Top 10 Best Dog Ramps and Steps to Help Your Pooch into Beds or Couches

Many dogs, both large and small, don’t seem to need a ramp or even an invitation to jump up on your bed or couch. For certain breeds of healthy adult dogs, this isn’t a problem. However, jumping does put stress on a dog’s spine and joints, and this can cause health problems in some dogs. For example, puppies’ joints are still growing, and senior dogs often suffer from arthritis.

Additionally, some dog breeds are so prone to back problems that they should be prohibited from jumping. Perhaps the most notorious of these breeds is the dachshund, which is prone to a genetic spinal condition called intervertebral disc disease, or IVDD. Up to 25% of dachshunds will suffer from IVDD at some point. Although jumping and other activities don’t cause IVDD, they can make it worse. Even in dachshunds without the condition, jumping puts unnecessary strain on the back and can cause injury. Thus, many dog owners want to know the best dog ramps for dachshunds to help them join their humans on the furniture.

However, other breeds like corgis, poodles, Pekingese, beagles, and Shih-Tzus are also prone to back problems and can benefit from a pet ramp for the bed. A dachshund ramp is good for small breeds, but there are plenty of larger ramps and stairs that can hold the weight of even the largest dogs. Don’t wait until your dog is suffering from back or joint problems – buy a solid ramp and train them to use it while they’re still healthy. That way, you can help your dog remain pain-free as long as possible.

What Dogs Are Most at Risk for IVDD?

Note: IVDD usually affects these dogs when they are 8-10 years old. Obese dogs of predisposed breeds are especially likely to suffer from IVDD.

Here, we’ll cover the difference between dog ramps and stairs as well as what you need to know when choosing the best model for your pooch. Then we’ll make our recommendations for the best bed ramps for dogs.

Products	Why it’s great
Doggo Ramps Bed Ramp for Small Dogs	This high-end ramp sports height adjustments up to 37” and an anchoring rope for extra stability. It’s expensive but high-quality.
Chasing Tails Dog Ramp	With a low weight and six height adjustments, this ramp can easily move from the bed to the couch and back.
SASRL Adjustable Pet Ramp	Although this ramp is sized for small dogs, it nevertheless has a high weight limit. It also folds up for easy storage.
PetSafe CozyUp Bed Ramp	This extra-long ramp doesn’t fold or adjust, but its elegant appearance lets it blend in with any bedroom furniture.
DoggoRamps Bed Ramp for Large Dogs	Again, DoggoRamps produces a pricey but well-made ramp, this one for dogs up to 120 pounds. The wide platform and removable rails make it extra-safe.
Pet Gear Free Standing Extra Wide Pet Ramp	This lightweight plastic ramp is great for indoor or outdoor use, should you also want to help your dog get into your car or truck.
PetSafe CozyUp Folding Pet Steps	An inexpensive, lightweight option, these stairs can fold and travel with you, though they’re best for small dogs.
Topmart 4 Tiers Foam Dog Ramp	Made of a unique dense foam, these sloped steps combine the best functions of ramps and stairs to protect your dog’s back and joints.
Arf Pets Wood Dog Stairs	These are one of the few sets of pet stairs with adjustable height, allowing you to perfectly match the height of your mattress.
MEWANG Wood Pet Stairs/Ramp	With non-slip risers that can fold down to the frame, this unique convertible product can serve as stairs or a somewhat steep ramp.

How to Choose The Best Dog Ramp for Beds and Couches

When it comes to choosing stairs or a dog ramp for a tall bed, the most important factors are height and sturdiness. Simply put, you want a ramp or set of stairs that can both hold your dog’s weight and allow them to step on the surface of your bed without needing to stretch or jump. First, measure the distance from the floor to the top surface of your mattress. You’ll need a ramp that’s at least within a few inches of this measurement. Additionally, ensure that the ramp can support your dog’s weight. If there are multiple dogs in your home that will use this ramp, make sure it can support their combined weight.

Here are some other factors and questions to consider when choosing ramps or bed stairs for dogs:

• Portability: Do I want something permanently anchored to the bed or something that I can move to the couch or the car? Does it matter how heavy the ramp is?
• Length and width: Will my dog have enough space once they’re on the stairs? Will the ramp fit in the desired area near the bed?
• Steepness:  Will my dog be able to walk up the ramp or stairs easily and without pain?
• Collapsibility:  Do I want something that can fold up for transportation or storage?
• Safety: Will my dog need side rails?
• Appearance: Do I want something that blends in with my other furniture?
• Surface: Does my dog need extra grip on the platform of the ramp?
• Adjustability: Do I want something that I can set to multiple heights?
• Budget: Can I afford something less expensive and possibly flimsier or more expensive and possibly sturdier?

