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Natural Ringworm Remedies in Dogs
Written By Wag! Staff
Published: 06/04/2017Updated: 09/28/2023
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS

What are Natural Ringworm Remedies?
Despite the misleading name, ringworm actually refers to a fungal infection in the hair fibers and epidermis of a dog’s skin, rather than the presence of a parasitic worm. A number of natural remedies can be used to help treat ringworm, all of which aim to relieve symptoms associated with the infection.
Whilst the dog should be taken to the vet for diagnosis and treatment, there are some natural remedies which your vet may advise you administer at home. This may be in conjunction with prescription medication.
Some ringworm infections may clear up on their own, but treatment will make your dog more comfortable. Terrier breeds, such as Jack Russell Terriers and Boston Terriers, are more prone to ringworm.
Natural Ringworm Remedies Procedure in Dogs
Some of the most popular and effective natural remedies for relieving the symptoms of ringworm are anti-fungal pet shampoo, apple cider vinegar, chamomile, and oatmeal baths. Always consult your vet before administering natural remedies for ringworm. For most pets, stronger medicine will also be needed.
An anti-fungal pet shampoo will help fight and eliminate the infection. To use:
- Wash your dog with an anti-fungal pet shampoo in the bath
- Do this every other day until the infection has gone
Apple cider vinegar may relieve the itching and soreness of the infected area. To use:
- Make a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water
- Put the solution in a spray type bottle
- Spray the infected area with the solution two to three times a day, as needed
Chamomile tea soaks can help relieve itchiness and stop affected areas of skin from being rubbed raw. To use:
- Steep chamomile tea bags in a bathtub of room temperature water
- Remove tea bags from the water and let your dog soak for several minutes
- Use a jug to pour the tea solution on dry and itchy patches of skin
- Remove your dog from the tub and let them drip dry
Oatmeal baths and pastes are effective at soothing dry and itchy skin. To use:
- If using an oatmeal paste, rub the paste onto the affected areas of the skin and wash off the paste after several minutes
- If using an oatmeal bath, pout ground oatmeal into a bathtub of room temperature water
- Let your dog soak in the bathtub for 10 minutes
- Remove your dog from the tub and let them drip dry
Efficacy of Natural Ringworm Remedies in Dogs
Many pet parents have reported success with the remedies above in relieving the symptoms ringworm. An anti-fungal shampoo is particularly effective in stopping the spread of infection. However, non prescription medicines aren't always effective and may not eliminate a ringworm infection.
There are alternative treatment options to relieve the symptoms of ringworm. Your vet may prescribe medicated shampoo and an ointment containing miconazole to kill the fungus. If the case is severe, they may also prescribe an oral medication to work in conjunction with any topical treatments.
Natural Ringworm Remedies Recovery in Dogs
It's unlikely your dog will have a reaction to natural treatment options but allergic reactions are possible. You may start to see improvements in the infected within a few short days. Remember, fur re-growth takes about 6 weeks.
If your dog may need to be taken to the vet’s if the condition worsens, but if the infected area clears up, no follow-up appointment will be necessary. The environment must be deep cleaned to prevent re-infection.
Cost of Natural Ringworm Remedies in Dogs
The cost of natural remedies to treat ringworm is low. Anti-fungal pet shampoo can be bought for between $10-$25. Apple cider vinegar can be bought for around $5. The only other cost will be for the initial vet diagnosis, which on average costs between $45-$55.
This price could vary if you have a dog with a number of infected areas or if you needed to return to the vet for further appointments because the infection had worsened. But, overall natural remedies are inexpensive.
With regards vet charges, as discussed, the initial diagnosis will cost between $45-$55. Topical creams and ointments could cost anywhere between $20 -$100. If medicated shampoo is also required, this could add anywhere between $10-$35 to the total cost. Whilst the medication from the vets is more expensive, it is more effective, with ringworm usually being completely eliminated within one to three weeks.
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Dog Natural Ringworm Remedies Considerations
The benefits of the natural treatment route are that they are safe and pose no harm to your dog. So there are no short term or long term implications associated with the natural treatment options. The risk you run is that the treatment will not work and your dog will be infected for longer which increases your risk and adds to the fungal burden in the environment.
Oral anti fungals can be associated with side effects, including a reduced appetite and stomach upset. Oral anti-fungals are not commonly used.
Natural Ringworm Remedies Prevention in Dogs
Ringworm is extremely difficult to prevent, as it's contagious. There are currently no reliable vaccines to prevent ringworm. That said, there are certain steps you can take to prevent infection.
Firstly, being aware of your dog's surroundings. Grooming facilities, kennels, dog shows, and vets are all locations where there is a greater risk of infection. Ensuring facilities are clean and equipment is sterile will help prevent infection. Keeping your dog’s environment clean is the most effective preventative measure an owner can take.
Rodents also play a part in spreading infections such as ringworm. If a dog has access to rodents in their immediate environment, it would be sensible to take necessary measures to eliminate the pests. This can be a very effective preventative measure.
Farm dogs can become infected from contact with animals like sheep and cows.
You can help prevent the spread of ringworm by monitoring your pets. If you see excessive dandruff, sore patches or an unusual amount of itching, then you should seek prompt vet care. Treating ringworm early on will diminish progression and the chances of it spreading to other pets or humans in your home.
If you know your dog has ringworm, you must keep them away from other pets. If your neighbor's dog has ringworm, then ensure they stay separated from your dog. Keeping your dog separate from other infected animals is an effective preventative measure.
