Poop can float due to eating foods that produce a lot of gas or a condition that causes malabsorption. Your stool absorbs gas or fat, which makes it float.
You will usually see poop sink to the bottom of the toilet, but it is normal for poop to float now and then.
Floating poop is often a sign of excess gas or dietary changes. Stools that float are sometimes a sign of an infection or a condition.
Poop may float for a few reasons. Some of these causes may work together or separately to cause floating poop.
Excess Gas
Extra gas can end up in the digestive tract if you swallow too much air, known as aerophagia. The swallowed air may come from consuming fizzy drinks or chewing gum.
Fiber
Fiber from foods you eat will pass through the small intestine undigested and into the large intestine (colon), where bacteria break it down.
Gases are released into the colon and can get trapped in the stool, making it buoyant (able to float).
High-fiber foods include:
- Beans, peas, and lentils
- Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and collard greens
- Fruits, such as apples and pears
- Whole grains
High Fat Content
Floating poop may indicate steatorrhea (oily stool). Your stool may also be large, pale, and have an unpleasant odor.
Eating fatty foods or having conditions that affect fat digestion can cause steatorrhea. Even a tiny amount of fat you eat could end up in your poop due to malabsorption.
Sugar Intolerances
People with certain intolerances cannot digest sugars, which may cause extra gas in the colon. Common sugar intolerances include:
- Fructose: Found in fruits and juices
- Lactose: Found in milk, ice cream, yogurt, and cheese
- Sorbitol: Found in “sugar-free” items, such as chewing gum
Some conditions may cause your poop to float, such as bile duct blockages, celiac disease, or those that affect the pancreas.
Bile Acid-Related Conditions
Without enough bile to break down food, excess fat ends up in your stool and makes it float. Conditions that may reduce the amount of bile include:
- Gallbladder removal: Changes in bile production and fat absorption may lead to diarrhea and floating poop.
- Gallstones: Gallstones are hardened deposits of bile that build up in the gallbladder.
- Liver failure: May cause decreased bile production.
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis: This can cause scarring and block the liver, which produces bile.
Bile Duct Blockages
Conditions that block the bile duct may allow fat to build up and cause your poop to float.
Bile duct blockages may cause a build-up of bilirubin, a dark yellow-brown substance in bile. High bilirubin levels may cause jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that damages the small intestine in response to gluten. This condition can lower the small intestine’s ability to absorb fats and other nutrients.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. It may cause malabsorption, which can lead to floating poop.
Infections
Gastrointestinal infections can keep your body from absorbing fat. The extra fat content may end up in your stools and cause them to float.
One of these infections is giardiasis, which is caused by a parasite in the intestines. Another is Whipple’s disease, a bacterial infection that affects the ability to digest fats and carbohydrates.
Pancreas-Damaging Conditions
Conditions that damage the pancreas and may cause fatty stools that float include:
- Chronic pancreatitis: The pancreas is inflamed or swells for an extended period.
- Cystic fibrosis: Mucus blocks the passages of the pancreas and prevents it from working properly.
Both can lead to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), in which the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes to break down fat.
Floating poop is generally nothing to worry about, especially if you have been eating more high-fiber or fatty foods. It will likely resolve without any treatment.
Floating poop can sometimes be a sign of a condition that needs treatment. This symptom alone is usually not a sign of a condition. It is important to see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
You may be able to prevent your stools from floating with simple habit shifts. Treatments may be available to prevent complications from conditions like Crohn’s disease and EPI.
Change Your Diet
Keeping a food diary can help you figure out if you’re eating too much fat or fiber. Note what foods result in your poop floating and limit or eliminate them from your diet.
Monitor Your Bowel Habits
Note any changes to your stool and bowel habits if your poop floats regularly. Keep track of what your poop looks like and if you are pooping more or less frequently.
See a healthcare provider if you notice differences in your bowel habits. Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms like:
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Anemia (may cause you to feel tired, cold, dizzy, or irritable)
- Bloating
- Bloody stools with fever or dizziness
- Jaundice
- Nausea
- Unintentional weight loss
- Vitamin or mineral deficiencies
