How popular isHill's?
In September 2026, people searched for Hill's by name about 2,970 times in New Zealand, a 10.4% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 29.1% of all New Zealand kitten food brand searches, placing Hill's second out of four brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about kitten food brands, Hill's appeared in all answers and was the second most recommended of the four.
Hill's is the second most searched of 4 competitors and the second most recommended in AI answers.
Royal CaninShare of searches 34.7%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
Hill'sShare of searches 29.1%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
WhiskasShare of searches 28%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
PurinaShare of searches 8.2%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
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Top kitten food brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Hill's appeared in all five answers. Hill's is the second most recommended of the four.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Royal Canin1st
Hill's2nd
Purina3rd
Whiskas4th
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's5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Purina4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Whiskas1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about kitten food brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which kitten food brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best kitten food brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best kitten food brand in New Zealand for young cats?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best kitten food”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“dry kitten food”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Which kitten food brands compete with Hill's?
Share of searches by month for Royal Canin, Hill's, Whiskas, Purina. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Royal Canin | Hill's | Whiskas | Purina |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 37.4% | 28.9% | 26.2% | 7.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 34.4% | 32.5% | 24.2% | 8.8% |
| Dec 2025 | 38% | 24.8% | 27.4% | 9.8% |
| Jan 2026 | 35.1% | 22.6% | 30.7% | 11.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 35.4% | 25.3% | 30% | 9.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 36.2% | 28.2% | 26.2% | 9.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 37.2% | 24.8% | 28.1% | 9.9% |
| May 2026 | 34.3% | 27.1% | 28.1% | 10.5% |
| Jun 2026 | 33.6% | 27.5% | 28.5% | 10.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 33.9% | 23.6% | 32.7% | 9.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 34.3% | 26% | 31.5% | 8.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 34.7% | 29.1% | 28% | 8.2% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 34.7% | 3.1K | +1.9% | +0.4 points | |
| 2, moved from 3rd to 2nd | 29.1% | 2.6K | +12.8% | +3.1 pointsmoved from 3rd to 2nd | |
| 3, moved from 2nd to 3rd | 28% | 2.5K | -10.6% | -3.5 pointsmoved from 2nd to 3rd | |
| 4, held 4th | 8.2% | 740 | 0% | -0.1 points |
34.7%
Held 1st. 3.1K estimated branded searches, +1.9% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.
2.
Hill's29.1%
Moved from 3rd to 2nd. 2.6K estimated branded searches, +12.8% vs prior month. Share +3.1 points.
3.
Whiskas28%
Moved from 2nd to 3rd. 2.5K estimated branded searches, -10.6% vs prior month. Share -3.5 points.
4.
Purina8.2%
Held 4th. 740 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
Compare popularity between Hill's and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Hill's
7 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Hill's changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Hill's in New Zealand rose from 2.7K to 3K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hill's’ share of searches among kitten food brands in New Zealand peaked at 32.5% in November 2025 and was lowest at 22.6% in January 2026.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand kitten food brands in September 2026?
4 changes

In September 2026, Hill's overtook Whiskas to rank 2nd among kitten food brands in New Zealand, with 29.1% of the searches.

In September 2026, Whiskas lost share of searches among kitten food brands in New Zealand, from 31.5% to 28%.

Royal Canin’s share of searches among kitten food brands in New Zealand has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 33.6% to 34.7% in September 2026.

Purina’s share of searches among kitten food brands in New Zealand has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 10.5% to 8.2% in September 2026.
How are Hill's’ branded searches counted?
17 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hill's’ name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- hill's
- hill's cat food
- hill's dog food
- hill's pet food
- hills
- hills biome
- hills cat food
- hills derm complete
- hills digestive care
- hills dog food
- hills gastrointestinal biome
- hills metabolic
- hills metabolic mobility
- hills pet food
- hills prescription diet
- hills puppy food
- hills science diet
Do you work for Hill's? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Where does Hill's compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet food brands | 2nd of 8 | 20.7% | Show ranking |
| Kitten food brands | 2nd of 4 | 29.1% | Shown above |

Is Hill's your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.