Plant-Based Phosphatidylcholine: A Natural Alternative to Choline Chloride in Dog and Cat Food

Plant-Based Sources: A Growing Alternative

Despite its nutritional effectiveness, choline chloride presents several technological limitations. It is a highly hygroscopic compound that promotes the degradation of water-soluble vitamins in premixes, as increased free moisture enhances its reactive potential (FARINA et al., 2017). Its use may also contribute to caking, compromising mix homogeneity and potentially leading to nutrient losses (LISBOA et al., 2014).

In response to these challenges, plant-based sources of choline have attracted growing interest in canine and feline nutrition. Phosphatidylcholine is the primary form of choline found in plant-derived raw materials (National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, 2008) and has emerged as a potential alternative to choline chloride in dog and cat food formulations.

More publisher content

Insects in Dogs and Cats Feeding: Composition, Application, and Functional Benefits

Erika Stasieniuk

Phosphatidylcholine: Differences in Absorption and Metabolism
Beyond its technological advantages, the chemical form of choline may influence its absorption and utilization. When consumed in its free form or as a salt, such as choline chloride, its utilization may be limited since approximately two-thirds of ingested choline can be converted into trimethylamine by the intestinal microbiota before it is absorbed, potentially reducing its biological availability (LEESON; SUMMERS, 2001; COMBS JR., 2008; RUTZ, 2008).

Phosphatidylcholine, however, behaves differently in the gastrointestinal tract. Although it undergoes partial digestion by digestive enzymes, part of the molecule can also be absorbed without alteration, reducing its exposure to microbial metabolism in the intestine (COMBS JR., 2008). This characteristic may improve the body's utilization of choline, making plant-based choline sources an attractive alternative for supplementation.

In recent years, several studies have investigated the feasibility and safety of replacing choline chloride with plant-based choline sources in canine nutrition.

Scientific Evidence in Dogs: Safety and Effectiveness of Replacement

Nascimento (2020) evaluated healthy adult dogs fed with diets containing either 0.28% choline chloride or 0.14% plant-based choline. The results showed that replacing choline chloride did not affect nutrient digestibility, palatability, or fecal characteristics. In addition, dogs receiving the plant-based choline source exhibited lower serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as lower liver enzyme markers, suggesting additional benefits for lipid metabolism and liver health.
 

Mendoza-Martínez et al. (2021) also investigated whether dietary supplementation with choline derived from herbal sources, including Azadirachta indica—a plant known for its bitter taste—could interfere with diet palatability. Results demonstrated that including up to 400 mg/kg of plant-based choline did not affect food preference, nutrient digestibility, or fecal quality in dogs.

The same research group later demonstrated that supplementing diets with phosphatidylcholine (1.6%) and other methylated metabolites can completely replace choline chloride in dog diets (Mendoza-Martínez et al., 2022). The researchers adopted the conversion ratio proposed by Mallo and Paolella (2017), which states that one unit of plant-based choline can replace approximately five units of choline chloride.

More recently, FINARDI et al. (2026) evaluated the effects of the complete replacement of choline chloride with plant-based choline (CHOLMAX) in healthy adult dogs. The study compared a control diet containing choline chloride with two plant-based choline diets at different inclusion levels. The results showed that replacing choline chloride did not affect nutrient digestibility or diet palatability. Likewise, no changes were observed in intestinal fermentation metabolites or fecal microbiota diversity indices. However, intestinal microbial composition varied among diets, with changes observed at the phylum, family, and genus levels, particularly among Firmicutes, a group associated with fatty acid production and intestinal health. The authors concluded that plant-based choline is a safe and promising alternative for use in dog food.

New Perspectives for Feline Nutrition and the Pet Food Industry

In a pioneering study involving healthy adult cats, Juárez (unpublished data, 2026) evaluated three experimental diets: a control diet containing choline chloride, a diet in which choline chloride was completely replaced by plant-based choline (CHOLMAX), and a third diet containing 50% more plant-based choline (CHOLMAX) than the replacement diet. Preliminary results showed no differences in nutrient digestibility, diet palatability, or intestinal fermentation metabolites. 

On the other hand, changes were observed in the composition of the intestinal microbiota among treatments, including shifts in bacterial phyla, families, and genera. Among the findings, a reduction in the genus Helicobacter was observed in the groups receiving plant-based choline. According to Cesar (2024), certain species within this genus have been associated with inflammatory processes in the feline gastrointestinal tract. Although additional research is needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms, these findings suggest that plant-based choline may have a beneficial effect on maintaining intestinal microbiota balance in cats.

Plant-based choline therefore represents an attractive alternative for the pet food industry, combining technological and nutritional advantages. In addition to minimizing the technological challenges associated with choline chloride, plant-derived sources have demonstrated the potential to maintain nutritional performance while supporting animal health.