Natural Ringworm Remedies Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Greyhound
Tiffany (Tiff)
4 Years
0 found this helpful
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss
Hair Loss Ringworm Lessions
Tiff experienced loose stools and associated minor weight loss after her adoption. She was also diagnosed with stress related hair loss on her belly due to fungal infection. This was treated with Malaseb Medicated shampoo twice a week as required. Soon after, she experienced an undetermined infection resulting in loss of appetite & extreme temp of just over 40deg. She was given an antibiotic to which she responded but within a few days of completing the course she crashed - severe loss of red blood cells, finally arrested by cortisone injection. She went from 26K to about 22K. It was diagnosed as an allergic response to the antibiotic. She was put on a veterinary controlled diet until her weight stabilized, and she was changed to Black Hawk Adult Lamb Complete. (She now has 325g plus approx 200g Julius Dog Mince daily & Calm as a dietary supplement.) Her weight is approx 27.5K
She continues to experience hair loss and was diagnosed approx 12 months ago with ringworm (both fungal infection & Ringworm via skin scrape & microscopic examination). In retrospect, I believe she has had the ringworm since I got her or, very soon after. Theoretically the Malaseb should have controlled it. However...
All her bedding, soft toys, etc were sun soaked for several days, laundered with Canesten Laundry rinse & sun soaked for a further several days. Carpets throughout the house were dry shampooed with Bicarb Soda, left on for 24hrs, then later, with an antifungal powder, during which time we vacated the premises. All hard surfaces & non removable soft furnishings were sprayed with a diluted Canesten solution and left to air dry, including inside the car - also my personal laundry. We had about 3 weeks before the hair loss started again and the single ringworm increased in size - marginally.
Approx 7 months ago Tiff was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. Her thyroid hormones at that point were too low to register. She was put onto Thyroxin 0.4MG twice daily to start and is now on 1 1/2 tablets twice daily with a review due mid May 2018.For a while her hair was regrown & looking good. Her weight remains stable, her coat gleams, but in the last 2 1/2 months she has started shedding guard hairs again but over her whole body, though the cover has remained good on her head, shoulders and back, her underbelly & both flanks look like well worn carpet and she was constantly licking so I had to resort to using her wire muzzle lined with polystyrene meat trays cut to fit as Elizabethan Collars do not work with greyhounds due to narrow neck & long snout! I wondered if this was due to my removing Calm from her diet for a period of about 4 weeks over Christmas - I do feel there has been an improvement since I put her back on it, but the ringworm lessions suddenly started to multiply. Over the period since initial diagnosis, I've tried various topical applications, each for several weeks but with no apparent success. (Canesten Cream, Tee Tree Oil, Olive Oil with Tea Tree). Her vet is not keen to resort to oral antifungals as he feels given her medical history it may be too harsh.
We live in a bush environment with possums, bush rats and more recently, mice in close proximity, I wonder if this is exacerbating the problems? Is there anything else we may be able to do to improve Tiff's skin conditions (and help restore my sanity)?
April 3, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
There are many reasons that she may be experiencing these skin problems, and I'm not sure if her thyroid hormones have been checked again recently? If not, that would be a good place to start - thyroid hormones can have a dramatic effect on skin health. It might be a good idea to do that now, vs. waiting until May. She may also be experiencing some allergies, for which there are many effective medications available.
April 3, 2018
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Catahoula mix
Maki
12 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss, Red Spots, Green Pus
Almost 2 months now of back and forth. First was given cephalexin due to skin(Middle of back) and urinary issues. More started popping up
. Was given more cephalexin along with prednisone. Said it was a bacterial infection. Needed to stay of antibiotics for over a month. 2 and half weeks in more are coming with more pus. Trying different antibiotic, pred, and antifungal. Also attempting ringworm cream. Any thing else I should try in addition to? What kind of time frame would I start to see improvement?
March 31, 2018
0 Recommendations
If there has been no improvement up to this point, I would highly recommend that a sample is taken for culture and sensitivity to determine whether there is an infection (bacterial or fungal) and which medication it is susceptible to. There should be some improvement in symptoms after a week or so of any treatment, but it is not responsible for throw every treatment at the problem hoping something will work which is why I recommended culture and sensitivity testing. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 31, 2018
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Labrador Retriever
Alfie
3 Years
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1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Ringworm
I have a 3 year old lab, that suffers from ringworm. We have been treating him for over 2 years but the ringworm keeps coming. Oral treatment included itraconazole for a maximum period of 2 months on and off. Including weekly baths with Anti-fungal "Pet Hex" Anti-Bacteria shampoo and "Malaseb". Areas of infestation were all over the body. We all give an omega 3 based supplement. Inside environment is clean with bleach on a weekly basis.
He also has a pinkish circles around the eye and around the mouth.
I have tried multiple vets, however the ringworm infection keeps reducing and reappearing.
Appreciate any products that that I can use? Is Tree oil safe to use? I have read in some other articles that this may have side effects.
March 20, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. For ringworm to be such a recurrent problem for Alfie, there has to be some underlying problem. Labs are prone to thyroid disease, and it might be a good idea to have a screening blood panel including a thyroid level to see what is going on other than his skin. I hope that you are able to figure out what is going on with him.
March 20, 2018
Thank you very much Dr Michele, appreciate your response. We did try to look at the underlying problem and determined the root cause to be atopic_dermatitis.
I am giving Alfie anti allergy medicines, and this has significantly improved his condition.
Now i have stopped the anti allergy tablets and put ALfie on a food diet (giving him sensitive skin dog food) to try to rule out food being the reason for allergy.
Appreciate if you can provide some insight into what I can do for atopic_dermatitis.
Regards,
Ajay.
April 28, 2018
Alfie's Owner
I read that tea tree oil is toxic to dogs even in tiny amounts. My dog licks herself I'm afraid she will swallow it. In the many article's I've read it could cause death... is this true? nowI don't know what to believe.
May 28, 2018
Judy J.
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