ringworm who we have done topical treatment for on the area for 7 weeks and we got a negative fungal culture result back is it ok to “un-isolate” him now?
I recommend waiting until there are two negative fungal cultures to reintroduce a cat with ringworm back into the household. I typically would culture again in about three weeks. Every vet has a different protocol that works for them however so ask your vet!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Hi There! Hope your well. We have 2 healthy cats. When we chose a 3rd to adopt it was discovered the 4 month old had ringworm. The kitten is going thru treatment. When is it safe to finalize the adoption and bring the new kitty home?
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Loki. The standard recommend is to have a minimum of two negative fungal cultures performed 2 weeks apart from each other. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
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Our cats have always licked and scratched alot. No obvious cuts or rashes. My daughter had now developed a patch of ringworm diagnosed by her physician. We need to treat the cats and our home. Can I use shampoos, sprays or wipes ( 1% ketoconozole) an
Hello. Yes, you can use topicals, like LimePlus Dip, or oral medications as prescribed by your veterinarian. As for your home, the ringworm spores could be on any surface. Anything that you can wash in hot, soapy water ( especially any bedding the cats sleep on ) should kill the spores. Put a new bag in your vacuum & go over all surfaces, including walls, shelves, vents ( change all air exchange filters ), lights & fans & dispose of the bag. Wet mop & go over all surfaces with a cleaner to pick up every possible speck of dust. This should rid your home of ringworm & treating the cats should eliminate all potential spores. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
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I adopted a cat four weeks ago from a shelter in Fort Bragg CA. He is in good health, about 3 years old, but just found out he has ringworm. We are a one cat household, no kids, no immunocompromised adults. The cat has three small lesions on the ba
Hello. Continue the lime sulfur dips 1-2 times weekly until all of the lesions have healed. This may take 2-6 weeks, but since you have thoroughly cleaned the house, you do not need to do this again. A good vacuuming weekly should suffice. Thanks for adopting Alex & thanks for contacting Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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How long after starting ringworm treatment can I let my cats out of quarantine? I'm doing miconazole topical cream 2x a day, antifungal shampoo 2x a week, antibiotics 2x a day and just started lime sulfur dips, going to do it 2x a week. They have bee
Cats with ringworm can remain contagious for about three weeks if aggressive treatment it used, which it sounds like you are doing. I would keep them isolated for at least another week. Keep in mind you will have to disinfect the environment as well because ringworm spores can live in it up to 18 months. I will link a website that details how to do this: http://www.livestrong.com/article/49666-rid-home-ringworm/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello my name is Karen. And I just recently became Owner Took two kittens four months old And I believe they have ringworms Is there any way u can help me please
You will need to take both kittens into the vet to diagnose if they do have ringworm, and in order to get treatment prescribed. Cats need an oral anti fungal medication to treat it, as topical medications typically don't work. The concern is that the Microsporum canis (fungal organism causing ringworm) is spread diffusely throughout a cat's entire hair coat, such that an isolated topical spray will not cover all surfaces of every hair, and lead to frequent recurrence. You will also need to disinfect your home, as ringworm spores can live in the environment for up to 18 months. I will put a link below on how to do this. Also check yourself, as you can get ringworm yourself. If you do have lesions, you need to see your doctor. Call a vet today to make them an appointment. Best of luck, I hope this helps! http://www.livestrong.com/article/49666-rid-home-ringworm/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Dear Doctor, Does my cat still carry ringworm spores on its body after he had recovered? He wasn't given fungal culture test but after meeting two veterinarians it was confirmed that he has recovered, just that I'm not sure if he still has the spore
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Sadly some cats can be carriers. I would encourage you to ask your Vet to do the fungal culture. If it is negative I would feel more comfortable telling you he is fine to be put up for adoption. Or you just have to tell the adopting family that he had ringworm so they are aware. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Sunny is in fact my boyfriend's cat and infected with ringworm. We live separately. I have two 3MO kittens, and given that Tinea is transmitted easily through clothing and etc. , I'm worried that my kittens might get it as well. How can we prevent th
Transmission is possible through clothing but there are some things you can do to decatase the chances of this happening: 1). Use a lint roller after your visits 2) Change clothes 3) Limit physical contact with the infected cat 4) Have the infected cats hair shaved around the skin lesions. This really decreases fungal spores from spreading because they like to hang out on the haircoat 5) After 3-4 weeks most cats are rid of them rirngworm and are no longer infective, so you won’t have to deal with this inconvenience for the entire 18 months as presumed. Oral anti-fungal + topical antifungal treatment is the most effective way to rid ringworm in cats. I hope this helps keep your kitties protected. With diligence and special care I am confident you can prevent any transmission from occurring. Best wishes and take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How long is ringworm contagious in cats once topical and oral treatment is started?
I hate to hear that Boo has ringworm. The main problem with spreading is due to the spores of the fungus found in the environment. The spores are attached to pieces of shedding hair and can be active in the environment for months in ideal conditions. Environmental clean up is a must to control this fungus. As far as Boo himself goes, the topical treatments will help to remove the contagious spores faster and the oral medications will help to kill the fungus faster which will result in less spores. Unfortunately, Boo is considered contagious until he has two negative cultures done 1 week apart. Most cats will be start re-testing for ringworm 2-4 weeks after initial diagnosis. Here is a very helpful link about ringworm including environmental clean up: https://www.petcoach.co/article/ringworm-in-cats/ I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

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