Dog ramps can be an essential part of caring for your dog in their older years. But with so many out there to choose from it can be difficult to know which one to buy. Let this buying guide take out the guesswork as we take you through our 10 best dog ramps for the car.
So what are the different types of dog car ramps and which one will be best for you and your dog? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know including their benefits and FAQs.
What are Dog Ramps
Dog ramps help dogs gain access to certain household or outdoor areas. Most commonly, indoor ramps are used to help pets reach high areas like sofas and beds, and outdoor ramps are used to help them get in and out of the car safely.
Benefits
Ramps for dogs are beneficial for dogs that have limited mobility. This could be older dogs with arthritis, pregnant dogs, or any dog with a disability that affects their mobility. The most common of these is arthritis, which affects 4 out of 5 aging dogs.
Activities such as climbing and jumping in and out of cars place strain on the joints of dogs with mobility issues and make symptoms worse. They can also increase the risk of injury in unsteady dogs. The problem is – no dog wants to stop getting up on the sofa for cuddles or going on fun family trips out. And we don’t want them to either! Investing in a ramp provides a strain-free alternative to climbing and jumping whilst allowing your dog to stay confident and maintain their independence and quality of life. The use of ramps can also play a part in the prevention of arthritis symptoms in aging dogs.
On top of helping dogs with joint and mobility issues, ramps can also relieve owners of having to lift their dogs in and out of the car which can damage their own joints!
Types of Dog Ramps for Cars
Before taking a look at our favorite dog ramps for cars, you should consider which type of car ramp may be best for you.
Fixed Ramps
Fixed ramps are stable and well-suited for long-term use. They come in one piece and don’t fold for storage. They’re most often used indoors but can be used for the car too.
Foldable Ramps
Foldable ramps, as the name would suggest, fold in half for convenient storage and are portable for easy traveling. You also get tri-folding ramps that fold three ways.
Telescopic Ramps
Similar to folding ramps, telescopic ramps retract using panels that slide over one another. They are adjustable in size and ideal for owners that want a ramp to use with more than one vehicle.
What To Look For in a Car Ramp For Your Dog
There are a variety of pet ramps for the car out there, and even for boats, usually priced somewhere between $60 and $100. Whatever the reason for your purchase, these are the things to take into consideration when looking for a car ramp for your dog.
Size
First and foremost, your dog’s ramp should be long enough to reach your car and wide enough for them to use it safely. It should be wider than the widest measurement on their body, most likely across their shoulders. You also need to make sure that it can support their weight.
Design
The design is also extremely important to ensure your dog’s safety. The ramp needs to be stable and durable to prevent accidents. Metal ramps, for example, tend to be more stable and durable than plastic ones.
You may also want to consider other features, such as non-slip feet for safety in wet weather, and the surface material. The surface material should be waterproof and high traction to prevent slips in unsteady dogs, but comfortable enough to walk across.
Convenience
You may also want to consider convenience factors like collapsibility for easy storage and travel, the appearance of the design if it’s also going to be used indoors, and how easy it is to clean.
10 Best Dog Ramps For Cars
These are the ten best dog ramps for cars currently available on Amazon.
1. AlphaPaw PawRamp
AlphaPaw’s PawRamp comes in four adjustable height options; 12, 16, 20, and 24 inches. All of them are 40 inches long, 16 inches wide, and can support up to 80 lbs in weight. The ramp also comes in a “lite” option that is available in 12 and 16-inch heights. AlphaPaw’s PawRamp Lite is 32.5 inches in length and 14 inches wide, supporting up to 70 lbs in weight.
AlphaPaw’s pet ramps are completely handmade and arrive fully assembled for easy set-up. The lightweight wooden frame is topped with a non-slip ridged carpet for safe use, and it’s foldable for convenient storage. It’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and is available in four stylish colors; natural, white, light brown, and dark brown.
The product is only available on Alphapaw’s website and comes highly recommended by buyers with almost no bad reviews.
2. PetSTEP Original Folding Pet Ramp
This PetStep pet ramp comes in grey or graphite and is perfect for larger dogs. The non-corrosive rubber surface is waterproof and non-slip. It measures 70 x 17 inches and weighs 18.5 lbs. It is easy to clean, soft on paws, and can support a whopping 500 lbs in weight.
The ramp’s universal grip fits all vehicles and edges. It folds in half for easy storage and traveling and is one of the best-selling and best-rated dog ramps for cars on Amazon.
3. PetSafe Happy Ride Folding Pet Ramp
This lightweight folding ramp by PetSafe is 62 x 16 inches and weighs 10 lbs. It’s perfect for any sized vehicle and can support up to 150 lbs in weight. The ramp is made of plastic and has an easy to clean, high-traction surface with side rains to prevent falls. It also folds in half and locks with a safety latch for convenience.
Some reviews mention that the ramp doesn’t actually have anything to latch on to your vehicle with, only rubber feet to keep it in place. It is a good buy if you want something inexpensive that basically does the job, but you may still have to assist your dog in getting in and out of the car by holding the ramp for ensured security.
4. PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping Pet Ramp
Another PetSafe product, this telescopic ramp can expand between 39-72 inches x 4.75 inches and weighs 13 lbs. It can support up to 400 lbs and is adjustable for use with different vehicles. It’s super lightweight and similarly to the product above, has a high-traction surface with side rails to prevent slips and falls.