Dog Ramps vs. Stairs

In general, experts tend to find that dog steps for a bed are better than nothing, but ramps are a better alternative, particularly if you’re concerned for your dog’s back or joints. Here’s their reasoning and a comparison of ramps vs. stairs.

Stairs for Dogs to Get on a Bed

Stairs cut down the distance your dog needs to lift themselves to get on your bed. Instead of one large leap, they only need to make several smaller steps. Depending on the size and health of the dog, however, they may still need to expend a significant amount of effort on each step. The motion of climbing steps is different from walking, and smaller dogs especially may struggle with stairs. Additionally, while your dog may go up the stairs slowly, if they want to get off the bed quickly, they may jump from the bed or top step. This doesn’t solve the problem of reducing the impact on your dog’s spine or joints.

On the plus side, stairs usually take up less floor space. They must be set up perpendicularly to the bed or couch. However, the steps for dogs to get up on a bed are almost always static. That means they can’t adjust to different heights. If you swap out your mattress or want to move the stairs to the couch, they may no longer be the correct height.

Ramp for Dogs to Get on a Bed

Ramps spread the same amount of climbing distance over a larger surface area. That means ramps take up more floor space, but they also lower the angle and lessen the impact of the climb. Additionally, you can set a ramp parallel to the bed instead of perpendicular, saving on floor space. Most ramps can fold, allowing you to easily store them under the bed or slip them in your car to take them with you. Many are adjustable, meaning they can fit whatever bed or couch height you need.

More importantly, however, ramps are easier on your dog’s back and joints. A dog can move up and down a ramp with a normal walking gait and without jumping, making it an almost zero-impact activity. Additionally, your dog can run down a ramp quickly, meaning they will be less tempted to take a leap off the bed or top of the ramp to get down faster. From a safety perspective, ramps are the better choice.

Top 10 Best Dog Ramps and Stairs for Beds and Couches

Your first concern when looking for the best dog ramps for a bed is the size of your dog. Different ramps and stairs will have different weight limits, and obviously, the larger the dog, the sturdier the ramp will need to be.

Best Pet Ramps for Small Dogs

Here are our picks for ramps for small dogs – that is, dogs 40 pounds and under.

1. DoggoRamps Bed Ramp for Small Dogs

When it comes to indoor pet ramps for small dogs, the DoggoRamps brand has some of the best. These ramps are made of solid hardwood and come in five different natural colors to match the décor of your home. With a lengthy platform and seven different height adjustments, this is a larger ramp, but it ensures your dog’s safety and comforts no matter the height of your bed. The safety rails are removable and reversible, so you can set the ramp up parallel to your bed with either side facing out.

This is undoubtedly a more expensive option, but the sturdy construction and included anchoring rope make this a safe choice. Of course, use of the bed anchor means this isn’t a portable ramp, but if you need to take it down and store it, it can fold down to only 3” high. The surface of the ramp is covered with a proprietary anti-slip coating called Pawgrip that is supposedly better than carpet. Finally, this adjustable dog ramp comes fully assembled and is easy to install without tools, and it’s made in the USA.

Weight limit	40 pounds
Platform width	14” total, 12” walkable space
Platform length	64”
Height range	12” to 37”
Product weight	23 pounds
Safety rails?	Yes (removable)
Foldable/collapsible?	Yes

Pros

• Attractive and blends in easily with furniture
• Sturdy design
• Wide height range

Cons

• Expensive

2. Chasing Tails Dog Ramp for Bed

This small dog ramp for a bed weighs only 16 pounds and takes up far less floor space than many similar models. It has six different height positions for maximum adjustability and requires no anchoring, so it can easily move from bed to couch. It comes fully assembled and folds for easy storage. The safety rails can be installed on either side of the ramp, giving you more options in terms of placing it near your bed.

Be aware that the maximum height for this ramp is 20”, which means it shouldn’t be used for mattress surfaces higher than 24”. Its short length also means that its angle is steeper, which may make it a little harder to climb up. The non-slip coating on the ramp seems to work for most dogs, but a few customers reported that their dogs sometimes slipped. However, most reported that this is a well-built, safe doggie ramp for a bed.

