Dog Stairs vs Dog Ramps: Which Is Better for Senior Dogs, Small Breeds and Sore Joints?

10-minute read · Researched with Canadian veterinary, government and animal-welfare sources · Sources listed at the end

Choose a ramp if your dog has back trouble, is a long-backed breed such as a Dachshund or Corgi, has significant arthritis, or needs help getting into a car. Choose stairs if your dog is fairly agile and you want a compact way up to the couch or bed. That is the dog stairs vs ramp decision in short.

With the clocks falling back on November 1 and icy, stiff-jointed mornings ahead across most of Canada, this is a good month to look at how your older dog gets on and off furniture. Jumping down is the move to stop: Canine Arthritis Resources and Education says jumping down from a bed or out of an SUV puts a lot of force on the joints and is not recommended for any dog.

Dog stairs vs ramp: which one does your dog need?

Both options do the same basic job: they replace a jump with a controlled walk. The 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines list appropriate use of ramps, along with rugs or yoga mats for better footing and suitable beds, among the home changes that help ageing dogs and cats stay mobile. The right choice comes down to your dog's body, the height involved and the room you have.

Why are ramps recommended for Dachshunds, Corgis and other long-backed dogs?

The main concern is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), where a spinal disc bulges or ruptures and presses on the spinal cord. The Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine names the Dachshund, French Bulldog, Corgi, Beagle, Basset Hound and Miniature Poodle among the breeds at higher risk, and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons notes these breeds typically show signs between three and six years of age, so this is not only a senior-dog issue.

Vets at the University of Illinois say they try to discourage at-risk pets from jumping on and off furniture. Texas A&M adds that keeping steps next to the bed or couch may help prevent jumping injuries, while the AKC suggests ramps for breeds prone to back problems such as Dachshunds, Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Basset Hounds. In practice, either beats jumping, and many owners of long-backed dogs choose a ramp because there is no step-up at all.

If your dog has already had a disc episode or surgery, ask your veterinarian before introducing either. VCA Canada notes that during exercise restriction, jumping on and off raised surfaces puts strain on the body, and some dogs are kept to one floor to avoid stairs entirely.

How to measure height and work out the ramp angle

Measure from the floor to where your dog will actually land: the top of the couch cushion, the top of the mattress, or the cargo floor or seat of your vehicle. Then compare that number with the length of the ramp or the top-step height of the stairs.

The slope of a ramp is simple geometry: the same ramp gets steeper as the height rises. There is no single veterinary standard angle. CARE and the AKC both simply say a ramp should not be too steep, so treat the chart below as a way to compare options, not a target.

Your dog is the final judge. Hesitating at the bottom, crouching, scrambling or leaping off partway are all signs a slope is too steep for that dog. For stairs, look for a top step at or just under the landing height, treads deep enough for all four paws, and a rise your dog can manage without hopping.

What to look for in dog stairs for bed and couch use

Grip

The AKC puts non-slip material at the top of the list because it prevents slipping and builds confidence. Carpet, textured rubber or a grippy fabric cover all help. Remember the floor too: a ramp that slides on hardwood is a hazard, so check for non-slip feet or set it on a rug.

Width and stability

CARE says ramps must be wide enough for a dog to feel secure walking up and down, and sturdy enough for the dog's size. A ramp that flexes or rocks will put off a cautious senior very quickly.

Washable cover

Wet paws, slush and road salt are part of a Canadian winter. A removable, washable cover keeps foam steps fresh and the grip working.

Adjustability

Height-adjustable ramps let you match different furniture, or start low during training and raise the height as your dog gains confidence, which is exactly the approach the AKC recommends.

Do you need a dog ramp for the car?

For large seniors, yes, it is often the single most useful mobility aid. CARE calls a ramp or step, potentially paired with a harness or sling, very important for helping dogs out of an SUV or truck, and says these aids help particularly when a dog is getting down or out.

• Park on level ground and, if the ramp has a support leg, extend it before your dog steps on.
• Keep your dog on a leash and walk beside the ramp, not in front of it.
• Practise exits as much as entries.
• Brush off snow and ice and dry the surface before use; a wet, frozen ramp loses grip.

How to train your dog to use stairs or a ramp

CARE is blunt that the biggest challenge is getting your dog to use them. The AKC recommends never forcing a dog onto the equipment and instead luring with treats or a favourite toy, rewarding each step.

1. Let your dog sniff and explore the stairs or ramp on the floor, with treats placed on it.
2. For a ramp, start with it flat or on a low step, and lure your dog across.
3. Raise the height gradually over several short sessions.
4. Practise the descent as often as the climb.
5. Once your dog is confident, block the old jumping route so the new habit sticks.

Our picks from Petcarestore.ca

Browse the full pet stairs and ramps collection, and pair your choice with a supportive bed from our dog beds and loungers. For more on comfort at home, read Senior Dog Care: 8 Adjustments That Add Years, our guide to orthopedic memory foam dog beds and the Canadian dog bed sizing guide.

Frequently asked questions

Are stairs or ramps better for senior dogs?

It depends on the dog. A ramp is usually the safer pick for seniors with significant arthritis, back problems or weak hind legs, because there is no stepping up and the AKC notes sloping ramps are gentler on sore joints. A steady senior with mild stiffness may do well on wide, shallow stairs. Ask your veterinarian if your dog has a diagnosed spine or joint condition.

What size dog stairs do I need for a bed?

Measure from the floor to the top of the mattress, then choose stairs whose top step sits at or just below that height, so your dog steps across rather than up. Check that each tread is deep enough for your dog to stand on with all four paws, and that the step rise is low enough to climb without hopping. Small or short-legged dogs need lower rises.

What angle should a dog ramp for a couch be?

There is no single veterinary standard, but gentler is better. Slope depends on ramp length and couch height: a 150 cm ramp to a 40 cm seat works out to about 15 degrees, while the same ramp to a 60 cm bed is about 24 degrees. If your dog hesitates, crouches or scrambles, the ramp is too steep for them, so choose a longer one.

Are dog stairs good for small dogs?

Yes, for most healthy small dogs, stairs are a compact way to reach the couch or bed and they save a lot of jumping. Pick a step rise that suits short legs and a non-slip surface. The exception is long-backed breeds prone to disc disease, such as Dachshunds and Corgis, where the AKC suggests a ramp instead. Your vet can advise for your individual dog.

How do I get my dog to use a car ramp?

Start indoors with the ramp laid flat or on a low step, lure your dog across with treats and reward every few steps. Gradually raise one end over several short sessions before moving to the car. Park on level ground, extend any support leg, keep your dog on a leash and practise going down as well as up, since exiting the vehicle is where jumping does the most harm.

Sources and further reading

• American Kennel Club — Does Your Dog Need Dog Stairs or a Ramp?
• Canine Arthritis Resources and Education — Assistive Devices for Dogs with Arthritis
• AAHA — 2023 Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: Pain Management
• American College of Veterinary Surgeons — Intervertebral Disc Disease
• Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine — Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs
• University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine — Big Dogs, Little Dogs Get Disc Disease
• VCA Canada Animal Hospitals — Exercise Restriction in Dogs