Best Pet Ramps and Stairs

What Features to Compare

Design/Best for

Before purchasing a ramp or stairs for your furry friend, you need to decide on the design and on what it is best for. Every pet is different, so there is no sole solution for choosing either a ramp or stairs. In our review, you have an opportunity to consider both pet ramps and pet stairs. 

• Pet stairs come in different heights and sizes to fit every breed. The advantage of steps is that they take less space compared to pet ramps. Pet steps are ideal for tight spaces and can be placed alongside a bed or chair. If your kitty or doggy is young and in good health, steps offer a wonderful way to climb up and down safely from furnishings inside a house or apartment. You can also use these stairs outside as they can be placed next to pet doors or decks. Besides, pet stairs are now very popular among cat/dog owners who try to keep their furry friends away from health problems (joint pain, arthritis, etc.) ahead of time. Anything that prevents your little friend from jumping up and down will benefit his/her joints greatly in a long run. But, if your pet is quite old, it is obvious that climbing stairs, at this point in its life, is physically demanding. So, our suggestion is to stop considering stairs.
• We advise the owners of senior pets to direct their sights toward ramps. Dog or cat ramp is a humane solution for our small friends that have become disabled or arthritic with age. Ramps can be also very useful for dogs or cats that got used to single-floor houses and have never mastered moving up the stairs. Moreover, if you are the owner of a pet recovering from an injury, a ramp is a must for you! Both doggies and kitties will benefit of the straight and plain walk up as contrasted to lifting their legs over stairs. Ramps are also a necessary thing for people who cannot imagine car trips without their animal friends. Car ramps will give all pets a chance to continue their favorite activity - traveling with owners in the car!

Size/Material

The next thing you should pay attention to is the size and the material. It is obvious that the higher the reach is, the longer the ramp or stairs should be. For example, a broadly extended ramp will be comfortable for large dogs as it will help them easily climb into a high SUV or van. On the other hand, such ramps can be a problem for houses and apartments as they take a lot of space. So, if you want a ramp for home use, consider smaller ramp-steps for installation near furniture. As for material, it must be durable and reliable in order to withstand different loads. The frame should be made of steel and have a non-skid surface. Note, that if you want stairs and ramps for indoor use, it is advisable to consider lightweight models made of durable plastic or wood with carpeted surface. In general, the maximum load for ramps is 200 pounds. The steps for home use can withstand a load up to 130 lbs. All in all, you don't have to worry that they might break under your pet.

Conveniences 

There are various things that can add extra comfort. For example, the stairs are usually carpeted in order to provide your pet with a comfortable climb. The bottom of the ramp can be rubberized so as not to slide on the ground. All ramps are lightweight and easy-to-use. Furthermore, most ramps and stairs can be folded and placed in a trunk. Additionally, many of them have special locks and, consequently, they cannot open during a trip. As for models for indoor use, they can easily fit under a bed. Finally, many designs do not require any assembly at all, making the setting process a snap.