Weight limit	70 pounds
Platform width	15” total
Platform length	38.6”
Height range	10” to 20”
Product weight	16 pounds
Safety rails?	Yes (adjustable)
Foldable/collapsible?	Yes

Pros

• Lightweight
• Takes up less floor space

Cons

• May be too short for some beds

3. SASRL Adjustable Pet Ramp for All Dogs

Although this ramp has a high weight limit, we recommend it for smaller dogs because of its short length. It’s an inexpensive option that comes in one color – natural wood with a black scratch-resistant, non-slip paw traction mat. It has only four height adjustments, but they go up to 24” tall. This ramp is also lightweight and highly portable, so you can bring it anywhere in the house that you need it. You can also fold it up for easy storage.

This ramp has excellent reviews, though some customer comments mention that the seller offers Amazon gift cards to buyers who leave five-star reviews, making the legitimacy of these reviews unclear. Additionally, there is nothing on the bottom of the ramp frame to allow it to grip the floor, which might be an issue on slick surfaces like hardwood. Despite these drawbacks, this is still an inexpensive, highly portable option.

Weight limit	200 pounds
Platform width	Not provided
Platform length	40”
Height range	9” to 24”
Product weight	Approx. 10 pounds
Safety rails?	No
Foldable/collapsible?	Yes

Pros

• Portable for use with beds, couches, and cars
• Reasonably inexpensive

Cons

• Customer reviews may be biased

Best Pet Ramps for Large Dogs

If your dog weighs more than about 40 pounds, you need a large dog ramp for your bed. All of the following options will offer support and space to help your dog come snuggle with you.

4. PetSafe CozyUp Bed Ramp for Dogs

Even a large dog ramp doesn’t need to be an eyesore. This extra-long ramp supports dogs of up to 120 pounds, meaning it’s good for nearly any breed. You can choose between white and cherry wood, and the simple, elegant design will go with nearly any décor. There’s even a landing platform at the top to give your dog extra stability.

It’s a good thing this ramp looks good because it will be difficult to store. It doesn’t fold up, nor is the height-adjustable. Those factors make it extra-sturdy, but unless the 25” height is right for your bed, you may need a different ramp. Additionally, while it’s covered with heavy-duty carpet for better traction, many users report that their dogs still slip while going up or down.

Weight limit	120 pounds
Platform width	16”
Platform length	70”
Height range	25”
Product weight	22 pounds
Safety rails?	No
Foldable/collapsible?	No

Pros

• Attractive to look at
• Top landing platform

Cons

• The surface has poor traction

5. DoggoRamps – Bed Ramp for Large Dogs

Once again, DoggoRamps makes a top-notch dog ramp for a high bed, even if your dog is large. This model supports up to 200 pounds and offers five adjustment heights from 20” to 35”. It also has the largest width of any product on our list at 19”, good for even the stoutest bulldog. As with the model for small dogs, it has removable, reversible safety rails, and is available in five natural wood colors. The underside of the framework also features rubber stoppers to keep it from sliding on the floor.

Once again, though, this is an expensive ramp and has the highest price on our list. Additionally, this ramp is heavy at nearly 50 pounds. Although it does fold away, meaning you can easily slip it under the bed, it’s going to be difficult to carry from one place to another. However, customer reviews routinely mention that it’s a good value for the money you’ll spend, so if your budget can accommodate it, this is an excellent, heavy-duty ramp.

Weight limit	200 pounds
Platform width	21” total, 19” walkable
Platform length	64”
Height range	20” to 35”
Product weight	46 pounds
Safety rails?	Yes (removable)
Foldable/collapsible?	Yes

Pros

• Wide walkable platform
• Sturdy design

Cons

• Expensive

6. Pet Gear Free-Standing Extra Wide Pet Ramp

Perhaps surprisingly, this large dog ramp is also the least expensive on our list. That’s because, unlike the others, this one is made from plastic instead of wood, aluminum, or composite materials. That also means it’s lightweight and highly portable, and it can also be used outdoors. If you want a ramp that your dog can use to get in the car as well as into bed, this is the one for you. It’s even collapsible for storage and travel.

The trade-off is that it’s not adjustable. You get exactly 23” of height with no safety rails. Although the surface is coated in a non-slip material, customers report that this coating feels like sandpaper and is easily scratched off by sharp dog nails. Some models are available with a softer non-slip material called Supertrax, but they’re more expensive. However, if you just need a basic, portable, budget-friendly ramp, this is it.

Weight limit	200 pounds
Platform width	16”
Platform length	56”
Height range	23”
Product weight	17 pounds
Safety rails?	No
Foldable/collapsible?	Yes

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Indoor or outdoor use

Cons

• Height isn’t adjustable

Best Pet Steps for Dogs

Although ramps are safer, particularly for senior pooches or dogs with health problems, stairs are also an option. If space around your bed is limited, dog stairs for a bed may fit better in your room. They’re also typically a bit cheaper. Here are our recommendations for the best stairs for dogs to the bed.

