by Patricia Jackson
Even though dogs are some of the best companions for human beings, they are disadvantaged in specific ways, such as limited vertical reach.
If your pet struggles to get on the couch or on the bed where they can be comfortable or closer to you, consider getting a dog ramp for them.
Ramps provide inclined walking surfaces for dogs, simplifying access to elevated space. Ramps cater to dogs that lack the agility to ascend or descend dog stairs.
Contents
Check out our dog ramps review to learn more about these structures and to help you choose the best one for your dogs.
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
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1. Pet Gear PG9955CH (Best Overall) |
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2. Pet Gear TL9371CH (Best Inexpensive) |
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3. Petstep 66222 (Best for Large Dogs) |
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4. PetSafe 62305 (Best for SUVs) |
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5. PetSafe PTV00-16821 (Best Decorative) |
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6. Pet Gear Travel Lite (Safest) |
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7. PetSafe 62462 (Most Portable) |
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Pet Gear PG9955CH, our best overall dog ramp, boasts of a supertraX mat, which is very soft for protecting our pets' paws while simultaneously securing their footing using a pressure-activated grip.
The free-standing ramp is ideal for indoor and outdoor use and will support pets weighing up to 200 lbs. You don't need to rest it on furniture or vehicles.
This ramp folds easily to form a compact unit you can carry around and store in tight spaces to enhance storage and portability.
We noticed with Pet Gear PG9955CH lacks side rails, which can add an extra layer of safety for your pet. It also lacks a reflective capacity.
Pros:
Cons:
The Pet Gear TL9371CH dog ramp offers an affordable, stable and safe solution for elevating your pets to and from high places.
It is strong enough to hold a pet weight of up to 200 lbs. There are rubber grippers on the base to help stabilize the platform further.
You won't experience any challenges transporting the ramp because its weight is manageable, and the entire unit is 3-way foldable to make it more compact. There's a built-in molded handle on this ramp to help with portability.
It's worth clarifying that the nonslip walking surface is made using some form of sandpaper, which may not be embraced by all pets alike.
Pros:
Cons:
The heavy-duty Petstep 66222 is the best ramp for large dogs because it offers a superior weight capacity of 500 lbs. and an optimal 70-in length that provides your pets a gentle incline for stress-free climbing.
Besides supporting large pets, this ramp comes with a rubberized nonslip walking surface, which boosts traction in both wet and dry conditions.
Even though the unit is considerably long, you can fold it in half. Molded ergonomic handles have been added on both sides for ease of portability.
When swinging the Petstep 66222 shut, we advise that you take caution not to hurt your fingers because the ramp is notably heavy at 18.5 lbs.
Pros:
Cons:
PetSafe 62305's telescoping design enables the dog ramp to support canine access to SUVs while remaining stable and robust, thanks to its metallic and plastic construction.
You can extend its length between 39 in. and 72 in. to reach high vehicles, furniture, grooming, and veterinary tables while upholding your pet's comfort.
Slipping is a non-issue with this ramp because it offers a high-traction surface and side rails that enhance pet safety by preventing falling or slipping.
Since the best dog ramp for SUVs adopts an aluminum frame, cleaning and disinfecting it is relatively easy.
We didn't like the PetSafe 62305 ramp's locking latch, which is very weak and prone to breaking, especially with extensive usage.
Pros:
Cons:
The PetSafe PTV00-16821 offers reliable ramp support to your pets while adding an aesthetic touch with its decorative cherry and white finishes.
It features a heavy-duty carpeted walking surface, which provides optimal traction to help your pet walk up and down the ramp securely without falling or slipping.
With this ramp, pets of up to 120 lbs. in weight get to access high beds and sofas with minimal effort. It has a length of 70 in to provide a gentle climbing incline.
On the downside, Petstep 66222 is very bulky, at 28.79 lbs. Outdoor ramp usage is limited because of the carpet surface, which can catch dust pretty fast.
Pros:
Cons:
One of the safest ramps you can get for your dog is Pet Gear Travel Lite. It is generously wide at 4 inches, has raised edges to prevent your pet from slipping off the side.
It comes with a supertraX mat that offers a soft walking surface that protects your pets' paws and the car's interior. The carpet is removable for ease of cleaning.
