10 Best Dog Ramps for Older Dogs – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

It’s not easy watching your best canine companion start slowing down as they age. They might not be able to get around as quickly as they used to, and aching joints can make it hard for them to get into your car or their favorite pieces of furniture at home. You don’t want to get into the habit of hoisting them around, especially if your dog is a bigger breed.

The best thing to have in your pet gear arsenal to help your senior dog is a dog ramp. These ramps can give your pup back a sense of independence and save your back in the process.

Keep reading to find our reviews of the best dog ramps for older dogs available this year.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Dog Ramps for Older Dogs

1. PetSTEP Folding Pet Ramp – Best Overall

We found the PetSTEP Folding Pet Ramp to be the best overall dog ramp for older dogs. This ramp is made with durable plastic and fiberglass materials to provide a huge weight capacity, 500 pounds. While it’s unlikely that your dog weighs that much, the stability that this large weight capacity provides will help give your senior pup the confidence he needs to traverse the ramp without it wobbling under his weight. The ramp’s non-slip rubber grips add further stability and help to keep the ramp in place. The surface of the ramp has a soft rubber material that’s comfortable on paws and grippy for traction.

This item is lightweight, weighing in at just 18.5 pounds, so it won’t hurt your back when you’re transporting it or setting it up.

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2. TRIXIE Two-Fold Dog Car Ramp – Best Value

You don’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars for a high-quality ramp for your senior pup. The Trixie Two-Fold ramp brings you the best dog ramp for older dogs for the money. This affordable ramp is super lightweight at just 11 pounds and features a collapsible design to make it more compact for transportation and storage. The plastic material keeps the weight of the item down while also ensuring it’s simple to clean in case of accidents.

The walking surface of the ramp has a non-slip coating and protective side guards to instill confidence in your aging pup. The non-skid feet are made of rubber and provide further stability.

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3. PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping Dog Car Ramp – Premium Choice

This telescoping ramp from PetSafe takes the Premium Choice spot on our list. Don’t let its slightly higher price tag deter you from considering this ramp. It comes in two sizes, Regular and X-Large, so you can find the length that works best for your dog. The telescoping design makes the ramp compact so it’s easier to both store and transport. It is also adjustable in length so you can find the length your dog needs to climb comfortably.

It closes with a built-in safety latch, so you don’t need to worry about it accidentally extending when it’s closed.

The walking surface has a gritty high-traction material so your dog can climb without sliding down.

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4. Merry Products Collapsible Cat & Dog Ramp

Not all dog ramps will work for smaller dog breeds. This collapsible ramp from Merry Products will work best for senior dogs that are smaller in stature. It adjusts to three different height options, so you have the option of using it in places with differing heights. The steps are covered in a fabric material to provide traction and comfortability. The wooden frame adds the perfect amount of support to instill confidence in senior pups that may be using a ramp for the first time. It has rubber soles on the bottom for added traction and wheels so you can transport it easily.

The ramp will fold down flat so you can store it under your bed or in your closet without it taking up too much space.

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5. PetSafe CozyUp Wooden Cat & Dog Ramp

This attractive ramp could be the perfect solution to help your senior pup regain access to his favorite spots in your home like the bed or couch. The ramp features a sturdy wood construction for long-lasting use and a beautiful design that can complement almost any home décor. The surface has a heavy-duty carpet material on it to provide traction to your pup as he climbs up the ramp.

The ramp is 25 inches tall and 70 inches long to provide a gradual incline that most dogs shouldn’t find too difficult to traverse. It comes with all the hardware necessary to put it together and assembly should only take 15 minutes.

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6. Pet Gear Tri-Fold Dog Car Ramp with Supertrax

The Pet Gear Tri-Fold ramp is heavier than some of the other options we’re reviewing today, but it has a lot of redeeming qualities, too. The Supertrax mat on the ramp’s surface is pressure-activated which allows your pup’s paws to grip into the mat as he climbs up the ramp. The mats are removed easily for cleaning purposes.

The tri-fold design allows you to store the ramp in the back of your vehicle without it taking up too much of a footprint in your trunk. It comes with a tether that you can secure onto your vehicle’s door latch as an additional safety measure when the ramp is in use.

The ramp’s built-in handle will allow you to carry it to your vehicle easily and help take away some of the awkwardness of transporting a ramp this size.

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7. PawHut Portable Bi-Fold Folding Vehicle Pet Ramp

The PawHut bi-fold ramp is a great way to give your senior dog access to your vehicle again. It’s made with an aluminum alloy material which makes it both lightweight and durable. The high-traction walking surface has a textured material on it to provide a grippy and slip-resistant path for your dog.

