The latest cat photo contest winners are in, and this week's Cardboard Lovers theme drew a flood of box-obsessed felines. Every other Monday, readers submit photos around a set topic, and three favorites are chosen to be featured on the site and across social channels. Here are the standout cats who claimed the top spots this round.
This week's winning cats
The theme celebrated cats and their lifelong love affair with cardboard, from oversized shipping boxes to packages two sizes too small. The winners were:
- Winner - Brick and Tuna: a box-loving duo who took the top prize together.
- Runner-up - Rasputine (@Rasputinethecat): a not-so-small cat who still squeezes into the tiniest boxes using all of his shrinking skills.
- Third place - Feet (@BaxterBCat): a six-toes-per-paw former stray who chose his family, jumped on the bed, curled into a ball and has loved chewing boxes ever since.
How the cat photo contest works
The photo contest runs on a steady rhythm that readers have come to look forward to. Every other Monday, a fresh theme is set, owners send in their best shots, and a team sorts through the entries to crown three favorites. Winners are featured on the site and across social channels, giving everyday cats a genuine moment in the spotlight alongside their internet-famous peers.
It is a low-stakes, high-charm format: there is no prize money on the line, just bragging rights and a gallery of genuinely lovable cats. The hardest part, organizers note, is narrowing a flood of gorgeous submissions down to a single winner and two runners-up, because every entry is a strong contender in its own right. Themes rotate constantly to keep things fresh, encouraging owners to capture their cats in new poses and settings each round.
Why cats love cardboard boxes
This week's theme taps into one of the most relatable feline quirks, and there is real science behind it. Boxes offer warmth, a sense of security and the perfect concealed vantage point for a watchful cat, which is why so many felines flop into any container they can find, no matter how undersized. Studies on shelter cats have even found that access to a box can lower stress and help them settle into new environments faster. Rasputine's habit of cramming into a too-small box is a textbook example of the instinct in action.
If you want more on feline habits and care, our pet guides dig into the behavior behind the cuteness. The instinct also helps explain why a cat will ignore an expensive bed in favor of the cardboard box it came in.
Why themed photo contests resonate with readers
Recurring contests like this one tap into a simple truth: people love showing off their pets, and a rotating theme gives even ordinary household cats a reason to shine. By anchoring each round to a specific behavior - boxes one week, loafing the next - the format invites owners to look closely at their cats' quirks and capture them, turning everyday moments into shareable stories that build a loyal community around the site.
How to enter the next round
The next theme is The Perfect Loaf, celebrating cats tucked into their tidiest, paws-folded sitting position, with the next winners announced on July 6. Owners can submit their best photos for a chance to be featured. The recurring format means even cats that miss out one week have a fresh theme to aim for two weeks later. For more reader favorites and feline stories, keep up with our latest pet news.
Cat photo contest FAQ
How often is the cat photo contest held?
A new themed contest opens every other Monday, with three winners chosen and featured each round.
Is there a prize for winning?
There is no cash prize - winners earn bragging rights plus a feature on the site and across social media channels.
