Jumping up and down from furniture and vehicles can wreak havoc on your dog's joints over time. Using pet stairs or one of the best dog safety ramps to help your dog get onto furniture or into the vehicle will take the stress off your dog's joints. Pet amps and pet steps are a great preventative measure to keep serious conditions like arthritis and hip dysplasia at bay.
Pet owners are sometimes unsure which way to go – dog stairs/steps or dog ramps? While it depends on the situation and your (and your dog's preference), there is a big advantage to picking the best dog safety ramps over stairs – unlike dog steps or stairs, ramps are easier for pets to use.
Dog ramps are easier for owners to use too, and there are less variations to choose from when shopping, meaning less confusion. Most pet ramps for dogs are made to help a dog climb into a car, which means these dog ramps have to be long and quite sturdy. But you can also find smaller models to use indoors to assist dogs with climbing onto beds.
In this article we'll discuss some of the best safety ramps for dogs, how they work and how to find the perfect fit for your pet. We've rounded up five best dog ramps available and provide a lowdown on each one of these top rated pet ramps below:
| Dog Safety Ramps | Price | Quality | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rage Lightweight Extra-Wide Folding Ramp | $$ | A+ |  |
| PetSTEP Folding Ramp | $ | B+ |  |
| Solvit Deluxe Telescoping Ramp | $$ | B | |
| Pet Gear Ramp | $$ | C |  |
| Solvit UltraLite Bi-Fold Ramp | $ | C- | |
* Click on the best dog safety ramps for more information, prices and details. Or scroll down below to read reviews.
How to choose the best dog safety ramp?
Picking the right type of dog safety ramp for vehicles (or furniture) is essential. Not doing the research before buying may result in you getting a pet ramp that doesn't fit your vehicle or the one that your dog refuses to climb. So here are a few tips.
Measuring is very important. When you're shopping for dog stairs or steps (and not ramps), you only need to measure the height of the platform that your dog needs to get to.
There's a bit more to it when it comes to choosing the best safety dog ramps. You need to be sure that you purchase a ramp that is long enough to keep a gradual slope. The steeper the slope, the more difficult it will be for your dog to climb it.
First, you'll need to decide where you'll be using the ramp. If you'll be using it in multiple places, choose the highest platform. Measure the height from the platform down to the ground with a gradual slope.
Second, try to find the best dog safety ramps that will meet the length requirement. If you can't find the exact length you need, get a ramp that is a bit longer. A longer ramp will make the slop more gradual, but a short ramp will increase the slope.
Third, weight your dog and ensure that the pet ramp you're about to purchase can support your dog's weight. Give it a few extra pounds (5-10 lbs at the least) to be on the safer side. Most best dog safety ramps will support small and medium dogs, but few will work for large breed dogs.
Fourth, pay attention to the surface of the ramp. Ideally, a ramp should provide some traction for your dog as he climbs up and down. This is especially important for arthritic dogs that should not stress themselves. A dog ramp with good traction will also work better in all types of weather conditions.
If you're a DIYer, you may be able to follow plans to build your own dog safety ramp. A quick Google search will bring up hundreds of videos and websites full of instructions on how to build a DYI dog ramp. (Depending on your access to materials, some of these DIY projects may turn out to be more expensive than a commercial dog ramp.)
Finally, for your own convenience, consider buying a pet ramp for dogs that folds for easy storage or transportation. Lugging around a huge board will get very old very quick.
Need help with teaching your dog how to help into a car using a dog safety ramp? Watch our video guide and the step by step instructions on 3 techniques here.
What are the Best Dog Safety Ramps?
top 5 pet ramps for furniture and vehicles
1Rage Lightweight Extra-Wide Folding Ramp
This solid ramp from Rage Powersports is made of durable aluminum measuring 18.75” wide and was designed to carry pets weighing up to 250 lbs.
High traction tape lines the surface to avoid accidents by making the ramp non-slip and more paw-friendly. It is available in lengths of 6, 7, and 8 feet and is suitable for use in most SUVs, trailers, trucks and vans.
- Dog safety ramp reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
This is one of the best dog safety ramps because it folds in the middle and has an easy-carry handle. It only weighs 23 pounds, which means it's easy to take along in the car. This has been a most helpful accessory for pet owners whose dogs are either too old, too weak or too small to climb into the car. And for those with senior or injured large breed dogs, the need is even more pronounced. The gradual incline and the extra width of the Rage Powersports Lightweight Extra-Wide Folding Aluminum Pet Ramp makes the dog's climb less painful and more dignified.
There’s some noise when the dogs walk on it, but it doesn’t seem to bother the dogs or the humans. Other reviewers were not happy with sharp edges of this ramp. On the other hand, some pet owners were so impressed with this ramp that after having tested it on their car, they decided to buy one for their decks at home. It worked just as effectively, and they were very pleased.
