RAMP OR STAIRS?

Routinely hopping on and off the furniture, in and out of a car, SUV, or truck stresses the joints and bones of any dog. Depending on your dog's age, physical condition, breed and how often he jumps in a day, the stairs or ramps can minimize the load these habitual movements place on your pets joints.

 

WHEN DOES YOUR DOG NEED A RAMP OR STAIRS?

Senior dogs: There’s a lot of wear and tear throughout the years in the older dogs' joints. Ramps and Stairs is a much more comfortable way in helping out your senior pet onto their favorite furniture, or into the car and can benefit any elderly dog.

Arthritic dogs: For any dog with arthritis, hopping up and down can cause pain, hasten joint deterioration, and ultimately become impossible as the disease progresses. Getting your pet a ramp is a better choice than stairs for senior dogs and dogs with joint ailments, who often face increasing difficulty tackling stairs of any kind.

An arthritic dog’s quality of life will improve dramatically with a dog ramp, primarily because he can stick with you at home and in the car despite reduced mobility. It would be savvy to consider introducing your aging or arthritic dog to a ramp before he absolutely needs it. This will help them become comfortable with the aid while he is still mobile and sure of his foot.

Small breed dogs: Smaller dogs that love jumping on and off the furniture and will do so umpteen times throughout the day. Know that just because your tiny fur ball appears to leap on and off the couch with ease and agility, doesn't mean he should. Over the months and certainly the years, the prancing up and down can stress your dog's joints, cause injuries, and is a risk factor for canine arthritis. A dog ramp or dog stairs will protect a little dog's joints by at least reducing the number of times he leaps each day.

Dog stairs or a dog ramp will also help a toy breed who is too small to jump successfully to the bed or couch, and will save your back the agony of constantly scooping him up.

Puppies: The joints and bones of puppies continue to develop through the stages of maturing. Recurring jumping, hard landings, or an awkward leap can result in immediate injury or cause possible problems later on. For puppies, training to use a dog ramp or dog stairs is often minimal, as they will usually take to them like kids to playground equipment. Keep in mind, even energetic puppies should take dog stairs and household stairs slowly and shouldn't leap past the last few steps.

Dogs recovering from an injury or surgery: After an injury or surgical procedure, your dog will likely need help reaching his favorite places. A dog ramp is the best bet for post-surgery dogs or handicapped dogs, because they are slightly easier to travel up and down than stairs.

 

WHICH IS BEST — DOG RAMPS OR DOG STAIRS?

A dog ramp or dog stairs will be beneficial in most situations.

Here are a few factors that will help inform your ideal choice:

• If the furniture is off limits and your dog only leaps into or out of the car, choose a sturdy, outdoor dog ramp that telescopes for ease of storage, or a vehicle step.
• If your dog needs help only with a few favorite pieces of furniture, portable lightweight dog stairs are your best bet.
• If your dog has a longstanding phobia of steps, training him to use a dog ramp is a better strategy.
• If space is an issue, a foldable/stow away dog ramp can be tucked out of sight between uses.