The 9 Best Cat Ramps for Older and Arthritic Kitties

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• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

If your cat has trouble jumping onto the bed or hopping up to their favorite window perch, it might be time to make some accommodations. Cat ramps and steps improve accessibility for older cats, arthritic cats, and cats with mobility issues. And you don’t have to make any permanent changes to your home!

Foldable cat ramps are ideal if you’re looking for something you can move to different spots, while a cat scratch ramp or a cat tree with a ramp might be ideal for older cats who still love to climb and play. Stairs, by contrast, are great for cats with limited mobility and can often be combined with additional steps to adjust their height.

We’ve rounded up the best steps and cat ramps for older cats and kitties who need a little bit of assistance getting where they want to go.

• Best for Bed: Frisco Foldable Nonslip Pet Stairs
• Best for Couch: PetSafe CozyUp Wooden Pet Ramp
• Best for Windows: Tangkula 4-Step Carpeted Ladder Ramp
• Best for Walls: FUKUMARU Cat Climbing Shelf Stairway
• Best for Travel: Pet Gear Reflective Foldable Car Ramp
• Best Adjustable Height: Zinus Comfort Cat & Dog Stairs
• Best Cat Scratch Ramp: K&H Pet Products Creative Kitty Scratch, Ramp, and Groom Toy
• Best Cat Tree with Ramp: Amazon Basics Cat Tree with Ramp
• Best for Play: Imperial Cat Step ‘N Play Cat Steps

Best for Bed: Frisco Foldable Nonslip Pet Stairs

If you share your bed with your cat, keeping a set of cat stairs by the bed ensures that your feline friend will still be able to snuggle even as they get older. These foldable stairs are some of the best cat stairs for bed use because they’re made from sturdy plastic and have nonslip pads for safety.

Unlike foam pet stairs, these fold flat for storage, but at five pounds, they’re still lightweight, which makes them easy to move. Choose from three colors: grey, beige, or charcoal.

Dimensions: 14” W x 22.75” D x 19.5” H (unfolded)

You and your cat will like:

• Lightweight (five pounds) but sturdy
• Nonslip pads improve traction
• Folds flat for easy storage
• Available in three different colors

You and your cat may NOT like:

• Height is not adjustable
• Five-inch stair height may be too tall for some cats

Best for Couch: PetSafe CozyUp Wooden Pet Ramp

To give your cat access to permanent furniture items like the couch, a sturdy cat ramp is ideal. This wooden cat ramp measures 70 inches long, so it sits at a modest angle your cat can navigate.

Wood makes it a relatively long-lasting, durable ramp, while the heavy-duty carpeted surface improves traction and safety. Choose from two colors: white or cherry.

Dimensions: 17” W x 70” L x 25” H

You and your cat will like:

• Long ramp set at a low angle
• Carpeted surface for improved traction
• Sturdy and durable wooden construction
• Available in two colors

You and your cat may NOT like:

• Expensive: $150+

Best for Windows: Tangkula Four-Step Carpeted Ladder Ramp

Cats love nothing better than snoozing the day away on their favorite window perch. Most window perches are designed to stick to the window itself, which puts them fairly high off the ground. This four-step carpeted ladder ramp saves your kitty from having to jump to reach the perch. Its tallest step is 24 inches tall, and the carpeted surface gives your cat’s claws something to hold on to for safety.

Dimensions: 16” W x 24” D x 24” H

You and your cat will like:

• Reaches up to 24 inches high
• Carpeted steps improve traction and safety
• Sturdy design with two supports for each step
• Modestly priced

You and your cat may NOT like:

• Takes up a significant amount of floor space
• Steps are fairly narrow, only 6.5 inches wide

Best for Walls: FUKUMARU Cat Climbing Shelf Stairway

Save yourself some floor space by opting for a set of cat wall steps. Sold in four-step sections, these climbing shelves are quick to install and easy to combine. Each section measures 15.7 inches long, and each of the four steps is 8.7 inches wide. Because you’re in charge of installation, you can make the angle as steep or as shallow as needed for your cat.

