As our dogs age they may face mobility challenges, and everyday activities like climbing into bed, getting into cars or jumping onto furniture can become difficult—or even painful. A dog ramp or steps, however, can provide much-needed support for your furry friend to get from point A to point B comfortably. Whether you’re looking for a tool to help your senior dog, want to make life easier for a smaller breed or are hoping to prevent future joint issues, this guide will help you find the best dog ramps to suit your pet’s needs.
“Abrupt, fast movements like jumping become harder for older pets because they don’t have the muscle strength to jump, and many pets have arthritis or joint pain,” says Dr. Elizabeth Benson, a veterinarian and CEO and founder of Paws Into Grace. When shopping for a dog ramp, you of course want to make sure that it’s appropriately sized for your pup, but also look for one with good traction to prevent slipping. If you take them for frequent car rides, you might want to prioritize a ramp that’s easily portable as well.
With that in mind, our top pick is the Orvis Super-Lightweight Pet Ramp, for its ease of use, durability and suitability for any-sized dog. If you’re looking specifically for a product that can aid small pups, Top Paw’s Indoor Foam Steps are an excellent choice. And if your pooch needs some added support due to arthritis or other issues affecting their mobility, consider investing in the DoggoRamps Large Bed Ramp.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen editors have extensive experience testing, researching and reviewing the best home products on the market. We’ve published scores of expert-backed roundups on pet products, including the best dog crates, best dog harnesses, and best slow-feeder dog bowls.
- The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team includes three expert editors: deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, senior editor Amanda Arnold and editor Sholeen Damarwala.
- Author of this piece Bailey Berg is a regular contributor with extensive experience testing and evaluating pet accessories.
- Forbes Vetted managing editor Emmy Favilla, who edited this story, is a dog owner and active dog companion volunteer at Animal Care Centers of NYC. She has been active in animal welfare for two decades and is the author of Pet Peeves, our monthly pet advice column.
How We Chose The Best Dog Ramps
To find the best dog ramps, we researched dozens of best-selling options, weighing the various features, reading reviews and, where possible, testing the ramps ourselves.
- Our home and kitchen editorial team focused on dog ramps from trusted brands and retailers, such as Orvis and PetSmart.
- We compared features such as materials, length of ramp, durability, portability, non-slip surfaces and ease of cleaning to determine the best options.
- We took customer reviews and average star ratings into careful account, sticking to models that have garnered at least an average rating of 4 stars and only a negligible amount of concerning reviews, if any.
- The final products on this list reflect in-depth research conducted by our writer and meticulous vetting by the editorial team.
What To Look For In The Best Dog Ramps
Choosing the best dog ramp requires understanding the unique needs of your pet and matching them with the right features. Some things to consider are:
Weight Capacity
One of the first things to check is whether the ramp can safely support your dog’s weight, especially if you have a larger dog.
Ramp Length
The length of the ramp directly affects the incline your dog will need to climb. A longer ramp provides a gentler slope, which is particularly important for older dogs or dogs with joint issues. Measure the height of the surface your dog needs to reach (e.g., your bed or car) and select a ramp that offers the right balance of incline and length for comfortable, safe use.
Surface Traction
Traction is crucial to prevent your dog from slipping, especially if they’re recovering from an injury or have trouble walking. Look for ramps with a non-slip surface, such as rubberized or textured materials. This gives your dog’s paws better grip and reduces the risk of accidents. Carpeting is another common feature, though rubber or rough-textured surfaces are generally easier to clean.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