7. PetSafe CozyUp Folding Pet Steps

If you like to bring your dog with you wherever you go and need a set of steps to come with you, this is an ideal model. This dog ladder for a bed is made of lightweight plastic, and the legs fold up for better portability and storage. Despite this, these stairs can still support dogs up to 150 pounds, making them highly versatile. They’re great for small spaces, taking up very little floor space.

Of course, the trade-off for the small size is that they’re somewhat steep and may be difficult to traverse for dogs with back or joint problems. And despite the large weight limit, they’re sized for small dogs. However, the plastic construction means the stairs are easily cleaned, and the non-skid feet on the underside mean they won’t slide on smooth floors.

Weight limit	150 pounds
Dimensions	24” L x 16” W x 19.5” H
Step height	4.7” x 4 steps
Product weight	5 pounds
Material	Plastic
Foldable/collapsible?	Yes

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Lightweight and portable

Cons

• May be too small for some dogs

8. Topmart 4 Tiers Foam Dog Steps

The unique design of this model is somewhere between a ramp and stairs. Each step is lightly sloped and curved, making for a wave-like appearance that’s gentler on the joints than simple stairs. It’s also made of a dense foam that provides more cushion than wood or plastic steps. This means it’s best for dogs under 60 pounds, as heavier dogs can compress the foam too much for the steps to be usable.

This model is good for beds 20.5” tall, though there are other Topmart models with two or three steps that are 11.8” high and 15.7” high, respectively. The corduroy cover is washable, though because the bulk of the stairs are foam, they may absorb liquids that aren’t easy to clean. Additionally, these units are shipped in a compressed state, so they need to be left out of the package for 24-48 hours before they’ll take their full shape. However, customers are generally pleased with the product after it’s been out of the package for a few days, though some report some wobbling when their dogs used it.

Weight limit	60 pounds
Dimensions	28.5” L x 15.7” W x 20.5” H
Step height	5” x 4
Product weight	5 pounds
Material	High-density foam
Foldable/collapsible?	No

Pros

• Easier on joints than regular stairs
• Washable slipcover

Cons

• Less stable

9. Arf Pets Wood Dog Stairs

If you’re looking for stairs for dogs for high beds, these stairs can accommodate a height of up to 25.5”. Unlike most stairs, though, these are adjustable by height, so you can move them between couches, beds, and more. Their sturdy wood design can support up to 100 pounds of weight, and the adjustable legs can fold away for storage, though the profile of the stairs doesn’t fold as flat as ramps do.

These are definitely pet stairs for large dogs, as the 6.5”-high steps may be a bit too tall for the smallest dogs. However, the steps are also a bit shallow for larger dogs. Additionally, this unit is only available in white with dark gray carpet, and some users report the carpet on the steps is a bit thin. However, most customers find that these stairs are sturdy and well-made.

Weight limit	100 pounds
Dimensions	39” L x 17” W x 21.5-25.5” H
Step height	6.5” x 4
Product weight	21 pounds
Material	Wood
Foldable/collapsible?	Yes

Pros

• Adjustable height
• Collapsible

Cons

• Tall, shallow steps

10. MEWANG Wood Pet Stairs and Ramp Combined

Finally, here’s a product that can serve as a ramp or dog stairs for large dogs. While these are primarily designed to be stairs, the risers can fold down to create a carpeted ramp. However, the ramp is fairly steep, so it’s best for use by large dogs. However, these are excellent dog steps for a high bed, since they’re 25.6” tall. The stairs are also nice and wide, great for large, nervous dogs, but they can fold down to only 3” high.

Since these stairs can convert into a ramp, albeit a steep one, they’re longer and take up more floor space than other sets of stairs. Some customers also had problems getting the back of the stairs flushes against the foot of the bed. However, the stairs get high marks from customers for sturdiness and durability.

Weight limit	110 pounds
Dimensions	30.9″ L x 18.5″ W x 25.6″ H
Step height	6” x 4
Product weight	20 pounds
Material	Wood
Foldable/collapsible?	Yes

Pros

• Convertible into stairs or ramp
• Good for small or large dogs

Cons

• Takes up more floor space

Final Thoughts

If you’ve got the floor space, a ramp is the safest, easiest way to help your dog join you on your bed. However, pet stairs are also better for your dog’s spine and other joints than simply hopping onto or off of a bed. Look for a ramp or stairs that are wide and sturdy enough for your dog while also fitting into your lifestyle and your home’s décor. It may take a little time to train your dog to use it, but it’s worth the effort to keep your pooch healthy and pain-free.