Dimensions: 8.7” W x 15.7” L

You and your cat will like:

• Easy to combine into longer sets
• Each step is wrapped in wood for traction
• Saves floor space with wall installation

You and your cat may NOT like:

• Installation required (drill needed)
• Must be permanently attached to the wall

Best for Travel: Pet Gear Reflective Foldable Car Ramp

While it may be easy enough to pick your cat up and put them in the car, having a travel ramp can still come in handy if you plan on moving the ramp around a lot—or want to use it outside. This one measures 71 inches long and is covered with nonslip material to improve traction. It’s capable of supporting pets up to 200 pounds, which makes it a good option for multi-pet households.

Dimensions: 71” L x 19.5” W

You and your cat will like:

• Provides safe and comfortable car access
• Folds flat for storage and portability
• Nonslip materials improve traction and safety
• Large enough to use with dogs

You and your cat may NOT like:

• Fairly expensive at $100+
• Somewhat bulky and awkward to carry

Best Adjustable Height: TRIXIE Adjustable Cat & Dog Stairs

If you’d rather not fill your home with cat ramps or stairs, an adjustable height solution might be what you need. This set of four stairs adjusts to heights between 23.75” and 26.75”. By adjusting the height of the ramp, you’ll also be able to slightly change the angle and the set folds flat for easy storage. The unit is durably constructed from wood and each step is covered in carpet for improved traction.

Dimensions: 16” W x 26-29” L x 23.75-26.75” H

You and your cat will like:

• Sturdy wooden construction
• Stairs are covered in carpet for traction
• Adjustable for use with different furniture
• Attractive modern design

You and your cat may NOT like:

• Range of adjustability is limited
• Expensive at $100+

Best Cat Scratch Ramp: K&H Pet Products Creative Kitty Scratch, Ramp, and Groom Toy

Why settle for a plain old cat ramp when your cat can enjoy a product that does so much more? This cat ramp doubles as a scratcher, but it also has a captive ball for play and a grooming brush. The self-grooming brush will help your cat keep their coat soft and smooth, while the cardboard ramp and base provide places for them to scratch.

Dimensions: 15” D x 9.5” H x 19.5” L

You and your cat will like:

• Thick cardboard satisfies your cat’s urge to scratch
• Doubles as a ramp for improved accessibility
• Self-grooming brush keeps your cat’s coat soft
• Captive ball toy for interactive play

You and your cat may NOT like:

• Cardboard materials won’t last forever
• Fairly pricey for a cardboard scratcher

Best Cat Tree with Ramp: Amazon Basics Cat Tree with Ramp

Cat trees enable your cat to survey their territory from on high. They typically offer platforms, perches, and hides at multiple heights, and vertical supports serve as scratching surfaces. Not only does this cat tree check all the boxes, but it comes with a carpeted ramp to improve accessibility for older kitties.

Dimensions: 29.5” L x 27” W x 52” H

You and your cat will like:

• Carpeted ramp ensures easy accessibility
• Multiple levels with perches
• Hideaway provides a secure place to nap
• Posts are wrapped with jute fiber for scratching

You and your cat may NOT like:

• Assembly required
• Carpeted surfaces may not hold up well to scratching

Best Budget: Imperial Cat Step ‘N Play Cat Steps

You don’t necessarily have to spend a small fortune to improve your cat’s ability to comfortably access the couch or bed. This cardboard set of cat steps is practically priced, and it serves its function well. The unit folds flat for storage and transport but, when assembled, functions as both a set of cat steps and a cozy hideaway.

Dimensions: 20.5” x 18” x 17.25”

You and your cat will like:

• Lightweight and easy to transport
• Folds out into a set of steps and hideaway
• Affordably priced around $20
• Surprisingly sturdy when assembled

You and your cat may NOT like:

• Cardboard offers limited durability
• Steps are fairly narrow, only 6.75 inches deep

How We Chose

The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We chose ramps and pet steps for cats based on construction, durability, stability, safety, and function. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.

Further Reading:

• Can Cat Arthritis Supplements Help Your Creaky Kitty?
• Give Your Senior Kitty a Paw Up With These Cat Trees for Older Cats
• Why the Best Bed for a Senior Cat Might Be a Dog Bed