Whether you have a senior dog or a small dog that needs assistance getting up and down from the couch or bed, at some point you may need to consider a ramp. As a Certified Vet Technician and proud pet parent to two Doxies, I’ve seen a lot of dogs with disc disease (including Bruiser, my almost 14-year-old Doxie) and ramps, in this case, aren’t optional. They’re a necessity to daily life.
Most dogs don’t want to rely on their pet parent’s help when it comes to getting on and off of the couch, and the ramps reviewed in this article appear sturdy enough that owners can cross this concern off their list. (This is a major concern for me when I leave the house.)
With that in mind, there are the factors that make a solid dog ramp.
What Makes a Good Dog Ramp
- Replacement covers: Whether or not these are available is key.
- Assembly: Many ramps come in several pieces that you can put together like puzzles to create the perfect ramp for your home. However, do you want a sectional? The ramps I reviewed work fine in two pieces but consider what’s best for your dog.
- Incline: Ramps with a reasonable incline are encouraged by veterinarians and many recommend the various features to look for when it comes to buying ramps.
- Rubber grips: Grips are another important feature called out with ramps that lie flat.
- Do you have a color preference? Oyster brown is a color that matches my furniture so a ramp that blends in with the couch and ottoman was also important to me.
Consider these points before buying a ramp or pet stairs. And even though we haven’t touched on pet stairs, a lot of what we’ve talked about here applies!
Solvit Wood Bedside Ramp
The top landing area is generously sized, so your pet will feel confident moving to and from the bed, and the 25-inch height allows easy access to taller beds. Here’s one helpful review.
Pros
- Long enough with a gentle climbing angle
- A ribbed carpet walking surface
- Real wood and rich cherry finish
- Recommended for any size pet up to 120 lbs
Cons
- Some folks that tried the ramp thought the carpet was too slippery!
Royal Ramps
These are the ramps I have in my home for all three of my hounds. My fave feature is the foam that sits flush to the floor. A popular pet blogger enjoys this brand too and here’s her review.
Pros
- It’s foam! The high-density foam pet ramp makes it super easy for smaller dogs to get up and down from the couch
- It’s wide enough, sturdy, uses non-slip fabric and can easily be moved from chair to ottoman and upstairs to the bed.
Cons
- They may not be sturdy enough for extra-large dogs
- Depending on the size you need, you might end up spending $150 or more
The Indoor-Carpet Mini Ramp from Gen7Pets
This ramp is lightweight which many people really liked since so many pet parents move these from the car to the couch. One helpful review mentions that the carpet has enough grip for their dog.
Pros
- Maximum weight is 200 lbs. so really large dogs can use these
- Safe grip carpet tread
- Folds flat for compact storage which is super unique
- Automatically locks when folded for safety
- Soft rubber handle grip
Cons
- The problem that many people had with this ramp is that it is too short for their bed
These three ramps could remove a lot of anxiety if your dog typically jumps to the floor without warning. (This happens in my household about three times an hour.) Good luck with your search!
