Brandwave

Royal Canin vs Whiskas:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Royal Canin had more branded searches than Whiskas among pet food brands in New Zealand. Royal Canin had about 3,150 branded searches, while Whiskas had 2,560. Royal Canin made up 22% of all pet food brand searches we track, and Whiskas accounted for 17.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pet food brands, Royal Canin appeared in all five answers and Whiskas in none.

Among pet food brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Royal Canin, about 23% more searches than Whiskas

Royal Canin 3.1K searchesWhiskas 2.6K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Royal Canin, mentioned in every answer we collected

Royal Canin in 5 of 5Whiskas in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Royal Canin, the only one of the two named

Royal Canin first in 5Whiskas never named

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Top pet food brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Royal Canin appeared in all five answers. Whiskas did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Royal Canin1st
  2. ZIWI Peak2nd
  3. Black Hawk3rd
  4. Hill's4th
  5. K9 Natural5th
  6. Purina6th
  7. Whiskas–
  8. Pedigree–

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
  • ZIWI Peak5 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
  • Purina3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Black Hawk3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • K9 Natural3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Whiskas0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Pedigree0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about pet food brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Royal Canin or Whiskas more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Royal Canin and Whiskas by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight pet food brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Royal Canin and Whiskas among pet food brands in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRoyal CaninHill'sWhiskasPurinaZIWI PeakBlack HawkPedigreeK9 Natural
Oct 202523.7%20.4%16.7%13.9%12%6.7%4.7%2%
Nov 202521.5%22.8%15.3%13.9%12.5%7.5%4.3%2.2%
Dec 202523.8%17.7%17.3%14.9%11.7%7.8%4.4%2.3%
Jan 202621.5%16%18.9%18.7%11.5%6.8%4.2%2.5%
Feb 202622.1%18.4%18.9%15.8%12.2%6.9%3.3%2.5%
Mar 202623.1%20.7%16.9%16.8%10.2%6.6%3.5%2.1%
Apr 202623.6%18%18%17.8%9.8%6.9%3.7%2.2%
May 202621.8%19.9%18%17.8%9.8%6.5%3.8%2.4%
Jun 202621.5%20.2%18.3%16.8%10.6%6.5%3.8%2.4%
Jul 202621.3%16.9%20.7%16.5%10.8%7.1%4.9%1.8%
Aug 202621.4%18.7%19.8%15.5%11.3%6.9%4.4%1.8%
Sep 202622%20.7%17.9%14.4%9.4%9.1%4.3%2.2%

How has the Royal Canin and Whiskas comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Royal Canin was ahead of Whiskas in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Royal Canin’s share of searches among pet food brands in New Zealand moved from 23.7% to 22%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 3.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Whiskas’ share of searches among pet food brands in New Zealand moved from 16.7% to 17.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.2K to 2.6K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand pet food brands in September 2026?

3 changes

  1. In September 2026, Hill's overtook Whiskas to rank 2nd among pet food brands in New Zealand, with 20.7% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Royal Canin gained share of searches among pet food brands in New Zealand, from 21.4% to 22%.

  3. In September 2026, Whiskas lost share of searches among pet food brands in New Zealand, from 19.8% to 17.9%.

How are branded searches counted?

11 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Royal Canin’s and Whiskas’ 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.

Royal Canin

5 branded search terms

  • royal canin
  • royal canin gi
  • royal canin hypo
  • royal canin kitten
  • royalcanin

Whiskas

6 branded search terms

  • cat biscuits whiskas
  • cat whiskas food
  • whiskas
  • whiskas dog food
  • whiskas kitten food
  • whiskas pet food

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among pet food brands

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