At the ramp's bottom are rubberized grippers, which offer secure placement even when large dogs are walking on it.
On the downside, the Pet Gear Travel Lite ramp is big and weighs 27 lbs. making its handling a bit intimidating, especially when your dog is eager to get in or out of the car.
Pros:
Cons:
PetSafe 62462, our best lightweight dog ramp, combines a 10-lbs frame and a slim foldable design to achieve high portability, making it great for car and outdoor use.
Road trips with your pets just got a lot safer thanks to the ramp's strength and a high-traction nonslip surface, which prevent slipping or falling. The ramp also incorporates side rails for added pet safety.
For ease of storage, the ramp folds in half and locks using a safety latch, enabling you to lift and carry it easily. You'll also find the surfaces of this ramp easy to clean.
We noted that PetSafe 62462 lacks a reflective capacity, and since the ramp is black, dogs with visual impairment may struggle to distinguish it from car sidebars.
Pros:
Cons:
The Pet Gear PG9916CH adopts a proprietary supertraX mat, which is soft and tender to protect your pets' paws from strain or injury.
On the ramp's base are rubber grippers, which hold onto different surfaces securely, enhancing the unit's stability for your pet's paws.
You don't require any tools to assemble this ramp. It snaps together very quickly and will support pets of up to 150 lbs. Pets will find it easy to hop onto the ramp because its step is only 5 inches from the floor.
Key Features
The Pet Gear PG9300RF dog ramp is built for heavy-duty and safe usage with support for pets of up to 200 lbs. and use of high-visibility reflective materials.
On the ramp's sides are safety reflectors, which enhance visibility for you and your pet when in use. Its surface is slip-resistant so that your pet walks on it with sure footing.
Rubber grippers have also been added at the bottom to keep the unit steady. You'll find storing this ramp very stress-free because it folds to create a compact, portable piece.
Key Features
If you like cuddling your pet on the sofa, PetSafe 62459 is the dog ramp you need to get. It is carpeted to prevent your pet from sliding when getting on or off the couch.
The ramp's step touches the ground such that even the smallest pets such as cats or puppies can climb on effortlessly without having to hop or jump.
It comes in a decorative cherry and wood finish, which adds a touch of style to your living space by blending in elegantly with the furniture.
Key Features
Kurgo K01299's gentle incline favors pets suffering from dysplasia, arthritis, or old age by providing a low-stress entry point to cars and SUVs.
Measuring 62 inches in length, this ramp slopes gently to minimize bone or muscle strain. Its surface is slip-resistant to secure your pet further when walking on it.
Even though the ramp is long, it has a slim profile and even folds in half to save you storage space when not in use. Cleaning the ramp is also simple & straightforward.
Key Features
The Petmaker 80-PET6146 dog ramp offers a high-traction walking surface, which pairs well with raised side rails to enhance your pet's security by preventing falling or slipping.
This ramp is the perfect travel companion for you and your pets because of its bi-fold design, saving storage space. You can use the ramp on most trucks, sedans, and SUVs.
You can rely on the ramp to support dogs of all ages, including puppies and seniors. It is especially great at protecting your pets from jumping-induced joint shocks.
Key Features
Pet Trex A00010005 is a unique dog ramp whose telescoping design and superior 62-inch length offer excellent flexibility in your pets' secure access to places of varying heights.
This ramp features a strong aluminum frame and a rigid plastic walking surface for sturdiness and durability. The combination of materials allows the ramp to support pets of up to 220 lbs.
It relies on strong non-skid grooves and rubber feet to enhance grip on multiple surfaces, especially when fully extended while supporting heavy pets.
Key Features
The multipurpose Petmaker 80-PET5072 has proven reliable in assisting pets in climbing onto high couches, beds, and other furniture to give them better access to comfort and a human touch.
It features a foam-padded surface, which enhances traction and secures your pets' feet so that they don't slide or fall off the ramp.
Setting up this ramp is effortless. It only requires a simple unfolding and placement on the desired spot both indoors and outdoors. For storage, it folds conveniently to save space.
Key Features
If you own a low-profile car of furniture that your pets love to climb on, consider getting the Trixie 39476 dog ramp for them.
This uniquely-designed rap has walking surface strips of lightly-textured thermoplastic rubber to increase traction and secure your pets' footing.
