How popular isRoyal Canin?
In September 2026, people searched for Royal Canin by name about 82,700 times in the United States, an 18.1% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 7.8% of all United States cat food brand searches, placing Royal Canin seventh out of 15 brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cat food brands, Royal Canin appeared in four of the five answers and was the third most recommended of the 15.
Royal Canin is the seventh most searched of 15 competitors and the third most recommended in AI answers.
SmallsShare of searches 17.3%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
FriskiesShare of searches 9.5%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
Fancy FeastShare of searches 7.8%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
IamsShare of searches 7.8%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 9th
Royal CaninShare of searches 7.8%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
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Top cat 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 two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Royal Canin is the third most recommended of the 15.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Hill's1st
Purina Pro Plan2nd
Royal Canin3rd
Smalls4th
Fancy Feast4th
Purina ONE6th
Weruva7th
Blue Buffalo8th
Iams9th
Meow Mix9th- +5 more
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Royal Canin4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Purina Pro Plan4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Hill's4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Purina ONE2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Smalls1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Fancy Feast1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Iams1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Meow Mix1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Blue Buffalo1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Weruva1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about cat food brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cat food?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cat food do vets recommend?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Is fresh cat food better than kibble?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cat food”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best cat food”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 27, 2026.
Which cat food brands compete with Royal Canin?
Share of searches by month for Smalls, Friskies, Fancy Feast, Iams, Meow Mix, Purina ONE, Royal Canin, Sheba, Blue Buffalo, Purina Pro Plan, Tiki Cat, Hill's, Wellness, Weruva. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Smalls | Friskies | Fancy Feast | Iams | Meow Mix | Purina ONE | Royal Canin | Sheba | Blue Buffalo | Purina Pro Plan | Tiki Cat | Hill's | Wellness | Weruva | 9Lives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 21.4% | 7.9% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 11.7% | 5.2% | 6.4% | 11.7% | 3.5% | 0.84% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 0.84% |
| Nov 2025 | 18.3% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 12.2% | 5.5% | 6.7% | 15% | 3.7% | 0.88% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 0.73% |
| Dec 2025 | 19% | 7% | 5.7% | 7% | 5.7% | 7% | 12.7% | 5.7% | 7% | 12.7% | 3.8% | 0.91% | 2.8% | 2.5% | 0.75% |
| Jan 2026 | 19.7% | 7.2% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 10.8% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 16.1% | 3.9% | 0.96% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 0.77% |
| Feb 2026 | 19.9% | 7.3% | 6% | 7.3% | 6% | 6% | 10.9% | 6% | 7.3% | 13.3% | 3.3% | 1.2% | 2.4% | 2.2% | 0.96% |
| Mar 2026 | 21.8% | 8% | 5.3% | 6.6% | 5.3% | 6.6% | 8% | 5.3% | 6.6% | 14.6% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 3.1% | 1.9% | 0.86% |
| Apr 2026 | 23.1% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 6.9% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 15.5% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 2.5% | 1.1% |
| May 2026 | 22.2% | 8.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 6.7% | 8.1% | 6.7% | 5.4% | 14.9% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 2% | 2.4% | 1.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 16.9% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 9.2% | 9.2% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 11.3% | 4.1% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 2.2% | 0.82% |
| Jul 2026 | 16.3% | 7.3% | 6% | 7.3% | 6% | 8.9% | 10.9% | 7.3% | 6% | 10.9% | 4% | 3.3% | 2.4% | 2.7% | 0.79% |
| Aug 2026 | 16.1% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 5.9% | 10.7% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 2.4% | 2.6% | 0.78% |
| Sep 2026 | 17.3% | 9.5% | 7.8% | 7.8% | 7.8% | 7.8% | 7.8% | 7.8% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 5.2% | 2.8% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 1% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 17.3% | 49.5K | 0% | +1.3 points | |
| 2, moved from 3rd to 2nd | 9.5% | 27.1K | 0% | +0.7 pointsmoved from 3rd to 2nd | |
| 3, moved from 5th to 3rd | 7.8% | 22.2K | 0% | +0.6 pointsmoved from 5th to 3rd | |
| 4, moved from 6th to 4th | 7.8% | 22.2K | 0% | +0.6 pointsmoved from 6th to 4th | |
| 5, moved from 7th to 5th | 7.8% | 22.2K | 0% | +0.6 pointsmoved from 7th to 5th | |
| 6, moved from 4th to 6th | 7.8% | 22.2K | -18.1% | -1 pointsmoved from 4th to 6th | |
| 7, moved from 8th to 7th | 7.8% | 22.2K | 0% | +0.6 pointsmoved from 8th to 7th | |
| 8, moved from 9th to 8th | 7.8% | 22.2K | 0% | +0.6 pointsmoved from 9th to 8th | |
| 9, moved from 10th to 9th | 6.3% | 18.1K | 0% | +0.5 pointsmoved from 10th to 9th | |
| 10, moved from 2nd to 10th | 6.3% | 18.1K | -45.3% | -4.4 pointsmoved from 2nd to 10th | |
| 11, held 11th | 5.2% | 14.8K | 0% | +0.4 points | |
| 12, held 12th | 2.8% | 8.1K | -18.2% | -0.4 points | |
| 13, moved from 14th to 13th | 2.6% | 7.3K | 0% | +0.2 pointsmoved from 14th to 13th | |
| 14, moved from 13th to 14th | 2.3% | 6.6K | -18.5% | -0.3 pointsmoved from 13th to 14th | |
| 15, held 15th | 1% | 2.9K | +20.8% | +0.2 points |
1.
Smalls17.3%
Held 1st. 49.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.3 points.
2.
Friskies9.5%
Moved from 3rd to 2nd. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
7.8%
Moved from 5th to 3rd. 22.2K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.
4.
Iams7.8%
Moved from 6th to 4th. 22.2K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.
5.
Meow Mix7.8%
Moved from 7th to 5th. 22.2K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.
7.8%
Moved from 4th to 6th. 22.2K estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share -1 points.
7.8%
Moved from 8th to 7th. 22.2K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.
8.
Sheba7.8%
Moved from 9th to 8th. 22.2K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.
6.3%
Moved from 10th to 9th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.5 points.
6.3%
Moved from 2nd to 10th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, -45.3% vs prior month. Share -4.4 points.
11.
Tiki Cat5.2%
Held 11th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.
12.
Hill's2.8%
Held 12th. 8.1K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
13.
Wellness2.6%
Moved from 14th to 13th. 7.3K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
14.
Weruva2.3%
Moved from 13th to 14th. 6.6K estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.
15.
9Lives1%
Held 15th. 2.9K estimated branded searches, +20.8% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
Compare popularity between Royal Canin and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Royal Canin
26 comparisons
- Open Farm vs Royal Canin
- Purina vs Royal Canin
- Royal Canin vs The Farmer's Dog
- Blue Buffalo vs Royal Canin
- Ollie vs Royal Canin
- Royal Canin vs Spot & Tango
- Hill's vs Royal Canin
- Pedigree vs Royal Canin
- Fancy Feast vs Royal Canin
- Friskies vs Royal Canin
- Iams vs Royal Canin
- Meow Mix vs Royal Canin
- Orijen vs Royal Canin
- Purina ONE vs Royal Canin
- Royal Canin vs Sheba
- Royal Canin vs Smalls
- Acana vs Royal Canin
- Purina Pro Plan vs Royal Canin
- Royal Canin vs Tiki Cat
- Royal Canin vs Stella & Chewy’s
- Merrick vs Royal Canin
- Royal Canin vs Taste of the Wild
- Farmina vs Royal Canin
- Royal Canin vs Wellness
- Royal Canin vs Weruva
- 9Lives vs Royal Canin
How has branded search demand for Royal Canin changed in the United States over the last 12 months?
4 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Royal Canin in the United States fell from 101K to 82.7K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Royal Canin’s share of searches among cat food brands in the United States decreased from 11.7% to 7.8%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Royal Canin’s share of searches among cat food brands in the United States peaked at 12.7% in December 2025 and was lowest at 6.9% in April 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Royal Canin fell from 3rd to 7th among cat food brands in the United States.
How did search popularity change for United States cat food brands in September 2026?
6 changes

