Short answer
Stool often floats because it contains extra gas, and that is usually from diet or a minor gut upset. Stool that is also greasy, pale, bulky, foul-smelling and leaves an oily film suggests fat is not being absorbed, called steatorrhea. Causes include celiac disease, pancreas problems and some infections. If it keeps happening, see a doctor.
Why does stool float?
Stool floats when it has a lot of gas in it or is less dense than water. Common, usually harmless reasons include eating more fiber, beans or gas-producing foods, swallowing air, lactose intolerance, and a short stomach bug. One floating stool is not a sign of disease.
What makes stool greasy or oily?
Greasy or oily stool usually means fat from food is not being absorbed properly.
Normally your body absorbs most fat from food. If it does not, fat passes into the stool, making it pale, greasy, bulky, and very foul-smelling. Possible causes include:
- Celiac disease. Damage to the small intestine lining after gluten.
- Pancreas problems. Chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or a blocked pancreatic duct mean too few digestive enzymes.
- Bile or liver problems. Too little bile to break down fat.
- Crohn's disease affecting the small intestine.
- Infections such as giardia.
- Weight-loss surgery and some medicines. The weight-loss drug orlistat causes oily stool by design, as does the fat substitute olestra.
- Very high-fat meals can occasionally cause a greasy stool.
What are the signs of fat malabsorption in stool?
Signs that stool contains too much fat (steatorrhea) include pale or yellow color, an oily film that is hard to flush, a very foul smell and bulky stool.
- Pale, yellow or clay-colored stool
- Oily film or droplets in the toilet that are hard to flush away
- Very foul smell, and bulky stool
- Weight loss, bloating, tiredness or frequent diarrhea
When should you see a doctor about greasy or floating stool?
See a doctor if greasy, oily or hard-to-flush stool keeps happening, especially with weight loss, bloating or diarrhea.
Usually harmless
- Occasional floating stool with no other change
Call a doctor
- Greasy, oily, hard-to-flush stool that keeps happening
- Floating, pale stool with weight loss, bloating or ongoing diarrhea
Get care now
- Greasy or pale stool with yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe upper belly pain
Warning signs to know
These are signs that published medical guidance says need prompt or urgent care. The list is not complete, and ticking boxes cannot tell you whether you are ill. If you are worried, contact a clinician whatever you tick.
Questions people ask
Is floating poop normal?
Usually yes. It is most often due to extra gas from food. See a doctor if it is greasy, pale and foul-smelling, and keeps happening.
Why is my poop greasy and oily?
Greasy stool means fat is passing through undigested. Causes include celiac disease, pancreas problems, bile problems and some infections or medicines.
Does floating stool mean I have too much fat?
Not necessarily. Gas is the most common reason. Fat in stool makes it greasy and pale as well as floating.
What is steatorrhea?
Steatorrhea is stool with too much fat. It is pale, greasy, bulky and foul-smelling, and often floats.
Sources
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