🔎 How we picked our favorites
We started with the users — We scoured review sites to understand the full product landscape. Then we dug through customer reviews and product details to bring you the best options on the market today.
We confirmed with our vets — We don’t just stop at customer reviews. Our in-house vets weigh in on any health, wellness, and safety products with their expert insights and advice, giving their stamp of approval on everything that gets featured on the site.
Our favorite dog ramps, reviewed
How to know if your dog needs a ramp
If you have a senior dog with arthritis or a dog with mobility or accessibility issues, a dog ramp can make their lives easier. Ramps help any pups who struggle to get up on the sofa, the bed, or into the car. They also make it easier on owners who have large dogs since it can be difficult to constantly lift and carry them.
Dog ramps are also helpful for small dogs or breeds with short legs, like dachshunds and corgis, who may have trouble maneuvering the stairs in your house (and don’t let the name fool you, dog ramps are great for both dogs and cats).
What to look for when shopping for a dog ramp
When looking for a dog ramp or dog stairs, there are some things you should consider before you buy:
- Height. With both ramps and stairs, the height should be appropriate for your furniture or car. For stairs specifically, each step should be equivalent to that of indoor stairs.
- Weight support. Not all ramps are built equally, be sure to choose a ramp or stairs that can support your dog’s weight.
- Anti-slip surface. It’s easier on your dog if the ramp or stairs have an anti-skid or carpet surface. Your dog’s paws must be able to grip the surface so that they don’t slide off.
- Storage. If space is an issue, find a ramp that folds up for easy storage.
- Ramp vs. stairs. Whether you choose stairs or a ramp, you may have to teach your dog to use them. You know your dog best, so use your best judgment on which type of ramp or stairs would be easiest for your pup to learn to use.
How to train your dog to use a ramp
To train your dog to use a ramp, all you’ll need is a ramp, some tasty treats, a piece of furniture to practice climbing onto, plus a little bit of patience.
Step-by-step ramp training
- Exploration. During the first steps of training, start by laying the ramp on a flat area where it won’t slide, such as in the grass or on carpet. Let your dog investigate it without force. A gradual approach with positive reinforcement will be the best way to get your dog comfortable using it.
- Practice with treats sans incline. Once they’re comfortable around the ramp, lure them to it with some treats and ask them to step onto it with it still lying flat. Treat them for putting just one paw on it to start. Once they’re okay with putting a paw on the ramp, ask for a little more and treat them for placing two paws on it. Progressively move the treat toward the middle of the ramp to encourage them to stand on it completely.
- Get your pup to follow the treat from one end to the other. As soon as all four paws are up, reward your dog with treats as they follow your hand across the ramp to the other end. The goal is to have your pup willingly follow the treat in your hand from one end of the ramp to the other. If your dog jumps off the ramp, simply move them back to the beginning of the ramp and restart.
- Add the incline (gradually, if possible). Once your pup is comfortable crossing back and forth across the flat ramp, it’s time to add the incline. Reintroduce it to your dog slowly now that the ramp has changed. If the style of your ramp allows it, increase the incline in stages rather than all at once.
- Repeat with treats. Do the same routine again with guiding your dog to the ramp and treating as they put a paw up on it. Then gradually ask (and reward) for two paws, three paws, and finally all four paws up on the ramp. Once they’re comfortable, guide them up the ramp completely with a treat and reward when they’ve accomplished the whole climb!
👉 With enough practice, your pup should get comfortable enough to climb up and down the ramp easily without needing a treat as bait.
You can build a DIY pet ramp
If you can’t find exactly the type of ramp you want for your furry friend, building your own is a possibility. You’ll need a variety of materials (like plywood, sandpaper, screws, etc.) and should feel comfortable using tools such as a saw and a drill. If you feel like taking on the task of a DIY pet ramp, here’s a step-by-step process.