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Most helpful review (read the full Amazon review): “I've spent a lot of time researching ramps for my Great Dane. She is almost 8 years old and just recently has thrown out her back, making the jump into my Tahoe very difficult. Most ramps are either…”
2PetSTEP Folding Pet Ramp
The PetSTEP foldable pet ramp is constructed of top-quality composite plastic and fiberglass that supports pets weighing up to 500 lbs. It opens to its full length and needs no hardware for installing. Its dimension when opened is 70”x17”x2.5”.
The top edge is designed to connect securely to any vehicle. The surface is ridged and rubberized so that it prevents slipping while it stays soft on the paws at the same time. It folds nicely to a compact size of 36”x17”x5.75” and weighs 18.75 lb.
- Dog safety ramp reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
This product is available in gray and khaki colors. Pet owners have been really happy with this product, referring to it as one of the best dog safety ramps. For one, it has no lining or traction tape that could peel or wear off with the elements. Instead, the PetSTEP Folding Pet Ramp has a rubberized surface that has been integrated in the plastic material. There are side guards along the length so that any wobbly canine feels more confident traversing the ramp.
The universal connector is very stable even when used for non-car inclines, such as the steep front steps of a house. These superior qualities have easily made this ramp outlive many of the dogs it served, and it’s even covered by a 5-year warranty. Pet owners find this very reassuring and they definitely think this is money well spent.
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3Solvit Deluxe XL Telescoping Ramp
This pet ramp from Solvit is an upgrade to previous models. This version is constructed from an excellently engineered combination of aluminum and plastic for superior strength and longevity.
This XL upgrade now has an unbelievable width of 20” for a wider walking space. The length of this telescoping ramp extends from 48” to 87”. The ramp slides to a convenient length for storing and has a handle for portability.
- Dog safety ramp reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
Pet owners trust this ramp not only because it is superbly built, but also because the added dimensions make for a much gentler climb for their pets. The 20-inch wide walking space is a rare feature among ramps. And, while there are other longer models or brands available out there, the flexibility in length offered by the Solvit Deluxe XL Telescoping Pet Ramp is yet another unique feature.
Some used this beside their front stairs and they are very impressed at how it has stood up to rain and snow. Its great width makes it comfortable for their ungainly pets to deal with. This is one of the best dog safety ramps because the extended length cuts down the angle and makes the height easier for dogs to take. For all these great features of strength and extra dimensions, pet owners were very pleased with the price tag.
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4Pet Gear Ramp
The best dog safety ramps we’ve featured above all attach at the top end to the vehicle. This one from Pet Gear is free-standing. It has advantages which pet owners find very crucial, especially for really large dog breeds.
The smallest size is designed to hold up well to large breed dogs with weights of up to 200 pounds. Other sizes were designed for much higher weight-bearing capacities up to 350 lb. The width varies between these capacities from 16” to 19”, while the height is constant at 23”.
- Dog safety ramp reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
Pet owners with large dogs that need a ramp have searched various styles and brands, and they found this to be the most affordable option for them. This has the advantage of being supported at three points and does not depend on a connector or hold on the vehicle to keep it standing. As such, the Pet Gear Pet Ramp is a more secure option for really heavy dogs trying to make it safely up a vehicle.
The walking surface is carpeted for a surer grip and to make the surface contact softer for pets with long nails. Pet owners were first apprehensive about their gigantic dogs making the climb, but they noticed no wobbling or giving in. This ramp folds neatly, too, so it’s easy to stow in the car whenever that huge mutt rides along.
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5Solvit UltraLite Bi-Fold Ramp
Another of the best dog safety ramps from Solvit, but this one is probably their most cost-effective model. It is constructed of hard plastic, folds in the middle, and has a sandpapered tread surface.
It measures 62”x16”x4” and weighs only 10 lb. It designed to support pets weighing up to 150 lbs. This versatile and no-fuss ramp is perfect for making climbs of up to 24 inches high much easier on the pet.
- Dog safety ramp reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
According to some pet owners, they’ve been using this ramp for more than 3 years and it has held up really well through the changes in weather. There were no visible signs of cracking or peeling off. Some pets didn’t take too well to the sandpaper traction, so their owners peeled this off and replaced it with carpet. The extra work and expense didn’t seem to bother owners as these were minor things. On the whole, the Solvit UltraLite Bi-Fold Pet Ramp is one of the best dog safety ramps for the price.
This rugged pet ramp is so lightweight it can be carried using one hand. When folded, it’s quite compact and occupies only a little space in the trunk. For this reason, pet owners take it wherever they go and it has become a kind of fixture in the car. It has high usability, is very economical, requires low maintenance and takes rugged handling. There doesn’t seem to be another product this cheap that performs as well – it definitely deserves a place in our top 5 best dog safety ramps.
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