Why Is My Poop Orange? Causes & When It’s Serious

Key takeaways:

• Orange poop is usually harmless and is often caused by foods or supplements.
• Some digestive issues can also lead to orange poop.
• Knowing when you should consult a doctor about orange poop will make sure you get any underlying health problems taken care of and promptly treated.

Orange is a very unusual color for poop, and if you are seeing this, it’s quite natural to be alarmed. Most of the time, orange poop is harmless. Causes range from foods you may have eaten to changes in your digestive system. Usually, orange poop goes away on its own, but if it doesn’t or you have other symptoms that go along with it, this could indicate a health problem.

Let’s explore some common causes of orange poop, your treatment options, and when it’s best to reach out to your healthcare provider for a consultation.

Is orange poop normal?

While it’s not the usual color of normal stool, orange poop is usually harmless and is often the result of your diet or certain supplements. Foods rich in beta-carotene, like carrots and sweet potatoes, can lead to orange-colored poop if eaten in large quantities.

If the orange stool persists or you also have symptoms such as stomach pain or vomiting, then this needs to be evaluated by your healthcare provider.

Causes of orange poop

Here are some common causes of orange poop.

Dietary choices

A diet high in foods containing the pigment beta-carotene, found in foods such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin, can result in an orange poop.

Artificial orange coloring in foods, such as orange-colored candy or drinks, can also temporarily change your stool color to orange.

Bile duct obstruction

Bile, a greenish digestive fluid produced in your liver and stored in your gallbladder, helps break down fats. Normally, the bile is released from your gallbladder through the bile duct and into the upper part of your small intestine.

As it travels through your intestines, it gradually turns from green to brown. If your bile flow is restricted due to an obstruction in your bile duct, your poop may appear lighter in color, clay-colored or orange. This condition may require medical evaluation if symptoms persist. Treatment for a blocked bile duct will depend on the cause of the blockage.

Medications and supplements

Certain medications, like antacids containing aluminum hydroxide, can sometimes change the color of your poop to orange.

Some supplements, especially those with high beta-carotene levels, can also be responsible for orange poop.

Digestive speed changes

When poop moves quickly through your intestines, bile, which is a greenish-colored digestive fluid produced by your liver, may not have enough time to be fully processed.

This can result in poop that has an orange or yellowish tint and is often seen with diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

What orange poop may mean based on appearance, consistency, or another symptom or condition

If you’re experiencing orange poop, you may be able to understand more about what's causing your orange poop based on its appearance, consistency, or if you’re experiencing another symptom or condition.

• Bright orange poop: If you eat a lot of foods high in the pigment beta carotene, such as carrots, pumpkin, and squash, this can sometimes result in orange poop. Artificial orange coloring used in candy, snacks, and drinks can also cause orange poop. This color change is usually harmless and goes away after you stop eating or drinking the responsible food.
• Red and orange poop: If you are seeing a mix of red and orange poop, this could mean you have bleeding in your digestive tract. If you suspect you are seeing blood, contact your physician immediately. This could also be caused by consuming a combination of foods, such as foods with a high beta carotene content as well as food containing artificial orange or red coloring. If this color change does not quickly resolve, or you experience other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or stomach pain, you should consult your physician.
• Orange poop with mucus: Usually mucus with orange poop indicates inflammation or irritation in your digestive tract. This can be seen in some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or an infection such as viral gastroenteritis, or a bacterial infection such as giardia. You should get the advice of your healthcare provider if the mucus persists.
• Oily or greasy orange poop: If your digestive system is not absorbing fats well, this can lead to greasy, orange colored poop. Fat malabsorption, known as steatorrhea, is often found with gallbladder or pancreas problems. If you are having oily or greasy orange poop that does not quickly resolve, you need to see your physician.
• Orange poop and stomach pain: If you are having stomach pain with orange poop, this may mean an underlying digestive problem. If the pain and orange poop does not quickly go away or the pain is severe, you should see your physician.
• Orange poop and IBS: People with IBS often have variations in the color and consistency of their poop. If you have IBS and have frequent orange poop, you should bring this to the attention of your healthcare provider.
• Orange poop without a gallbladder: After your gallbladder is removed, you may experience orange poop due to changes in the way in which your body processes bile. This is generally normal, but if you have continuing symptoms, you should discuss this with your doctor.
• Orange poop while pregnant: Orange poop during pregnancy is usually the result of taking prenatal vitamins or other dietary changes. While orange poop during pregnancy is not usually harmful, If you are having other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or stomach pain, you should consult your healthcare provider.

