Our pets’ declining mobility is no cause to abandon them! There are dog ramps available to assist in navigating steep inclines and elevated resting locations such as the front seat of our vehicle or next to us on the couch. There are key features to consider when looking for a dog ramp such as the ramp’s size, weight capacity, construction material, non-slip surfaces, foldability, and adjustability.
We’ll take a closer look at these and other attributes of a dog ramp hoping to improve your buying experience by reducing the amount of time needed for product research and guiding you to the best products available.
The appropriate dog ramp selection is essential for preserving your dog’s independence. From making it to the couch to taking their position on the bed. We examine the characteristics of dog ramps and stairs in this guide, along with our top 5 choices, to help you choose the best one.
Best for Trucks
PetStep
folding pet ramp holds up to 500 pounds, extends 72 inches, 17 inches width and only weighs 18.5 pounds.
Best for Cars
PetSafe
non-slip surface and raised edges to prevent falls, making it the best choice for pet owners who prioritize safety.
Best for Older Dogs
Pet Gear
a gentle incline, sturdy construction and slip-resistant makes perfect for older dogs with joint pain or arthritis.
Best for SUV
WeatherTech
67 inches long, supports up to 300 pounds and folds to a manageable 33.5 inches makes it perfect for SUV owners
Best for Couch
MEWANG
4 height levels, anti-slip surface, lightweight & portable. Ideal for small dogs to reach the couch or bed!
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Do you hate seeing your furry friend struggle to jump onto your bed or into your car? It’s heartbreaking and can be dangerous for them to keep trying. That’s where a dog ramp comes in. It’s a simple yet effective tool that will help your dog climb up and down with ease, preventing injuries and boosting their mobility. Let’s get started!
PetSteps Foldable Pet Ramp
PetStep is a trusted leader in the pet industry known for its innovation and long lasting products. We’ve based our choice for the best dog ramp for a truck on its durable composite plastic and fiberglass material, the 500-pound weight capacity, a non-slip walking surface, and a width of 17 inches making it wider than most ramps available. The average height of a truck’s rear bumper is 23-29 inches making the incline angle to be about 18-23 degrees, suitable for most dogs. The folding ramp weighs 18.5 pounds making it easy to transport.
Overall, this product will provide you with many years of assistance keeping your pet safe whether climbing up or down.
Considerations for Choosing a Dog Ramp
Choosing the best dog ramp for your dog depends on several factors that are unique to you and your pet.
Quickly Estimate a Dog Ramp Incline
Note: Using a inverse tangent function will return a more precise incline, but our simpler formula provides a rough estimate for your research.
PetSafe Happy Ride Folding Dog Ramp
Petsafe has been in business since 1991 involving into an industry leader known for its product quality and customer satisfaction. The Happy Ride is our pick for the best dog ramp for a car since it weighs only 10 pounds, is lightweight, can support up to 150 pounds, and extends to 62 inches, offering a gradual walking incline. This ramp includes a safety release latch to prevent unintentional opening. The Happy Ride is a secure and dependable choice for assisting your dog into and out of the car thanks to these characteristics.
Features of a Dog Ramp
- Adjustability: An adjustable dog ramps provides increased flexibility, accommodating a range of heights and angles with one product.
- Durability: Look at dog ramps made of heavy-duty plastics, aluminum, or stainless steel, are rust-resistant, and the base is solid. These are the durability qualities that make the ramp hold up under frequent use and last for years.
- Portability: Portability is crucial when selecting a dog ramp. It determines how easily the ramp can be moved and stored, making it a key consideration in both outdoor and indoor use.
- Safety: Be sure the ramp can sustain your dog’s weight in a safe manner by paying close attention to the weight capacity.
- Stability: There are dog ramps designed for a specific vehicle and may not be stable if used with other types of vehicles.