In September 2026, Friskies overtook Purina Pro Plan to rank 2nd among cat food brands in the United States, with 9.5% of the searches.

In September 2026, Fancy Feast overtook Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE to rank 3rd among cat food brands in the United States, with 7.8% of the searches.

In September 2026, Iams overtook Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE to rank 4th among cat food brands in the United States, with 7.8% of the searches.

In September 2026, Meow Mix overtook Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE to rank 5th among cat food brands in the United States, with 7.8% of the searches.

In September 2026, Royal Canin overtook Purina Pro Plan to rank 7th among cat food brands in the United States, with 7.8% of the searches.

In September 2026, Sheba overtook Purina Pro Plan to rank 8th among cat food brands in the United States, with 7.8% of the searches.
How are Royal Canin’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Royal Canin’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.
- royal canin cat food
- royal canin dog food
Who owns Royal Canin?
Royal Canin is owned by
Mars. Brandwave also tracks
Banfield Pet Hospital,
BluePearl Pet Hospital,
M&M's,
Pedigree,
Sheba,
Snickers,
Starburst,
Twix and
VCA Animal Hospitals, owned by the same company, in the United States.
Do you work for Royal Canin? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Where does Royal Canin compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog food brands | 4th of 15 | 9.7% | Show ranking |
| Cat food brands | 7th of 15 | 7.8% | Shown above |

Is Royal Canin 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.