Iams vs Royal Canin:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Royal Canin had more branded searches than Iams among cat food brands worldwide. Royal Canin had about 550,000 branded searches, while Iams had 66,200. Royal Canin made up 42.5% of all cat food brand searches we track, and Iams accounted for 5.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cat food brands, Royal Canin appeared in all five answers and Iams in three. Iams and Royal Canin were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Royal Canin, about 8 searches for every 1 for Iams
Who does AI mention more?
Royal Canin, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
Follow Iams vs Royal Canin and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top cat food brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Royal Canin appeared in all five answers. Iams was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Iams and Royal Canin were each listed first in two of the four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Hill's1st
Iams2nd- Royal Canin3rd
Fancy Feast4th
Whiskas–
ZIWI Peak–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Royal Canin5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Hill's4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Iams3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Fancy Feast2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Whiskas0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- ZIWI Peak0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about cat food brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cat food brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cat food brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cat food brand for daily feeding?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cat food brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best cat food”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Iams or Royal Canin more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Iams and Royal Canin by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six cat food brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Royal Canin, Iams. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Royal Canin | Hill's | Whiskas | Iams | Fancy Feast | ZIWI Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 44.4% | 36.3% | 10.9% | 4% | 2.7% | 1.8% |
| Nov 2025 | 44.1% | 36.1% | 10.8% | 3.9% | 2.7% | 2.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 42.9% | 35.1% | 12.9% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 1.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 44.4% | 36.3% | 10.9% | 4% | 2.7% | 1.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 43% | 35.2% | 12.9% | 4.2% | 2.6% | 2% |
| Mar 2026 | 52.4% | 28.6% | 10.5% | 4.2% | 2.6% | 1.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 43% | 35.1% | 12.9% | 4.2% | 2.6% | 2.2% |
| May 2026 | 42.9% | 35.1% | 12.9% | 3.8% | 3.2% | 2.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 43% | 35.2% | 12.9% | 4.2% | 2.6% | 2% |
| Jul 2026 | 42.8% | 35% | 12.8% | 4.2% | 3.1% | 2% |
| Aug 2026 | 47.3% | 31.6% | 11.6% | 4.2% | 3.5% | 1.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.5% | 34.8% | 12.7% | 5.1% | 3.1% | 1.8% |
How has the Iams and Royal Canin comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Royal Canin was ahead of Iams in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Iams’ share of searches among cat food brands worldwide moved from 4% to 5.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 60.2K to 66.2K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Royal Canin’s share of searches among cat food brands worldwide moved from 44.4% to 42.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 673K to 550K.
How did search popularity change for cat food brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Iams gained share of searches among cat food brands worldwide, from 4.2% to 5.1%.
In September 2026, Royal Canin lost share of searches among cat food brands worldwide, from 47.3% to 42.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Iams’ and Royal Canin’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Iams
2 branded search terms
- iams
- iams cat food
Royal Canin
1 branded search term
- royal canin
Other head-to-heads among cat food brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.