The ramp is an Amazon’s Choice product and buyers can purchase an additional carry case for a small fee. Reviews love the product with many calling it great value for money, although some reviews do say that the surface material can be a little rough for sensitive paws.
5. Pet Gear Travel Lite Ramp with SupertraX
This tri-folding travel ramp by PetGear is 71 x 19.5 inches and weighs 27 lbs. It can hold up to 200 lbs and is also available in a bi-folding option. The surface mat utilizes pressure-activated gripping SupertraX material that is removable for easy cleaning. This means the more pressure your dog puts on the mat, the stronger the grip is, ensuring complete stability.
The raised edges prevent slips and fall and the ramp even has a built-in handle for easy portability. This ramp is another Amazon’s Choice product and many reviews note that the product is very well made and high quality. Although it is on the heavy side, which may not suit some owners.
6. Pet Gear Travel Lite Bi-Fold Ramp
This lightweight bi-folding ramp by PetGear is 42 x 16 inches and weighs around 10 lbs. It supports up to 200 lbs in weight and has rubber grippers for security. The ramp also has a soft tread that is gentle on paws that is removable for easy cleaning and a handle for portability. It’s perfect for SUVs and very sturdy. Reviews praise the effectiveness of the product and echo that it’s great for sensitive paws.
7. WeatherTech Folding Pet Ramp
This folding pet ramp by WeatherTech is 67 x 15 inches in size and weighs 16 lbs. Lightweight but strong, this ramp can support up to 300 lbs in weight. It also features a high-traction, soft rubber surface, and has grips on the feet to prevent slipping in wet weather.
The product is designed and made in the USA and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Reviews claim that the product is very sturdy and provides them with peace of mind.
8. Pet Gear Tri-Fold Ramp
This tri-folding pet ramp by PetGear is 71 x 19.5 inches and weighs 25 lbs. It holds up to 200 lbs and folds up three ways for storage. It also has a built-in handle for portability and a slip-resistant surface with rubber grippers.
The ramp also features high-visibility stripes to guide pets. This is extremely useful for when you travel late at night or for dogs with visual impairments. Reviews love the product and say it makes life much easier when traveling.
9. Gen7Pets Natural Step Dog Ramp
This car ramp by Gen7Pets is 72 x 16 inches and lightweight at only 17lbs. It is perfect for bigger vehicles like SUVs and has an adjustable height for use with different vehicles. The ramp also folds in half for convenience and is extremely thin for super easy storage. It can support up to 250 lbs in weight and has a helpful strap to secure the ramp to the vehicle when in use.
The walking surface material is poly-grass; a grass-like material that is perfect for dogs who are nervous about trying something new. The bright green color also helps older dogs with impaired vision to guide themselves up and down the ramp. Buyers seem to like the product, with many reviews claiming the familiar surface material works well for getting anxious dogs into the car.
10. Pet Gear Free-Standing Ramp
This free-standing ramp by Pet Gear is lightweight at 16 lbs and measures 56 x 16 inches. It supports up to 200 lbs in weight and utilizes pressure-activated gripping SupertraX material. The frame is plastic with a soft carpeted surface material that is removable for easy cleaning.
It’s perfect for dogs with longer claws who need something extra to grip. The ramp also folds for easy storage and buyers seem to love the product. In fact, a lot of reviewers say that their dogs appear to feel more confident in the car when they use it.
The Best Dog Ramps For The Car – FAQ
Your dog’s ramp should be long enough to reach your car and wide enough for them to use it safely. It should be wider than the widest measurement on their body, most likely across their shoulders, and sturdy enough to support their weight.
Ramps for dogs are beneficial for dogs that have limited mobility. This could be older dogs with arthritis, pregnant dogs, or any dog with a disability that affects their mobility. The most common of these is arthritis, which affects 4 out of 5 elderly dogs.
Activities such as climbing and jumping in and out of cars place unnecessary strain on the joints of dogs with mobility issues and increase their risk of injury. Ramps provide a strain-free alternative to climbing and jumping whilst maintaining independence and quality of life.
Dog ramps should be angled somewhere between 18-25 degrees. This may seem steep, but dogs have a lower center of gravity than humans and are able to balance themselves much better than we are because of their extra legs.
Practice! Start by placing the ramp flat on the floor in a familiar place, such as in the house or garden. Encourage them to walk across it using their favorite toy or a treat and reward them with lots of praise.
Once they get used to it, try it again as a ramp and put it up against whatever you are intending it to be used for. If your dog is still cautious and the ramp is adjustable, try it with something at a low angle first and build it up from there.
For dogs with joint problems, using a ramp is better than using the stairs. Actions such as climbing increase the strain on their joints and can make any symptoms they have worse.
Owners can make their own ramps using some plywood and carpet, but it’s best to buy a commercial one. Commercial pet ramps that have been specially designed by experts will have the appropriate safety features for ensured security.
Those are our best dog ramps for cars. No dog should have to miss out on going out on family trips because they are getting older. If your dog is aging or suffers from some kind of mobility issue, why not invest in a car ramp?