It has also proven reliable in protecting pets' joints by eliminating the need for jumping. If your pet is arthritic, this ramp will make their life more comfortable.
For ease of storage and portability, the ramp is 3-way foldable and features a built-in handle that simplifies carrying.
Key Features
Most dog ramps implement fixed, folding, or telescoping designs. As the name suggests, a folding ramp can be folded in 2 or more ways to make it more compact for easy space-saving storage.
Fixed ramps have no folding capabilities, even though some support disassembly for ease of storage. Often, indoor ramps for beds and couches tend to adopt fixed designs.
Telescoping ramps can be extended or collapsed along their lengths. These tend to offer superior lengths in the 70 in. to 80 in. range. If you want the flexibility that allows your pet access to both high and low spaces, consider getting the telescoping PetSafe 62305 ramp.
Dog ramps come in varying sizes. When determining the ideal ramp size for your pet and usage demands, it's imperative to consider the platform's length, slope, and height.
Generally, the longer the ramp, the gentler the incline it creates for your dog, reducing the effort needed to climb up or down. On the downside, long ramps such as those in the 70-in range may require more storage space than shorter ones.
The height of a ramp impact the effort your pet requires walking across it. For arthritic dogs, for instance, low-height ramps are recommended to reduce muscle and joint strain.
A ramp's weight capacity determines the size of pet it can comfortably support while maintaining its sturdiness and structural integrity.
Most ramps are rated for holding dog weights in the range of 100 lbs. to 200 lbs. Some models offer even higher capacities, perhaps in anticipation of multiple pets using the platform simultaneously.
The heavy-duty Petstep 66222 has a superior weight capacity of 500 lbs. to support the largest possible dogs.
While a 200-lbs weight capacity is sufficient for most uses, ensure the ramp capacity you choose exceeds your dog's weight so that you can preserve the platform's sturdiness.
Ramp surface materials directly impact grip and traction, two elements that determine your pets' stability as it walks up or down the platform.
Materials such as pressure-activated carpets are popular for their superior traction and grip on paws. They offer paw protection through their soft textures. Rubberized textured surfaces are also great at boosting traction and preventing slipping or falling.
Other ramp features that enhance your pet's safety include side rails for minimizing side falls. Reflective strips are also useful for guiding the dog towards the platform or illuminating the walking surface.
Often, dog ramp portability becomes a priority if you frequently use it outdoor on the car. For such applications, a lightweight and compact ramp is the most portable.
While ramps are generally weighty, the heavy ones exceeding 20 lbs. are not as portable as those in the 10 - 20-lbs range. A ramp that's proven low-weight and fairly portable is PetSafe 62462.
Some ramps come with portability-enhancing features such as foldable designs, handles, or telescoping capabilities to reduce their space requirements during storage and transportation.
The durability of dog ramps depends mainly on the construction materials and build quality. Expect metallic ramps such as the aluminum-built PetSafe 62305 to remain reliable even after years of frequent use.
Metal is, however, not the only heavy-duty material that can make durable ramps. Tough plastic is also a worth durability contender. Plastic ramps resist rapid wear and are not susceptible to degradation by weather elements or corrosion.
Start by training your dog . If your dog is not familiar with a ramp and its use, then there's a high risk of the animal falling, slipping, or getting injured.
The training period varies depending on many factors such as ramp type, dog age, and even pet temperance. Train your pet with patience until it can use a ramp almost independently.
Always place the ramp on stable groun d. To maximize stability and eliminate wobbling, ensure the surface where the ramp's bottom rests is level.
Some ramps come with grippers to counter slipping. If yours has these, ensure all of them are touching the ground.
Check the walking surface. Ramps come with different walking surfaces, all of which have a significant impact on mobility.
When your dog begins walking on carpeted, rubberized, or textured surfaces, check the pet's movement and comfort levels to determine if it is struggling to maintain grip or not.
Supervise your pet . Often, dogs get excited about either getting into the car or out of it. The same behavior can occur even indoors when dealing with high surfaces.
Ensure you're attentive the entire period your dog is on the ramp. You may catch some potentially hazardous movement before it happens.
You can begin by laying the ramp flat on the ground and then leading your pet across its walking surface by offering treats.
