Dog stairs can help assist your dog getting up and down from a chair, a couch, or your bed. The stairs can provide your dog with the confidence they need to get onto furniture they would otherwise not be able to get to or down from.
I remember one night there was a thunderstorm and I was woken up in the middle of the night by my scared dog. She jumped on my bed and, shaking, she stayed with me until the storm was over.
When it was time for her to jump off the bed, I felt her fear, as she started shaking again at the thought of jumping down. I felt so bad for her, but she eventually overcame her fear and jumped. She definitely would have benefited from having some dog stairs of her own.
Who Should Use Dog Stairs?
Dog stairs can be used for a variety of reasons:
- Small Dog. If you have a puppy, a small dog, or even a dog with short legs, dog stairs can help your dog reach high chairs, couches, and beds.
- Medical Conditions. Dogs with hip issues may not be able to jump onto a couch or bed and dog stairs can help make it more comfortable for them to get to their favorite spot.
- Surgery. After surgery, some dogs may be restricted in their activities and it might be recommended they use dog stairs or a ramp to get up onto the couch or bed.
How High Should Pet Steps Be?
This really depends on what your dog needs help getting onto. The height your dog needs to get up onto a chair will be different than the height they need to get onto a bed.
When choosing the right stairs for your dog, look at the height of the dog stairs you want to buy and measure it against where you want the stairs to go to see if it will be a good fit.
What Should I Look For When Choosing Dog Stairs?
- Height. As noted above, check the measurements of the stairs you are interested in to make sure it is correct for the area you want to put them. Generally the greater the height, the more steps there are.
- Material. Dog stairs can be made of wood, plastic, and foam. Choose the material that will be sturdy yet comfortable for your dog’s height and weight and their needs.
- Non-slip surface. The covering on the stairs should be non-slip, providing your dog with a good grip when navigating both up and down.
- Easy To Clean. The surface of the dog stairs should be easy to clean. Some stairs come with removable pieces or covers that can be machine washed.
- Depth. The depth of the steps is the area your dog will be putting their paws on. Make sure it is the right size for your dog.
- Stair Height. Check the height between stairs and make sure it is not too high for your dog. High steps may be too steep for your dog to go down comfortably.
Are Foam Stairs Good For Dogs?
This depends on your dog and why you are buying the stairs. Foam stairs are cushy and when your dog steps on them, their paws may sink into the steps. Foam steps are also not as sturdy as other types of stairs and may be a bit wobbly for dogs as they put their paws on the steps.
If your dog has medical issues or trouble walking or even if they are a little skittish about using stairs, foam dog stairs may not be what you want to use.
Are Stairs Or Ramps Better For Dogs?
Again, this depends on your dog. If your dog has any medical conditions, has issues with their hips, or had recent surgery, they may not be able to use stairs and a ramp would be a better choice.
If your dog is able to go up and down stairs in your home without any problems, they shouldn’t have any trouble using dog stairs to get onto a couch or bed.
Keep in mind that your dog may not take to the stairs right way. Some dogs may need to be trained to use them. Be patient and give your dog some time to get used to them.
Top Dog Stairs To Assist Your Dog
The following dog stairs come in a variety of sizes and materials to suit your dog’s needs.
Best Wooden Dog Stairs
Features:
- 2 steps (22 x 17 x 14 inches) or 3 steps (22 x 17 x 20 inches).
- Steps are 7 inches deep and 6.3 inches high.
- Good for dogs up to 150 lbs.
- Rubber grippers on the bottom to avoid slipping.
- Hollow underneath for a small dog or cat to fit into.
Pros:
- Sturdy.
- The hollow area underneath can be used for storage.
Cons:
- The assembly instructions are not very good.
- It moves around on non carpeted floors, so you may need something non-skid to put it on to keep it in place.
- The pads on the steps are not removable, so it may be a little difficult to clean.
Best Foam Dog Stairs
Features:
- Comes in 4 patterns and 8 colors.
- Available in 3 heights: 3 steps (18 x 15 x 13.5 inches), 4 steps (24 x 15 x 18 inches), and 5 steps (30 x 16 x 22.5 inches).
- Steps are 6 inches deep and 4.5 inches high on all models.
- Mattress grade cushioning.
- Fleece fabric cover is removable and washable.
- Anti slip bottom.
- Covers sold separately through the manufacturer to change up your look.
- Made In The USA.
Pros:
- Sturdy.
- Lightweight.
Cons:
- It moves easily on non carpeted floors.
Best Dog Stairs For A Chair Or Couch
Features:
- Extra wide one step.