Read our guides on different types of stool and stool colors for more.

When to see a doctor about orange-colored poop

While orange poop is usually harmless, there are times when seeing a doctor is necessary.

You should see a doctor if:

• Your orange poop continues for more than a few days without any apparent dietary cause.
• You are experiencing stomach pain, nausea or vomiting.
• You have other symptoms, like weight loss or fatigue in addition to the change in your stool color.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You notice blood mixed with the orange poop.
• You have severe abdominal pain.
• You have signs of dehydration such as thirst, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, dizziness or mental confusion.
• You have symptoms of infection, like a high fever or vomiting.

Questions to ask your doctor about orange-colored poop

• Could any of my medications or my diet be causing my orange poop?
• Are there any tests you would advise me to have to understand the reason for my orange poop?
• Should I be concerned about digestive problems if my poop is frequently orange?
• What other changes can I make to help prevent orange stool from happening again?

How to stop or treat orange poop

Here’s how you can stop or treat orange poop.

Review and adjust your diet

If you or your doctor suspect that foods high in beta-carotene or artificial orange coloring is the cause, limiting or eliminating those foods can help.

Also, drinking plenty of fluids to stay well hydrated will support your digestive health.

Check your supplements and medications

If you’re taking any vitamins or medications that you think may be changing the color of your poop, discuss this with your healthcare provider.

They may be able to suggest some alternatives that are less likely to affect the color of your stool.

Support your digestive health

Eating a balanced variety of foods supports your gut’s health. You may also want to include probiotics as an additional support.

This can help your digestive system function smoothly and will help to prevent unusual changes in the color and consistency of your poop.

How to prevent orange poop

You can prevent orange poop by eating a balanced diet, getting regular health checkups, and staying hydrated.

Eat a balanced diet

Eating a varied diet containing plenty of lean protein, fruits and vegetables along with a moderate intake of beta-carotene foods can help prevent orange poop.

Avoid consuming large quantities of orange colored foods such as carrots, squash and pumpkins, or foods colored with artificial orange dye.

Get regular health checkups

Getting routine health check-ups can help your doctor identify underlying health issues early on when they can be most easily treated.

Your healthcare provider can help you address and monitor symptoms like unusual stool color and other symptoms.

Stay hydrated

Staying well hydrated is important for a healthy digestive system. Drinking enough water every day helps maintain normal bowel movements and also reduces your risk of stool color changes from disruptions to your digestion.

Frequently asked questions: orange poop

Can pancreatitis cause orange poop?

Pancreatitis can affect your digestion, particularly fat absorption, which might result in greasy or discolored orange poop. If you have stool color changes related to problems with your pancreas, these should be addressed by your physician.

Can IBS cause orange poop?

Yes, IBS can lead to changes in the color of your poop due to changes in the speed of digestion as well as bile processing.

Orange stool with IBS is generally not harmful unless you are also having other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or unexplained weight loss.

In review

Orange poop is typically caused by foods you have eaten, medications, or supplements, and usually goes away on its own. If your orange stool persists or you are having other symptoms you should see your physician. Eating a balanced diet, avoiding foods high in beta carotene and artificial orange dyes, plus staying hydrated, will support your digestive health and can prevent unusual poop colors from reoccurring.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Jennifer Nadel, MD.

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