Ringworm is a fungal disease that’s fairly common in cats, especially in kittens and elderly felines. Typical signs include patchy hair loss, dandruff and red, circular skin lesions. Once in a household or shelter, ringworm can spread quickly from cat to cat and even to humans.

But if ringworm shows up in your home, don’t fret; there are ways to foil the fungus. First, bathe all your pets using a medicated shampoo or rinse that is recommended by your veterinarian, and launder or clean contaminated items with a disinfectant that is deadly to fungal spores. If something cannot be disinfected, ditch it. Fungal spores can live for over a year, especially in warm, humid climates, so clean and vacuum all surfaces frequently. And of course, wash your hands after petting or bathing your cat.

It’s all well worth the effort to wrap up ringworm.