Whether you have an older 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 factors that make a dog ramp solid.
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. 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 vets and many recommend this as a feature to look for when it comes to buying ramps.
- Rubber grips: Grips are another important feature.
- Do you have a colour preference? Oyster brown is a colour 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!
Rosewood Pet Gear Free Standing Pet Ramp
This ramp is generously sized, so your pet will feel confident moving to and from the bed or the car.
Pros
- Long enough with a gentle climbing angle
- A ribbed ‘sure-grip’ carpet walking surface
- Rubber feet
- Comes in different sizes and can support dogs weighing 90 kg (200 lbs) or more
Cons
- Some people that tried the ramp thought the carpet was too slippery!
Petstep Folding Pet Ramp
This heavy-duty folding ramp is designed for easy maintenance and portability. It has a non-slip, ridged, rubber walking surface, and grips on each end which fit all vehicles and edges.
Pros
- Folds in half for easy transport and storage
- Non-slip rubberised walking surface with superior traction in wet or dry conditions
- Supports even the largest dog and holds up to 226 kg (500 lbs)
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Fairly heavy and awkward to manoeuvre
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.
Pros
- Maximum weight is 90 kg (200 lbs) so really large dogs can use these
- Safe grip carpet tread
- Folds flat for compact storage which is 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!