- Measures 22 x 20 x 10 inches.
- For dogs up to 175 lbs.
- Carpet tread on the step.
- Tread is removable and machine washable.
- There are rubber grippers on the bottom to avoid slipping.
- Assembled by snapping pieces together.
Pros:
- Sturdy.
- Easily moved from one place to another.
- Easy to assemble.
Cons:
- This moves on non carpeted floors.
Best Dog Stairs For High Beds
Furhaven Steady Paws Easy Multi-Step Pet Stairs
Features:
- Available in 3 steps (17.7 x 15.75 x 22.5 inches) and 4 steps (25.5 x 15.75 x 29.5).
- 3 steps: The first step is 8 inches high and the other 2 steps are 7.25 inches high. The first step is 7 inches deep and the second step is 7.25 inches deep. The top step is 7 inches deep.
- 4 steps: The first step is 8 inches high and the remaining 3 steps are 7.25 inches high. The first step is 8 inches deep and the remaining steps are 7.25 inches deep.
- Steps are lined with faux fur.
- Comes in 3 colors.
- The 3 step model comes with an assembly kit to convert it into 2 steps.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble.
- Sturdy.
Cons:
- It’s too steep for some dogs.
- You can see screws through the lining after it is assembled.
- The material of the lining is a little slippery.
Best Foldable Dog Stairs
Best Pet Supplies Foldable Pet Steps
Features:
- Available in 4 patterns and 8 colors.
- Comes in 3 sizes: 2 steps (16 x 12 inches), 3 steps (21 x 16 x 16.5 inches) and 4 steps (28 x 16 x 22 inches).
- The steps are 7 inches deep and 5.5 inches high on the 3 and 4 step models and 8 inches deep and 6 inches high on the 2 step model.
- Made with mattress grade cushioning.
- The stair cover is removable and washable: gentle cycle; air dry.
- For dogs up to 100 lbs.
- Top steps fold down for storage.
- Anti slip bottom.
- Covers sold separately through the manufacturer to change up the look.
- Made In The USA.
Pros:
- Easy to clean.
- No assembly required.
- Sturdy.
- Lightweight and easy to move when cleaning.
- Easy to fold for storage.
Cons:
- It slides around on non carpeted floors.
- This may be too small for large dogs.
- Not sturdy enough for some people.
- Some dog’s paws sunk in a little when they stepped on it.
- Steps were a little too narrow or too high for a few dogs.
Best Multi-Functional Dog Stairs
PetFusion Multi-Purpose Pet Stairs
Features:
- Multi-functional design: pet steps, padded top for dog to rest, steps stow away to create an ottoman, a pet basket is included to store toys inside the steps.
- For dogs up to 50 lbs.
- 4 stairs high.
- 18 x 18 x 18 inches.
- Waterproof foam liner.
- Step pads are removable and washable.
Pros:
- Sturdy.
- Dogs like to lay on the top of it.
- Easy to assemble.
- Well built.
- Heavy.
Cons:
- This is not made to support large dogs.
Best Stairs For Large Dogs
Pet Gear Easy Step II Extra Wide Pet Stairs
Features:
- 22 x 20 x 16 inches.
- Bottom step is 11.75 inches deep and top step is 12.5 inches deep.
- Each step is 6 inches high.
- Good for dogs up to 200 lbs.
- Stairs covered in carpet treading.
- Carpet treading can be removed and machine washed.
- Rubber grips on the bottom to avoid slipping.
- Stairs assembled by snapping together.
Pros:
- Sturdy.
- Lightweight and easy to move around to other areas.
Cons:
- Can be difficult to push pieces together when assembling.
- Steps are at a downward angle instead of flat.
Best Alternative For Dogs Who Can’t Use Stairs
DoggoRamps Couch Ramp For Dogs
Features:
- Available in 5 colors.
- 35 x 14 x 3 inches.
- Adjustable height: 14, 16, 18, and 21 inches.
- For dogs up to 150 lbs.
- Folds down for storage.
- Anti-slip surface.
- Landing platform at top to make it easier for your dog to go down the ramp.
- No assembly required.
- Made of solid hardwood.
- Rubber stoppers to place on the bottom to avoid slipping.
- Made In Canada.
Pros:
- It has a good grip for your dog’s paws.
- It does not slide around on the floor.
- Sturdy.
- Easy to set up.
- Can fold flat for easy storage.
Cons:
- Price.
Dog stairs can provide your dog with help getting up and down from their favorite spot on the couch, bed, or chair. They can also give your dog more confidence and help them continue with normal activities while dealing with medical conditions.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.