Does My Dog Need a Pet Ramp?

One commonly asked question from many dog owners is “Does my dog need a pet ramp?”. This question primarily comes from dog owners of small breeds (take Dachshunds for example), medium/large breeds or senior dogs who are looking for more joint support as they get older.

Today, we’re answering that commonly asked question while providing extra information including how to pick the right dog ramp, what to look for and some helpful and exciting features of our newest White Indoor Pet Ramp.

How To Know If My Dog Needs A Pet Ramp?

Let’s begin by answering the “Does my dog need a pet ramp?” question. Below are some examples/situations where an indoor dog ramp would be ideal for your dog:

1. You have a senior dog with joint issues or hip dysplasia
2. You have a dog recovering from surgery
3. The furniture in your home is too high to reach
4. You own a smaller dog breed who needs extra support when reaching certain surfaces and heights (i.e. Dachshund, Bulldog, Corgis, etc.)

If any of the above resonated with you, then you probably do need an indoor dog ramp for your pup! But, how do you know what kind of indoor pet ramp to get? Let’s dive into what to look for in an indoor pet ramp next!

How To Pick The Right Dog Ramp:​

When choosing an indoor dog ramp for your pup, there are a few questions to ask yourself first:

1. What surfaces am I helping my dog to reach?
   • Most indoor ramps for dogs can be adjusted to different heights, allowing your dog to access different furniture or areas of the home. Take a moment to measure all of the areas your dog likes to spend the most time on (bed, couch, chair, etc.). Once you’ve measured how high it is, you can then accurately narrow down your indoor dog ramp choices to one that provides a proper incline.
2. How much does my dog weigh?
   • Every indoor dog ramp has a weight limit. There are pet ramps for small dogs and pet ramps for large dogs, each with different maximum weight capacities. Knowing how much your dog weighs is an important factor when choosing a safe indoor ramp for your dog.
3. Do I want to take the indoor dog ramp with me when traveling?
   • Most indoor dog ramps come in collapsible, folding and portable pet ramp designs. If you’re a dog owner who likes to travel with their dogs, ask yourself “How am I traveling with the ramp?” (i.e. in my car, RV, etc.) and “How much room do I have once other travel items are packed?”. Knowing how much room you have in your transportation vehicle also helps choose the right portable pet ramp.

Additional Indoor Pet Ramp Features To Look For:​

Now that we’ve covered those important questions, let’s talk about a few more important features to look for in an indoor dog ramp:

Indoor Dog Ramp Traction Surface​:

When looking for ramps for dogs to get on the bed or couch, you want to make sure the ramp has a high traction surface to prevent your dog from slipping. Many indoor dog ramps have a carpet tread that allows your dog to easily grip while they are walking up on the incline.

Indoor Dog Ramp Width​:

When choosing a bedside dog ramp, you want to make sure that the width of the indoor dog ramp provides enough room for your pet to walk on. The best way to confirm the width is to add a few inches from the widest part of your dog’s body (think shoulders).

If the ramp is too narrow, you run the risk of your dog falling off which no dog owner wants! If you’re a dog owner of a longer small breed like a Dachshund or Corgi, choose a dog ramp that runs a bit wider so they have enough room to turn around.

Every dog ramp provides measurements on each product page, making it easy to know if the indoor pet ramp is too small for your dog!

Indoor Dog Ramp Incline/Height​:

Finding an indoor dog ramp that accurately matches your furniture height is crucial. If the indoor dog ramp is set at its maximum height and there’s still a good amount of space for your dog to cover in order to reach the furniture surface, the ramp is too short. When it’s too short, unwanted stress can occur on your dog’s joints.

Carlson Pet Products White Indoor Pet Ramp Features:​

Now that we’ve covered everything to look for in an indoor dog ramp, we had to share more information about our newest product, the Carlson Pet Products White Indoor Pet Ramp! This indoor dog ramp has many great features including:

• Rubber feet and no-slip carpet tread for added safety
• Adjustable legs that interlock, allowing it to store flat when not in use
• Retaining lock to hold leg braces
• Easy handle for carrying around the home
• Adjustable to four different heights: 12″, 16″, 20″ and 24″
• Weight limit of 80 pounds
• Collapsible, portable design

Bonus Tip: How To Teach Your Dog To Use A Pet Ramp:​

If your dog has never used an indoor dog ramp before, here are 3 basic steps for introducing your dog to their very first indoor pet ramp:

1. Extend your indoor dog ramp all the way and place flat on the ground.
2. Encourage your dog to walk on the ramp on the ground (some dogs will immediately walk on it, others might need a little motivation from treats).
3. Once your dog has confidently walked across it on the ground, place it next to your furniture and slowly begin to increase the incline, encouraging them to walk on it.

Once they’ve gained more confidence to walk on it at the incline it needs to be set at, reward your dog and encourage them to use it in the future!

Do you feel more confident looking for an indoor dog ramp for your pup? We hope so! If you have any questions on the information shared above, send your questions over Instagram and we’ll get our best dogs on it!