As demand continues to grow for naturally sourced ingredients and technologies that add value to pet food formulations, plant-based choline is emerging as a promising solution for the industry, combining technological, nutritional, and potentially functional benefits for dog and cat food.

By Erika Stasieniuk and Hebert Silveira
Source: All Pet Food Magazine

About the authors
**Erika Stasieniuk is a zootechnician with a doctorate in canine and feline nutrition from UFMG. Holding more than 16 years of experience in dog and cat nutrition, she works in Research and Development, food formulation, premixes and nuclei. She is the founder of SFA Consultoria and works as technical consultant in the development of pet food and ingredients. Contact: erika_stasieniuk@sfa-consultoria.com | Instagram: @erikastasieniuk

***Hebert Silveira is agronomist with a doctorate in Animal Nutrition from Universidad de Lavras (UFLA). He is Technical Director at Natural BR Feed. Contact hebertsilveira@naturalbrfeed.com.br

References
 BERTECHINI, A. G. Nutrición de los monogástricos. 2. ed. Lavras: Editora UFLA, 2013.
CESAR, C. G. L. Efectos de la inclusión de harina de insectos en la comida seca completa sobre variables de procesamiento, digestibilidad, palatabilidad, productos de la fermentación fecal y microbiota de gatos adultos. Tesis (Máster en Nutrición y Producción Animal) – Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Ciencias Animales, Universidad de São Paulo, Pirassununga, 2024.
COMBS JR., G. F. Las vitaminas: aspectos fundamentales en nutrición y salud. 3ª ed. Burlington: Elsevier Academic Press, 2008.
FARINA, G.; KESSLER, A. M.; MAIORKA, A.; ROCHA, C. S. S.; VASCONCELLOS, R. S. Aspectos tecnológicos del uso del cloruro de colina en premezclas vitamínicas. En: SIMPOSIO SOBRE NUTRICIÓN DE PERROS Y GATOS, 2017.
FERREIRA, W. M.; NETO, A. F. G. Nutrición animal: temas avanzados. Belo Horizonte: FEPMVZ Editora, 2003.
FINARDI, G. L. F.; MARCHI, P. H.; SOUZA, J. M.; DIAS, L. S.; STASIENIUK, E. V. Z.; SILVEIRA, H.; BALIEIRO, J. C. C.; VENDRAMINI, T. H. A. Efectos de la inclusión de colina de origen vegetal sobre variables digestivas, hepáticas, lípidas, fermentativas, microbiota fecal y palatabilidad en perros adultos. En: CONGRESSO CBNA PET, 25 de 2026, São Paulo. Anales... São Paulo: CBNA, 2026.
JUÁREZ, L. Efectos de la inclusión de colina de origen vegetal sobre las variables digestivas, hepáticas, lipídicas y fermentativas, la microbiota fecal y sérica y la palatabilidad de gatos adultos. Tesis (Máster en Nutrición y Producción Animal) – Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Ciencias Animales, Universidad de São Paulo, Pirassununga, 2026. Datos no publicados.
LEESON, S.; SUMMERS, J. D. Nutrición del pollo por parte de Scott. 4. ed. Guelph: University Books, 2001.
LISBOA, M. M.; ALBINO, L. F. T.; ROSTAGNO, H. S. Aspectos tecnológicos relacionados con el uso de cloruro de colina en premezclas vitamínicas. Revista Eletrônica Nutritime, v. 11, n. 4, p. 3607-3615, 2014.
MALLO, JUEZ JUEZ; PAOLELLA, M. Suplementación con colina en la nutrición de mascotas: fuentes herbales como alternativa al cloruro de colina. En: PETFOOD FORUM, 2017.
MENDOZA-MARTÍNEZ, G. D.; HERNÁNDEZ-MARTÍNEZ, C. A.; MARTÍNEZ-AYALA, A. L.; y demás. Efecto de la inclusión de fosfatidilcolina herbal en la palatabilidad, digestibilidad y energía metabolizable de la dieta en perros. Austral Journal of Veterinary Sciences, vol. 53, p. 161-167, 2021.
MENDOZA-MARTÍNEZ, G. D. et al. Colina herbal como sustituto del cloruro de colina en los alimentos para perros: efectos sobre la digestibilidad, los rasgos fecales y la palatabilidad. Animales, v. 12, n. 9, 2022.
NASCIMENTO, R. C. Evaluación de una fuente herbal de colina como alternativa al cloruro de colina en la dieta de perros. Tesis doctoral (Máster en Ciencias Animales) – Universidad Federal de Paraná, Curitiba, 2020.
DEPARTAMENTO DE AGRICULTURA DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS (USDA). Base de Datos Nacional de Nutrientes para Referencia Estándar. Lanzamiento 21. Beltsville, 2008.
RUTZ, F. La colina y sus metabolitos en la nutrición animal. En: SIMPOSIO INTERNACIONAL DE ACAV SOBRE NUTRICIÓN, 2008.