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15 Kitten Photos That Will Make You Feel as Warm and Fuzzy as the Tiny Felines Themselves

These moments from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest highlight curious kittens from around the world

a cat looks cup from the bushes
a cat looks cup from the bushes

In the bushes on a summer day, the photographer’s cat plays and looks up at the camera.

Sara Farver, Michigan, 2009

15 Kitten Photos That Will Make You Feel as Warm and Fuzzy as the Tiny Felines Themselves

These moments from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest highlight curious kittens from around the world

Photographs selected by Donny Bajohr

a cat looks cup from the bushes
In the bushes on a summer day, the photographer’s cat plays and looks up at the camera. Sara Farver, Michigan, 2009

Kittens cannot see or hear when they are born, and they are all born with blue eyes, regardless of breed. Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up 15 photos of those kitties from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest. Some of these cats are beloved pets, some are wild baby animals, but all are the most adorable creatures you’ll see today. Scroll through to see the cutest fluffy kittens that are sure to warm your heart.

kittens came into the greenhouse
As summer came to an end and the gardens were being harvested, the photographer’s curious kittens came into the greenhouse to explore the wilted leaves in the warm light of the sun. Anna Berdina, Russia, 2021
kitten’s affection toward its mother.
This photograph was taken at the photographer’s doorstep in Nur, Iran. It captures a tender scene of a kitten’s affection toward its mother. Sepideh Haghpanah, Iran, 2025
A bobcat kitten hunts in Kalispell, Montana
A bobcat kitten hunts in Kalispell, Montana. Bobcats can be found across North America and are considered to be one of the continent’s most adaptable carnivore species.    Anita Erdmann, Montana, 2010
a volunteer holds a kitten that was found in the rubble
On September 23, 2025, a barrier lake in Hualien County, Taiwan, burst, submerging the small township of Guangfu in mud and water. Within hours, volunteers poured in from across Taiwan: students, retirees, construction workers. Here, a volunteer holds a kitten that was found in the rubble. Cahleen Hudson, Taiwan, 2025
Curious kittens peer through the window
Curious kittens peer through the window of an old house. Stu Sporn, Maryland, 2014
A litter of four Pallas’ cat kittens emerge gingerly into the golden ligh
A litter of four Pallas’ cat kittens emerge gingerly into the golden light of late evening in the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia, their gaze a mixture of curiosity and caution. Photographer Robin Biswas describes getting this shot as “a game of patience and long hours spent in a hide.” Robin Biswas, Mongolia, 2018
A kitten basks in the springtime sun.
A kitten basks in the springtime sun. Emily Schnipke, Ohio, 2011
Four kittens sleep on the floor of a coffee shop
Four kittens sleep on the floor of a coffee shop. “They have no mom, so they hugged each other,” photographer Idris Musa writes. “Just what brothers and sisters should be.” Idris Musa, Indonesia, 2022
A kitten observes dozens of small fish
A kitten observes dozens of small fish. “I was at a cat café when this kitten hopped onto the fish tank!” photographer Zihan Li writes. Zihan Li, China, 2025
A small kitten hides in a beaded doorway.
A small kitten hides in a beaded doorway. Alexandra Linn Desaulniers, France, 2009
Two horses at the a ranch investigate a small barn kitten
Two horses at the a ranch investigate a small barn kitten. Kathy Longinaker, New Mexico, 2009
a cat lounging on the foot of a sculpture
On the oversize foot of a sculpture in Florence, Italy, you may find a cat lounging. David Deamer, Italy, 2008
kitten looks into mirror
Mona Karin Brenna says her daughter captured this image of one of the family’s kittens. “[We] didn’t see the mirror[ed] picture before we saw the photos on our computer,” she writes. Mona Karin Brenna, Norway, 2017
Two brother kittens intertwine with each other while playing.
Two brother kittens intertwine with each other while playing. Leslie Ann O’Dell, Oregon, 2008

Donny Bajohr is the associate photography editor at Smithsonian. You can follow him on Instagram @donny_bajohr.

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