Dog stairs and dog ramps can be used to help your best friend more easily get onto furniture or into your car or SUV. Dog steps and stairs are usually preferred for indoor use since they are more compact, while dog ramps are generally the go-to choice for car travel. The best examples of both feature a non-slip surface for ease of use, and many have a folding design for easy portability.
Dog steps, stairs, and ramps can be helpful for:
Dog stairs often come in soft, décor-friendly designs. They can be placed by the bed, near the couch, or anywhere your buddy needs help getting up—just be sure to choose stairs with a rise that's low enough for your dog to manage. Dog ramps usually feature a durable design that folds flat for easy storage and travel. Ramps can also be used indoors for dogs who have trouble navigating stairs. Whether you choose a ramp or stairs for your dog, you may need to experiment a bit to see which ones your buddy likes using best.
The best stairs for dogs will depend on the size, age and condition of your pup and on the application you're using them for. Car stairs and ramps will need to be highly portable and easy to clean, with a non-slip surface and adequate width. For indoor stairs, you may want to choose softer surfaces or materials that blend into your decor.
Ramps are better for dogs with mobility issues and also for puppies, who sometimes don’t know what to do when they encounter stairs! The rise on stairs might be also too high for puppies or very small dogs. Stairs are usually more compact than ramps, however, and they generally work well for healthy dogs and larger ones, too.
You can use dog stairs for cars, but ramps are usually the go-to for autos because they fold easily and compactly for travel. Ramps can also accommodate variable heights—great for high SUV cargo areas and for switching between cars with different step-in heights