Choline Chloride in dog and cat food

Is it OK for dogs and cats?

Dogs

Yes. Dogs need choline, and choline chloride is an authorised way to supply it. The EU allows it for all animals without a maximum, and US rules list it as generally recognised as safe in feed.

Cats

Yes. Cats need choline too, and FEDIAF's minimum for adult cats is higher than for dogs. In cats, too little choline in the diet is linked to fat building up in the liver.

How settled this is: No known concern at the amounts used in complete foods

What choline chloride is

Choline chloride (CAS 67-48-1) is the chloride salt of choline. The EU authorises two forms as nutritional additives: a water solution with at least 74% choline chloride, and a solid preparation with at least 50%. The active substance is made by chemical synthesis and must be at least 99% pure. One milligram of choline chloride supplies about 0.75 mg of choline.

Why it is in pet food

It is added to supply choline, which FEDIAF lists among the 'vitamin-like substances' in dog and cat food. Many animals make some choline in the liver, but not always enough, so it has traditionally been grouped with the B vitamins. In the liver, choline donates methyl groups, including through betaine for making methionine. It is also needed to make phosphatidylcholine, a part of cell membranes and of the particles (VLDL) that carry fat out of the liver.

What it does in the food

FEDIAF's 2025 minimum recommended levels per 100 g of dry matter are: adult dogs 164-189 mg (depending on energy needs) and growing dogs 170 mg; adult cats 240-320 mg and growing kittens 240 mg. FEDIAF lists no maximum for choline. Nutrient values are given as choline itself, not as choline chloride.

Safety and limits

EFSA's 2025 review concluded that choline chloride in animal feed remains safe for the target animals, consumers and the environment under the authorised conditions of use. In 2026 the EU renewed its authorisation for all animal species, with no minimum or maximum content, until 16 February 2036. In the US, 21 CFR 582.5252 lists choline chloride as generally recognised as safe when used in line with good manufacturing or feeding practice. The main caution is for workers. EFSA considers the active substance a potential skin and respiratory sensitiser, so EU rules require protective measures for people handling it. On the deficiency side, in cats too little dietary choline is associated with less phosphatidylcholine being made and fat building up in the liver. Dogs and cats have the same authorisation status.

What depends on the amount and the recipe

The amount needed per kg of food depends on the species, the life stage and how much the animal eats for its energy needs. Choline and methionine are linked through methyl-group metabolism, so the rest of the recipe matters too.

Not the same as

• Choline (nutrient value) — Nutrient tables give choline itself. One milligram of choline chloride supplies about 0.75 mg of choline, so the two numbers are not equal.
• Betaine — A compound made from choline in the body that also donates methyl groups. It is a separate ingredient.
• Phosphatidylcholine — A choline-containing compound the body makes from choline and uses in cell membranes and fat transport. It is a different substance from choline chloride.

Sources

1. 21 CFR 582.5252 Choline chloride (Substances generally recognized as safe, animal drugs, feeds and related products) — U.S. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), Office of the Federal Register, 2026. Choline chloride is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing or feeding practice.
2. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/164 renewing the authorisation of an aqueous solution of choline chloride and a preparation of choline chloride as feed additives for all animal species — EUR-Lex, Official Journal of the European Union, 2026. Choline chloride is authorised as a nutritional additive for all animal species, with no minimum or maximum content, until 16 February 2036. The forms are a solution of at least 74% and a preparation of at least 50%. It is made by chemical synthesis to at least 99% purity. EFSA found it remains safe; it is a potential skin and respiratory sensitiser for users, and protective measures are required.
3. EFSA FEEDAP Panel. Assessment of the feed additive consisting of choline chloride for all animal species for the renewal of its authorisation. EFSA Journal 23:e9264 — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal), 2025. Use in animal nutrition remains safe for target species, consumers and the environment. The active substance is a potential skin and respiratory sensitiser. It is produced by synthesis, and choline hydrochloride is listed as a synonym.
4. FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs (September 2025) — FEDIAF European Pet Food, 2025. Minimum recommended choline levels for dogs and cats by life stage, with no maximum listed. Choline is classed as a vitamin-like substance. Conversion: 1 mg choline chloride equals 0.75 mg choline (choline ion basis).
5. Verbrugghe A, Bakovic M. Peculiarities of one-carbon metabolism in the strict carnivorous cat and the role in feline hepatic lipidosis. Nutrients 5(7):2811-2835 — MDPI (peer-reviewed review), 2013. Choline is not a true vitamin because many animals make some in the liver, but it is traditionally grouped with the B vitamins. It acts as a methyl donor via betaine for methionine formation and is needed for phosphatidylcholine, a membrane component, and for VLDL. Suboptimal dietary choline is associated with lipid accumulation in the cat liver.

Checked against these sources on 2026-10-15. Definitions are in our own words. This is a reading aid, not veterinary advice: a vet who knows your animal comes first.