KONG vs SmartyKat:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, KONG had more branded searches than SmartyKat among cat toy brands worldwide. KONG had about 64,300 branded searches, while SmartyKat had 5,400. KONG made up 62.3% of all cat toy brand searches we track, and SmartyKat accounted for 5.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cat toy brands, KONG and SmartyKat each appeared in three of the five answers. KONG and SmartyKat were each mentioned first in two of the four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
KONG, about 12 searches for every 1 for SmartyKat
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
Follow KONG vs SmartyKat 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 toy brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, KONG was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. SmartyKat was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. KONG and SmartyKat were each listed first in two of the four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Cat Dancer5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- KONG3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
SmartyKat3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Go Cat3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Petstages2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Yeowww!2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Catit1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Trixie1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Hartz0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about cat toy brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cat toy brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cat toy brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cat toy brand for active play?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best cat toys”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“interactive cat toys”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is KONG or SmartyKat more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for KONG and SmartyKat by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine cat toy brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for KONG, SmartyKat. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | KONG | Catit | SmartyKat | Cat Dancer | Trixie | Go Cat | Petstages | Yeowww! | Hartz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 67.7% | 19.1% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 2% | 1.3% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.51% |
| Nov 2025 | 73.5% | 15% | 3% | 3% | 1.6% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.22% |
| Dec 2025 | 71.8% | 14.7% | 2.9% | 5.4% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.14% |
| Jan 2026 | 70.4% | 17.6% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1.5% | 1.1% | 1.2% | 1% | 0.17% |
| Feb 2026 | 69.8% | 17.4% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0.16% |
| Mar 2026 | 70.4% | 17% | 4.1% | 2.8% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.16% |
| Apr 2026 | 66.9% | 19.7% | 4.8% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.19% |
| May 2026 | 63.3% | 21.8% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 1.9% | 1.3% | 0.21% |
| Jun 2026 | 64.1% | 22.1% | 4.4% | 2.9% | 2% | 1.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.21% |
| Jul 2026 | 61.8% | 20.3% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 2.1% | 1.6% | 1.7% | 1.5% | 0.24% |
| Aug 2026 | 66.2% | 18.7% | 5.6% | 3% | 2.1% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.18% |
| Sep 2026 | 62.3% | 21.5% | 5.2% | 4.3% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.2% |
How has the KONG and SmartyKat comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- KONG was ahead of SmartyKat in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KONG’s share of searches among cat toy brands worldwide moved from 67.7% to 62.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 78.6K to 64.3K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SmartyKat’s share of searches among cat toy brands worldwide moved from 3.8% to 5.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.4K to 5.4K.
How did search popularity change for cat toy brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, KONG lost share of searches among cat toy brands worldwide, from 66.2% to 62.3%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for SmartyKat worldwide rose 22.7% over 12 measured months, from 4.4K to 5.4K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using KONG’s and SmartyKat’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.
Other head-to-heads among cat toy 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.