Pet Gear: Tri-Fold Portable
Pet Gear has been in business since 1936 focusing on developing durable products that provide safety to our pets. The Tri-Fold Portable is our pick for the best dog ramp for older dogs because of its safety features. These include high visibility yellow reflective material on the walking surface to help guide your dog along, additional reflective material on the sides so you are visible to others while the ramp is in use, a non-slip walking surface, an extra wide surface at 19.5 inches to give an older dog added security, the length of 71 inches provides a nice gradual incline for sore joints and comes with a safety tether that can be attached to the vehicle for added stability
Understand The Different Types of Dog Ramps
Are you overwhelmed by the range of dog ramps on the market? Our definition guide categorizes the numerous dog ramps and includes a brief explanation of each kind, making it easy for you to compare and choose the best ramp for your dog’s needs.
| Categories | Dog Ramp Type | Brief Description | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collapsible Ramps | Bi-Fold Ramps | ramps that fold in half for easier storage and transportation. | ideal for travel |
| Collapsible Ramps | Folding Ramps | can be folded up for storage and are great for use with cars and SUVs. | great for quick setup |
| Collapsible Ramps | Platform Foldable | provides a level surface for dogs to stand on | good for high beds |
| Collapsible Ramps | Side Door Ramp | designed to fit over the side door of a car or SUV, these ramps can provide easy access for dogs. | easy to store |
| Collapsible Ramps | Telescoping Ramps | adjustable telescoping ramps can be lengthened or shortened to fit a variety of surfaces and vehicles. | good for various heights |
| Collapsible Ramps | Tri-Fold Ramps | ramps fold into three sections, | provides more gradual incline |
| Custom Ramps | Multi-Level Ramp | has multiple levels or sections, each at a different height. Designed to provide a gradual incline for dogs to climb up or down and are often adjustable, allowing owners to customize the ramp to their specific needs and the size of their dog. | designed for complex spaces |
| Fixed Ramps | Carpeted Ramps | offer a non-slip surface and can be used for dogs with joint pain or mobility issues. | ideal for indoor use |
| Fixed Ramps | Free-Standing Ramps | can be used without needing to be attached to a vehicle or other surface. | not attached |
| Fixed Ramps | Grass Ramps | designed to blend into outdoor environments | natural looking surface |
| Fixed Ramps | Heavy-Duty Ramps | built to support extra weight, heavy-duty ramps are ideal for large or extra-large dogs. | |
| Fixed Ramps | Wooden Ramps | durable and stylish, for dogs who may be intimidated by metal or plastic ramps. | ideal for rustic setting |
| Specialty Ramps | Boat Ramp | a non-slip surface and adjustable length, great for dogs who enjoy boating or water activities. | safe entry/exit point |
| Specialty Ramps | Car Hitch Ramp | attaches to the car's hitch | good for higher vehicles |
| Specialty Ramps | Curved Ramp | a curved or arched design. can be used in tighter spaces or where a straight ramp may not fit. | |
| Specialty Ramps | Ladder Ramp | has a series of steps or rungs connected at an angle. Similar to those found on a ladder and are used to provide an inclined walking surface for dogs. | ideal for dogs who are comfortable using stairs but need extra support for their paws while climbing. |
| Specialty Ramps | Pool Ramp | providing a safe and easy way for dogs to enter and exit pools, pool ramps are typically made with a non-slip surface. | |
| Specialty Ramps | Slide Ramp | slick surface, for dogs who want a faster or more exciting way to exit a vehicle or other surface. | great for fun and therapy |
| Staircase Ramps | Folding Stairs | folding stairs consists of steps that can be folded flat for easy storage and transportation. | |
| Staircase Ramps | Half-Steps | half-steps offer a more gradual incline than traditional steps, making them a good option for dogs with joint issues. | climb in smaller increments |
| Staircase Ramps | Stairs | perfect for indoor use, provides a sturdy and stable surface for dogs | |
| Staircase Ramps | Steps Ramps | these hybrid ramps provide a gradual incline and stable footing for dogs. |
WeatherTech: Folding Dog Ramp
In 2018, WeatherTech, a company well known for its high-quality automobile products, entered the pet industry featuring products of the same quality. This high traction foldable ramp contains a hinge design that helps prevent damage if dropped, rubber feet at both ends of the ramp to prevent slipping on the ground and your vehicle, made of materials that will not rust, weighs only 16 pounds for each lifting and can hold up to 300 pounds.
Dog Ramp FAQs: Answers to Common Questions for Choosing the Right Ramp
MEWANG: Adjustable Pet Ramp
The MEWANG 19″ Tall Adjustable Pet Ramp is a versatile well-made ramp that offers safety, stability, and convenience for pets looking to reach the couch. It can adjust to four different heights, has a non-slip surface, and folds to a height of 3.5 inches for easy storage making it our choice for the best ramp for a couch.
