Dog Stairs & Ramps
Jumping Is Harder On Dogs Than You Think Every time your small or senior dog leaps off the couch, their front legs absorb about two to three times their body weight. Every time they land from the bed, the same thing. A dog who jumps three times a day on average racks up hundreds of high impact l...
Jumping Is Harder On Dogs Than You Think
Every time your small or senior dog leaps off the couch, their front legs absorb about two to three times their body weight. Every time they land from the bed, the same thing. A dog who jumps three times a day on average racks up hundreds of high impact landings per year. Over time, those landings wear down joints, strain ligaments, and contribute to the kinds of chronic pain that sneak up on a dog in their later years.
Pet stairs and ramps are the small, cheap, unglamorous fix. Our collection covers carpeted three step pet stairs for the couch, folding ramps for cars and beds, and adjustable height ramps that grow with your furniture.
If jumping is wearing on your dog, also check our orthopedic dog beds — memory foam cushions the hips and elbows they are already straining.
The Research Is Clear
A 2019 study in Veterinary Record flagged repeated jumping as a contributing factor in the development of orthopedic issues in small breed dogs, particularly in breeds like Dachshunds, Yorkies, and Pomeranians.
- Disc disease in Dachshunds hits rates over twenty percent in some studies, and repeated jump impacts are one of the factors.
- Stairs reduce the impact.
- Senior dogs of any size benefit from ramps.
A lot of senior dogs stop jumping on the couch entirely and just stare at it, which is their way of saying this is too hard now.
Senior small dogs often benefit from a dog stroller too so the long neighborhood walks stay comfortable instead of becoming a drag home.
How To Teach A Dog To Use Stairs
Place the stairs against the couch or bed with the top step flush. Drop a treat on the first step.
- Then the second.
- Then the top.
- Nervous dogs may need a slower approach.
Ramps have a gentler incline and no individual step risers, which feels safer to some dogs.
Ramps For The Car
Folding ramps pull out and extend to bridge the gap between your trunk and the pavement. For SUVs and hatchbacks, a standard length ramp works fine.
- Sedans sit lower than most ramps are rated for, so you might need stairs instead.
- Aim for a ramp angle under forty five degrees.
- Steeper than that and even a young dog will hesitate.
If your car sits too high for your ramp length, park on an incline so the back end comes down, then use the ramp from that lower position.
Once your dog is safely inside the car, our elevated dog car seats clip into the seatbelt for the actual drive.