Dropping the kids off at the pool. Pinching a loaf. Doing your business. However you refer to it, pooping is an essential bodily function that can reveal a lot about your health and diet.

In recent years, the carnivore diet – which involves eating only meat and eliminating all plant foods – has grown in popularity. Advocates claim it can improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and promote weight loss. But how does eating just steak, eggs, and other animal products impact your poop sessions?

The carnivore diet leads to significant changes in poop frequency, size, texture, and smell. Understanding these effects allows you to monitor your digestive health on an all-meat regimen. Here's everything you need to know about how going carnivore affects your bowel movements.

A Meaty Transition: What to Expect When You First Go Carnivore

Switching to a zero-carb carnivore diet is a huge change for your digestive system. At first, your poop will likely be weird and a bit unpleasant. But for most people, things normalize after the initial adaptation phase. Here's what to expect:

Frequent and Urgent Bowel Movements

During the first week of carnivore, your poop schedule will be out-of-whack. You may feel like you need to use the bathroom way more often than normal. Some people experience urgent, loose stools several times a day as their gut bacteria react to the lack of fiber. It's perfectly normal, so don't panic! Just make sure to stay hydrated.

Strange Colors and Textures

Meat and eggs contain different pigments than plant foods, so your poop color will change dramatically on a carnivore diet. Expect hues ranging from light clay brown to blackish charcoal. The texture might be quite loose, greasy, or unusually smelly at first too. This is just your digestive system calibrating – no need to freak out.

Decreased Frequency After a Week or Two

Once your body adapts to all meat all the time, your poop schedule will likely become more regular. Most carnivores go to the bathroom only once a day or once every couple days. The stools are more solid and less messy too. This decrease in frequency is normal on a low-fiber diet. As long as you don't feel constipated, it's fine.

The Scoop on Long-Term Carnivore Poop

After the initial adjustment period, your poop should settle into a predictable routine. Here's a look at what your bowel movements may look like on a long-term carnivore diet:

Smaller in Size and Volume

Don't be shocked if you start pooping tiny pebbles or rabbit pellets on carnivores. Without the bulk of plant matter, your stool is much more compact. You'll likely only need a couple of squares of TP rather than half the roll. The overall volume of waste is smaller too. It may seem alarming at first but it's perfectly healthy.

Sausage-Like Shape and Texture

On a meat-only diet, your poop loses its mushy consistency and instead forms into smooth, sausage-like shapes. Some describe carnivore poop as resembling loose Play-Doh or modeling clay. It is solid but still soft enough to pass easily. Stools sink but aren't rock-hard. This texture indicates a healthy transit time.

Mild, Inoffensive Odor

Prepare to be pleasantly surprised if smelly poop has plagued you in the past. Multiple carnivores report that their poop ceases to stink on an all-meat diet. With fewer sulfur-containing proteins and no gut bacteria feeding on fiber,the odor becomes minimal. Some even claim their poop now has no discernible smell at all. No more clogging the bathroom with air freshener!

Less Mess and Easier Cleanup

Between the smaller size, firmer texture, and more controlled evacuation, cleanup becomes much easier with carnivore poop. There's no more getting stuck halfway with loose stools. And the smooth, solid shape means minimal residue left behind. You may finally be able to retire your trusty poop knife once you go carnivore! Just a couple sheets of toilet paper will do the job.

Yellowish-Brown to Charcoal Coloration

Meat and eggs contain bilirubin and stercobilin pigments that give your poop a characteristic hue on carnivores. It often looks yellowish-brown or olive green from bile salts. Very dark poop bordering on blackish charcoal can occur too due to digested blood. As long as you don't have tarry stools, the color variation is harmless.

How Often Should You Poop on The Carnivore Diet?

Stool frequency varies widely on a meat-only regimen. According to Dr. Paul Saladino, a leading carnivore diet doctor, pooping anywhere from three times per day to once every 3-4 days is normal. Pay attention to these general guidelines:

• In the beginning, expect bowel movements up to 3 times per day. The frequency decreases as your digestive tract adapts.
• After adaptation, most people poop once or twice a day, or every other day.
• Once a week could signal constipation. Try upping fat intake.
• Daily pooping isn’t necessary! Going 2-3 days without pooping is often normal on carnivores.

Remember, no plant matter means much less waste volume. judge by feel – if you don’t have symptoms of constipation like bloating, straining, or hard stools, you’re fine.

Poop Problems on The Carnivore Diet and How to Fix Them

While most people feel great pooping on carnivore, some do experience issues like constipation, diarrhea, or other abnormalities. Here are some common problems and solutions:

Constipation

Infrequent and difficult-to-pass stools affect some carnivores, especially in the beginning as fiber intake plummets. Up your fat intake for laxative effect. Drink more water and mineral salts like magnesium and potassium. Move your body to stimulate motility.

Diarrhea

Some get loose stools if they overdo rendered fat or eat fatty cuts of meat. Lower fat intake and opt for leaner proteins like chicken breast and white fish. Avoid overt fat like broth and bacon grease. Diarrhea usually resolves in 1-2 weeks.

Floating Stools

Increased gas can cause stools to float – don’t panic. Try a digestive enzyme supplement to help break down meat. Eliminate dairy if lactose intolerant. Lower fat intake and slow down meals.

Blood

Bright red blood on tissue or in the bowl may indicate a fissure or tear. More serious causes are possible. Dark blood mixed in stool could signal something more concerning and require medical attention.

Foul Smell

A continued increase in poop odor on carnivore may point to overeating protein, gut dysbiosis, or other issues. Try lowering overall food intake, reducing fat, implementing fasting, exercising, and eating more fermented foods.

The Takeaway: Carnivore Poop Explained

Making the switch to carnivore can throw your digestive system for a loop at first. Within a few weeks of adaptation, your poop routine will likely stabilize with smaller, less frequent bowel movements. Pay attention to your body rather than getting hung up on conventions like “daily pooping.” Optimize based on energy, cravings, and other signs of health. Carnivore poop may seem weird at first but is part of the metabolic adjustment to an animal foods diet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Carnivore Poop:

Is it normal not to poop every day on carnivore diet?

Yes, it's very normal to go 1-3 days without a bowel movement on a carnivore diet once adapted. The lack of fiber and plant matter results in less waste volume. As long as you don't feel constipated, an occasional day without pooping is no cause for concern.

Why is my poop black on carnivore?

Black, charcoal-like poop is common on the carnivore diet and is caused by digested blood from meat and the bile pigment stercobilin. Unless accompanied by a tarry texture or foul odor, the black stool is harmless on a carnivore regimen. Stay hydrated and lower protein if it persists.

What causes floating poop on the carnivore diet?

Increased gas from higher fat intake or inadequate digestion can cause stools to float. Try a digestive enzyme, probiotic, or apple cider vinegar to help break down meat. Reduce dairy if you are lactose intolerant. Decrease dietary fat as well.

How can I firm up loose stools on carnivore?

Diarrhea or mushy poop responds well to lowering fat intake from rendered sources like broth, bacon, and fatty meat. Focus on lean proteins like chicken breast until stools normalize. Stay hydrated with mineral-rich fluids. Give your body time