When you succeed in this initial stage, repeat the same training, but on the vehicle that regularly carries the pet. Reinforce the process until your pet is comfortable walking on the ramp on its own.
No. Unless the ramp is specifically designed for pool use. Regular ground ramps do not have a mechanism to suspend them on water.
The ground ones tend to be bulky. They likely won't float on water. Therefore, to avoid putting your pet at risk, do not use a dog ramp in the pool.
PetSafe Happy Ride Folding Pet Ramp, 62 Inch, Portable Lightweight Dog and Cat Ramp, - Walmart Link
WeatherTech PetRamp, Folding Dog Ramp for Large Dogs to 300 Pounds, Traction Grip Ramps - Walmart Link
Sandinrayli Folding Pet Dog Ramp SUV and Car Ladder Stairs for Puppy Old Dogs Arthritis - Walmart Link
PetSafe Happy Ride Extra Long Telescoping Dog Ramp - Portable Pet Ramp - Great for Cars, - Walmart Link
PetSafe Happy Ride Deluxe Telescoping Pet Ramp - Standard, Portable, Lightweight, - Walmart Link
USA Made Adjustable Pet Ramp for All Dogs and Cats - for Couch or Bed with Paw Traction - Walmart Link
SASRL Adjustable Pet Ramp for All Dogs and Cats - Folding Portable Dog Ramp for Couch or - Walmart Link
The Pet Gear TL9371CH - Walmart Link
The heavy-duty Petstep 66222 - Walmart Link
PetSafe 62305's telescoping design - Walmart Link
Pet Gear Travel Lite - Walmart Link
The Pet Gear PG9916CH - Walmart Link
The Pet Gear PG9300RF - Walmart Link
Kurgo K01299's gentle incline - Walmart Link
The multipurpose Petmaker 80-PET5072 - Walmart Link
the telescoping PetSafe 62305 ramp - Walmart Link
PetSafe Happy Ride Folding Pet Ramp, 62 Inch, Portable Lightweight Dog and Cat Ramp, - eBay Link
WeatherTech PetRamp, Folding Dog Ramp for Large Dogs to 300 Pounds, Traction Grip Ramps - eBay Link
Sandinrayli Folding Pet Dog Ramp SUV and Car Ladder Stairs for Puppy Old Dogs Arthritis - eBay Link
PetSafe Happy Ride Extra Long Telescoping Dog Ramp - Portable Pet Ramp - Great for Cars, - eBay Link
PetSafe Happy Ride Deluxe Telescoping Pet Ramp - Standard, Portable, Lightweight, - eBay Link
USA Made Adjustable Pet Ramp for All Dogs and Cats - for Couch or Bed with Paw Traction - eBay Link
SASRL Adjustable Pet Ramp for All Dogs and Cats - Folding Portable Dog Ramp for Couch or - eBay Link
The Pet Gear TL9371CH - eBay Link
The heavy-duty Petstep 66222 - eBay Link
PetSafe 62305's telescoping design - eBay Link
Pet Gear Travel Lite - eBay Link
The Pet Gear PG9916CH - eBay Link
The Pet Gear PG9300RF - eBay Link
Kurgo K01299's gentle incline - eBay Link
The multipurpose Petmaker 80-PET5072 - eBay Link
the telescoping PetSafe 62305 ramp - eBay Link
If you want the best dog ramp for your pet, pick our first choice, Pet Gear PG9955CH. It adopts a soft protective mat and folds to form a compact, easy-to-transport unit.
If you're on a tight budget but desire a safe and durable ramp for your dog, we recommend Pet Gear TL9371CH. It supports pets weighing up to 200 lbs. Its weight is also manageable for ease of portability.
And if you own one or more large dogs exceeding 200 lbs. in weight, consider getting Petstep 66222 for them. The heavy-duty ramp has a superior 500-lb weight capacity.
About Patricia Jackson
Patricia just simply loves pets.
When she was eight years old, her parents got her a beautiful Maine Coon as a gift; and later an affectionate Husky.
Since then, she has raised them as her children; done minor first aid, taken in strays, administered antibiotics, bottle fed them when sick, and even midwifing.
Pat received her bachelor's degree in computer science at Univercity of Califronia Davis. She really hopes to transofrm her programming skills into something that really helpful for all pets someday. For now, lets just do that through writing.
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