The finalists for the 2026 International Pet Photography Awards are a fun, heartwarming, playful and artistic look at the animals we choose to live among us – unless they choose us -- providing joy as pets.

From cute to hilarious and sometimes even weird, this year’s selection highlights joyful, inventive images . As in every year, the images submitted to the contest are predominantly of cats, dogs and horses, but also include some unusual pets.

From dogs tenaciously reading and ebony-and-ivory lambs to intellectual cats and a rabbit that appears knitted, the finalists showcase the creativity of pet photographers worldwide.

Now in its eighth year, the International Pet Photography Awards fielded 4,220 entries from 48 countries spanning 12 categories, including four new ones for 2026: Commissioned Portfolio, In‑Camera Artistry, Phone and Studio. Repeated categories include Action, Canine Portrait, Creative, Documentary, Equine Portrait, Feline Portrait, Open Portrait and Pets and People.

Category finalists consist of the five entrants with the highest combined score from their top three entries within each category. The International Pet Photographer of the Year finalists are the five entrants with the highest combined score from their top five images across any categories.

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All images were judged by an international panel of specialist animal photographers and expert judges. The use of generative AI was not permitted.

The category winners, along with the International Pet Photographer of the Year winner, will be announced at an awards ceremony on August 1.

Pet Photography In Studio

New for 2026, the Studio category celebrates crafted portraits made in a studio environment, shaped with professional lighting and attention to detail. This category rewards polish, creativity and technical control.

International Pet Photographer Of The Year finalists

The International Pet Photographer of the Year is the highest honor of the awards. The finalists consist of the five entrants with the highest cumulative scores from their top five entries across any category.

Pet Photography With The Phone

Also new for 2026, the Phone Category celebrates standout pet photography captured and edited on phones and mobile devices, proving that great storytelling and strong technique aren’t limited to traditional cameras.

Equine Portraits In Pet Photography

The images for this category must depict an equine subject or subjects. They may be posed or candid, studio or location based, full body or closer.

Pet Photography And People

The images in the Pets and People category must depict at least one pet and one person, either in part or in full. Images may be posed or candid, studio or location based.

Creative & Portraits Pet Photography

The creative category images must depict either pets, or pets and people. This category is designed to honor creative shooting and editing techniques, highlighting conceptual, illustrative or story-driven images.

The Open Portrait category is for portraits that do not feature dogs, cats or horses as the main subject. It also includes images that show multiple species. Images may be posed or candid, based in studio or on location, full body or closer.

The International Pet Photography Awards winners for all categories and the Pet Photographer Of The Year will be announced on August 1, 2026.