Cat

2026 Cutest Cat Contest

We're looking for your feline friends that you’re eager to show off in our Cutest Cat Contest, sponsored by CareCredit....

Vote Now | Voting closes May 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Voting info

Voting ends: May 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Less than 24 hours left!

Time left

days hours min sec

Votes per person: 5

About this contest & rules

About this contest

We're looking for your feline friends that you’re eager to show off in our Cutest Cat Contest, sponsored by CareCredit.

Submit a high-resolution photo of your cat or kitten for a chance at stardom in Washingtonian.

Submissions will be accepted starting March 16th, and the deadline to enter is 11:59 PM EST on April 19th.

All entrants will be on display in a photo gallery on our website and will receive a personalized, digital faux Washingtonian “Cutest Cat” cover with the cat’s image and name. Voting will happen from April 27th and will close at 11:59 PM EST on April 30th. All entrants will also receive an annual subscription to Washingtonian (if you are already a subscriber, 12 months will be added on to your current term).

A “People’s Choice” favorite will be determined by most votes received during that time period.

Jonathan Wainberg, SVP and GM of Synchrony’s Pet Business, and a panel of judges at Washingtonian, will also select a “Judges’ Pick titleholder.

The two winners will be announced on our Instagram feed on @washingtonianmag, and both will be awarded a full-page feature in a future Washingtonian issue.

Each submission is $35, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit City Dogs & City Kitties Rescue. Multiple entries of the same cat are permitted, but only one subject per photo (i.e. no multiple cats or humans in the same photo). Visit the rules tab for full details.

Key details

Entries accepted
March 16, 2026 – April 20, 2026
Voting period
April 26, 2026 – May 1, 2026
Entry fee
$35.00 per entry
Votes per person
5 vote(s) per voter

Contest Rules

2026 Cutest Cats - Washingtonian

All entries

284 entries

Voting ends
May 1, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Votes per person
5

Less than 24 hours left!

Time left
days hours min sec

  • Cloud

    Cloud is guarding his egg.

  • Queen Hatshepsut

    This is my mom’s Bengal kitten, Queen Hatshepsut (“Hattie”)

  • Barron

    A 2 year old cream tabby short hair named Barron basking in sunlight behind the curtains.

  • Max & Winston

    I couldn’t choose just 1 of my cats - they’re best friends! Here’s a picture of them together hugging

  • Lumineon von Fluffernutter (Lumi)

    Her Royal Highness, Queen Lumi, is the most wonderful being in the universe. She is easily distracted by moving objects...

  • Miss Elodie

    Miss Elodie does her best Puss in Boots impression to try to get some cuddles!

  • Yuzu

    Yuzu loves cuddles, treats, and her sister Wasabi.

  • Clementine

    Clementine is 3.5 yo diluted calico, who loves people, is very talkative and enjoys perching on the windowsill during sp...

  • Romina

    Romina (Romy) sitting proudly and gracefully. A portrait of elegance and hint of mischief. Her fur is extra plush, almos...

  • Manju

    A sassy little tortie who is easily forgiven when she sits so pretty. A little gift.

  • Bean

    Bean and his angsty-teen CATtitude

  • Sole Mate

    Juniper has been my sole cat since day one. She may not have reciprocated right away, but a week later, many churus, and...

  • Ziggy

    Ziggy enjoying the morning sun.

  • Myka

    Myka is a rambunctious, feisty, cuddly queen. You better not ignore her when she’s looking for pets on her head. She’s a...

  • Gonzo

    Gonzo is our little angel! He was the runt of the litter, and has remained petite ever since. He loves cheek rubs and in...

  • Henderson

    I'm getting a sister?!

  • Kida

    Kida is a fluffy, opinionated and chatty girl. She loves to chase birds in the window and meow at all hours!!!

  • Winnie

    Winnie is enjoying the nice sunny weather in DC outside on her patio.

  • Lilly & Lincoln

    These almost 7 years old beauties were adopted at the Petmac and have been together since then. Tabby Lilly is calmer th...

  • Belle Sheehan Quinn

    A lovely 13 year old lady, I adopted Belle after her owners died. She is very affectionate and lady like. I hate cats bu...

  • Butcher

    Butcher, a blue smoke Maine Coon, commands attention with piercing gold eyes and whiskers longer than your patience. Per...

  • Sugarfoot

    Sugarfoot on neighborhood watch duty. Keeping a close eye on the dogs of Navy Yard, DC. A true Washingtonian, giving bac...

  • Maisie

    Maisie, our russian blue cat, resting on top of our yellow chair.

  • KusuPazuzu

    Nothing makes this darling cat more content than an endless supply of food and attention, and he is just shocked when yo...

  • Mischa

    Mischa, birdwatching above Glover Archbold Park.

  • Spring joy

    Gentle as a bunny

  • Elise

    Elise atop her mushroom! She's a sweet cat who loves getting petted, and she will climb to higher perches and use her cu...

  • Mallomar

    Mallomar waits oh‑so‑patiently, hoping her good‑girl manners earn her that precious Greenie

  • Diana "Wonder Woman" Prince

    Meet Diana "Wonder Woman" Prince, who was named by our daughter. Diana is a Birman cat who enjoys terrorizing his sister...

  • Gusbert

    Gusbert sees into your soul.

  • Hepta

    Hepta (Hepta Lion Mittens Ho) is perfect, and she knows it. Equal parts sass and sweetie, she spends her days sunbathing...

  • Meredith

    Meredith is a loving, 3-year-old, gray domestic shorthair. She lives in Logan Circle with her sister, Goose, and moms Le...

  • Fig

    Fig is a diminutive 8lb eldritch gremlin, cursed with a great and awful beauty, almost as if it were a punishment from G...

  • Maya

    Maya is a 9 year old Norwegian Forest Cat mix. She’s loves people, salmon, lap sitting, and bird watching. She is the mo...

  • Richie

    Richie is a sweet, gentle, grey tabby cat who is 5 years old. Not as hyper as his sister Mia, but he loves to get cozy a...

  • Charlie

    Charlie is an orange Somali who is very friendly and loves to join us for dinner. He is the definition of a lap cat and...

  • Pasht the Pasta Cat

    I woke up like this (flawless)

  • Pumpkin

    Pumpkin is our rescue cat. Our friend Brianna found her on the street in D.C. during a summer heatwave. Now she's a happ...

  • Queenie

    Queenie is a blue eyed tortie point Siamese who loves to lie on us.