Brandwave

Iams vs Royal Canin:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Royal Canin had more branded searches than Iams among dog food brands worldwide. Royal Canin had about 550,000 branded searches, while Iams had 66,200. Royal Canin made up 39.1% of all dog food brand searches we track, and Iams accounted for 4.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about dog food brands, Royal Canin appeared in four of the five answers and Iams in three. Royal Canin was mentioned before Iams in every answer.

Among dog food brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Royal Canin, about 8 searches for every 1 for Iams

Royal Canin 550K searchesIams 66.2K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Royal Canin, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Iams in 3

Royal Canin in 4 of 5Iams in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Royal Canin, named ahead of Iams in every answer

Royal Canin first in 4Iams never first

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Top dog food brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Royal Canin was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Iams was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Royal Canin was listed before Iams in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Purina1st
  2. Hill's2nd
  3. Royal Canin3rd
  4. Iams4th
  5. Eukanuba5th
  6. Black Hawk–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Purina5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Royal Canin4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 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
  • Eukanuba1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Black Hawk0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about dog food brands

5 answers

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 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 dog food brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Iams and Royal Canin among dog food brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Royal Canin, Iams. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRoyal CaninHill'sPurinaBlack HawkIamsEukanuba
Oct 202540.3%33%12%8.1%3.6%3%
Nov 202541.2%33.7%10.1%8.3%3.7%3%
Dec 202540%32.7%12%8%4.4%2.9%
Jan 202640.5%33.1%9.9%9.9%3.6%3%
Feb 202640.2%32.9%12%8%4%3%
Mar 202648.1%26.3%9.7%9.7%3.9%2.4%
Apr 202637.7%30.8%11.3%13.8%3.7%2.8%
May 202639.6%32.4%11.9%9.7%3.5%2.9%
Jun 202639.4%32.3%11.8%9.7%3.9%2.9%
Jul 202639.4%32.3%11.8%9.7%3.9%2.9%
Aug 202644.2%29.5%10.8%8.9%4%2.7%
Sep 202639.1%32%11.7%9.6%4.7%2.9%

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 dog food brands worldwide moved from 3.6% to 4.7%, 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 dog food brands worldwide moved from 40.3% to 39.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 673K to 550K.

How did search popularity change for dog food brands worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Iams gained share of searches among dog food brands worldwide, from 4% to 4.7%.

  2. In September 2026, Royal Canin lost share of searches among dog food brands worldwide, from 44.2% to 39.1%.

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

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among dog food brands

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