pawlidaycontest com
Your Pet Can Win $500 Just for Looking Cute This Holiday Season
Think your dog in a Santa hat is adorable? So do thousands of others. But there's a real shot at winning $500 in prizes if you share that photo in the annual Pawliday Contest. The Pawliday Contest (found at pawlidaycontest.com) is a yearly photo competition run by Purina and Instacart. It’s free to enter and easy to do.
What’s the deal with pawlidaycontest.com?
It’s pretty straightforward. Every year during the holidays, Purina and Instacart team up to launch a contest where pet owners can submit photos of their animals in holiday settings. Think pets in ugly sweaters, reindeer antlers, next to the menorah, or tangled in tinsel.
The site—pawlidaycontest.com—is the main hub. You upload your photo, fill out a short form, and you’re in. No fees. No complicated steps. Just a chance for your pet to win big.
What do winners actually get?
In 2024, the top prize was $500 worth of Purina and Instacart goodies. That’s split between pet food, toys, treats, and maybe some Instacart credit to make life easier for you too.
There are smaller prize tiers as well. One Instagram post mentioned a $150 bundle, probably for runner-ups. It’s not just one winner—multiple pets can get in on the fun.
Even if your pet doesn’t win, you still get to show them off on social media and browse hundreds of other hilarious or heart-melting submissions. Bragging rights are basically built-in.
Is it just cats and dogs?
Nope. While dogs in elf costumes and cats tangled in lights dominate the feed, the contest doesn’t discriminate. Rabbits, parrots, ferrets, and even lizards have made appearances. If it lives in your house and you dress it up for the holidays, it counts.
That said, quality helps. A blurry photo of your bearded dragon wearing a Santa hat might not cut it. Clean shots, good lighting, and a little creativity go a long way.
How do people hear about it?
Mostly Instagram and TikTok. You’ll see posts with the hashtag #PawlidayContest or something close. Influencers and pet accounts jump on it every year. Instacart and Purina promote it hard through their socials. One TikTok clip from a previous year showed a French bulldog in Christmas pajamas under a tree—it had thousands of views.
People tag their entries, share with friends, and vote when there’s a public favorite option (though final judging is usually handled by the brands).
When does this all happen?
The entry period usually runs from mid-November to mid-December. For 2024, the deadline to submit was December 16. Winners were announced around December 20. Just in time for the holidays.
Timing matters. If you try to enter in late December, you're probably already out of luck until next year.
Who’s behind it?
This isn’t some random internet sweepstakes. It’s backed by Purina, one of the biggest names in pet food, and Instacart, which handles grocery delivery, including pet supplies. Both companies benefit from the buzz, obviously—but it’s also just good brand storytelling.
For Purina, it's about celebrating pet families. For Instacart, it’s a soft reminder you can get pet food delivered in an hour without putting on real pants.
What makes a good entry?
Originality helps. A pug in a Santa hat is cute, but a pug with a Santa hat riding in a sleigh made of Amazon boxes is next-level.
Lighting is everything. Skip the flash if it makes your pet look like a haunted holiday ghost. Natural light wins. Also, add a caption. Something clever, short, and festive. It shows effort.
Most of all, make it fun. The judges see hundreds (maybe thousands) of entries. Personality stands out more than polish. A cat knocking down ornaments is more relatable than a stiff studio shot.
Why do people care?
Because it’s the holidays, and people love showing off their pets. It’s low-risk, high-reward fun. And if you win? That’s a few hundred dollars in pet supplies you won’t have to pay for.
Plus, there’s a community angle. The hashtag feed becomes a scrollable gallery of holiday cheer from households all over the country. Whether you win or not, you’re part of something fun and festive.
Can you game the system?
Not really. It’s not a popularity contest in the traditional sense. Public likes help build buzz, but the final call usually comes down to judges from the brands.
Bots won’t help. Buying likes won’t matter. What will help is a solid photo, good timing, and tapping into whatever the judges are looking for that year—be it humor, heart, or creativity.
Worth entering?
Absolutely. It costs nothing. Takes less than 10 minutes. And gives you an excuse to dress up your pet and share the results.
At worst, you get some cute photos and some social likes. At best, you score hundreds in pet prizes and get featured on major brand channels.
For pet owners who treat their animals like family (so, basically everyone), it's a fun yearly tradition worth marking on the calendar.
The Pawliday Contest is simple, smart, and genuinely fun. And hey, if your dog is already wearing a sweater and sitting by the tree, you’re halfway there.
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