Your dog used to jump onto the sofa or into the boot without a thought. Now it stops, looks, and sometimes gives up. A ramp or a small set of steps can take the jump out of it. Below: what UK animal charities say about them, how to measure for either, and how to get a wary dog to use one.
Ernest, one of our three Labradors, can't get into our Land Rover on his own. For now, we lift him in.
When a ramp or steps can help
Battersea says a ramp or small set of stairs "can be useful" for pets that can't jump onto the bed or sofa as easily as they used to (Battersea, senior dog care). Dogs Trust suggests "a small step or ramp" for a dog that struggles to get on the sofa because of age, breed, size or mobility (Dogs Trust, dogs on furniture). The RSPCA says you may need to lift an older dog into the car "or get a ramp" (RSPCA, senior dogs).
For dogs with stiff joints, Canine Arthritis Management says access to the bed or sofa should be made safer "by the use of a ramp or small steps" (CAM, home adaptations).
Dachshund owners get the same message. The Dachshund Breed Council advises against letting a dachshund climb stairs or jump on furniture, and says "ramps can be a great help" (Dachshund Breed Council, IVDD).
Ramp or steps?
None of the UK sources we read puts one above the other. What follows is our own view, and we only sell a ramp.
- Steps take up little floor space and suit a small dog and a low sofa or bed. Your dog has to place its feet one at a time, and each step is a small lift.
- A ramp is one smooth slope, with no lifting from step to step. It needs room to lie along, and the higher the boot or bed, the longer it has to be to stay gentle.
For the car, we'd go for a ramp: a boot floor is higher than a sofa seat, and steps that tall are less common. For a low bed, steps are often enough. If your dog is stiff or long in the back, ask your vet which one suits.
How to measure
No UK charity gives an ideal angle. The rule of thumb is simple: the longer the ramp for a given height, the gentler the slope.
- Measure from the floor, or the ground, to the top of the sofa seat, the bed or the boot floor.
- Compare that height with the ramp's length. Our ramp is 156 cm long: against a 45 cm sofa seat that's a gentle climb, against a 70 cm boot floor it's noticeably steeper.
- Check the width. A wider ramp is easier for a big or wobbly dog to stay on.
- Check the surface. CAM says any ramp or step needs a non-slip surface, with good grip. Look for a textured top and anti-slip feet underneath.
Getting your dog used to it
A ramp can look strange to a dog. Battersea says it's important to get your dog used to going up and down, "as some dogs may fear new objects", or may avoid them. CAM adds that your dog "may need gentle training to feel confident using a ramp" (CAM, home assessment).
The charities don't give a method, so here's what we'd do. Lay the ramp flat on the floor and let your dog sniff it. Reward a paw on it, then two. Raise it a little at a time, keep each session short, and never push your dog on. On laminate or tiles, a rug with a non-slip backing at the bottom helps.
The ramp in our range
Our folding dog ramp is 156 cm long and 40.6 cm wide when open, with a textured surface and anti-slip pads underneath. It folds in half to 79 x 40.6 x 17.5 cm, locks with a buckle and has a carry handle. At 4.3 kg it moves easily from the sofa to the car. It's the only ramp we sell, and we don't sell steps.
If the car is where your dog struggles most, our waterproof hammock for the back seat has side flaps that unzip, so an older dog can climb in from the side. For the sofa or the bed, an orthopaedic foam mattress gives your dog a thick, firm place to settle once it's up. We've tested that one ourselves. You'll find more in our car and travel dog beds, and our dog bed size guide by breed lists average weights for 32 breeds.
A note on the car
A ramp makes getting in and out safer. It doesn't replace restraint on the journey. Rule 57 of the Highway Code says to make sure dogs are "suitably restrained" so they can't distract you or injure themselves if you stop quickly, and names a seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard as ways to do it (Highway Code, rules about animals). Dogs Trust adds that letting a dog jump in and out of the car "can put them at risk of injury or accident" (Dogs Trust, car travel).
When to talk to your vet
A ramp makes life easier, but it isn't a treatment. The PDSA lists "reluctance to jump or use stairs" among the signs of limping and stiffness in dogs (PDSA, limping and stiffness). If your dog suddenly stops jumping, or seems stiff or in pain, book a check-up.
A quick checklist
- Measure the sofa seat, the bed or the boot floor
- Pick a ramp long enough for a gentle slope
- Look for a textured surface and anti-slip feet
- Start with the ramp flat on the floor, with treats
- Put a non-slip rug at the bottom of it if the floor is slippery
- Restrain your dog in the car once it's inside
- See your vet if your dog is stiff or reluctant to jump