The ramp folds up when it’s time to store it and has a security release lock that allows you to lock it so it won’t unfold on its own. The manufacturer has also included a carrying handle which will make transporting it simpler for you. Although it is made with a lightweight material, the large size of the ramp (96 inches) does make it weigh in on the heavier side at nearly 20 pounds.

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8. Gen7Pets Mini Indoor Foldable Dog Ramp

Sometimes you don’t need or don’t have the space for a super long ramp. This mini foldable option from Gen7 can come in handy for people looking to give their senior pup access to indoor furniture that’s not too high off the ground. This ramp is designed to reach heights as tall as 24 inches. To give your dog access to furniture higher than 24 inches, you’d need a longer ramp.

This ramp will fold down to 21 inches for easy storing under beds or couches. It has a soft rubber grip to make carrying it from room to room a breeze. It has a soft carpet lining to provide a comfortable surface for your aging pup’s paw pads.

Though this ramp is rated for small to giant breeds, we don’t think bigger breeds will find it easy to use.

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9. Frisco Deluxe Wooden Carpeted Cat & Dog Ramp

This ramp features a reinforced solid wood frame to provide a high level of stability and sturdiness so your senior dog can feel safe and secure. The ramp is 72 inches in length which provides a gradual and gentle climbing angle. The walking surface is covered in a carpeted material for traction and also has ribbing for additional sturdiness. This ramp is available in two different color options so you can pick the one that matches your home décor best.

Since the ramp is made of wood and requires assembly, it does not fold down for storage.

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10. PetSafe Happy Ride Half Ramp

This ramp is super lightweight in design and weighs in at just 7 pounds. The ramp has several safety features to help your senior pup climb with confidence. It has raised rails on the side so he won’t slide off of the side of the ramp as well as rubber feet at the bottom to ensure the ramp stays stable as your dog is on it. The surface is covered with a high-traction material to help your pup’s paws grip as he climbs.

The manufacturer recommends their ramp only be used by breeds under 20 inches tall, though the weight capacity will support up to 200 pounds.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Ramp for Older Dogs

There are several factors you should consider as you’re shopping for the best ramp for your senior dog.

Size

Ramps come in all different lengths, widths, and weight capacities. The size of the ramp will ultimately determine how you can use it. The ramp you end up purchasing needs to work for the place your dog needs help accessing.

For example, a short ramp will have far too steep of a slope if you want to use it for your vehicle. A shorter ramp can work great for accessing a sofa or low bed, though.

You should also consider the width of the ramp. Larger dogs will need ramps that have a wider walking surface to feel safe while they’re climbing. Measure the broadest part of your dog’s shoulder and hips. The ramp you choose should be wider than that measurement.

Lastly, the weight capacity of the ramp needs to be able to support your pup. Most of the ramps on our list have weight capacities above 100 pounds, but not all of them. Be sure to check out how much weight your ramp can support to prevent accidents while your dog is using it.

Incline

The incline is ultimately decided by the length of the ramp. The steeper the incline, the more difficult and dangerous it will be for your dog to use it.

To determine if the incline is safe for your dog, measure the height of what you want your dog to be able to climb into. A good general rule of thumb is to stick to inclines between 18 and 25 degrees. Smaller breeds will need an angle of around 18 to 20 degrees, while larger dogs can handle 22 to 25 degrees.

This ramp calculator can help you determine the angle of your ramp. Input the length of your ramp in the “Ramp Length” box, and the height of what your dog needs to climb into (e.g., the bed, the car) goes into the Load Height box. For example, if the back of your car is 24 inches from the ground and you’re looking at a ramp length of 75 inches, the angle of degrees will be 18.66.

Grip

Your dog will be unlikely to use their ramp if they are unable to climb it. Not only will it be physically impossible for them to traverse, but if they’re slipping and sliding as they’re going up or down, they could become fearful of the ramp or even hurt themselves.

There are several different grip styles in the ramps we’ve featured above. Some have carpet, others have a grippy sandpaper-like texture, while others have grooves your dog can use to get a sure footing.

Use

The final thing you should consider is what you need your ramp for. Are you looking to help your dog in and out of your vehicle, or does he need help to get into your bed at night?

Not all of the ramps are suited for both situations. Some need to be assembled and are designed to stay assembled. This style will not work as well for use in your vehicle. These ramps work best in bedrooms and living rooms where they will essentially become a part of your home décor.

Telescoping ramps or those that fold up into a convenient carrying size work best for outdoor applications like getting into your vehicle. These ramps can be stored right in the trunk and can be put together and taken down easily.

How Can I Teach My Dog to Use a Ramp?

Ramp training your senior pup can be a bit of a challenge. Ramps might be something that they’re not used to and can be quite intimidating.

The good news is that with a bit of patience, your dog can be trained to use his new ramp. Here are some tips on getting your pup used to using a ramp.

Introduce the Ramp Slowly

Don’t bring the ramp into your home and put your dog onto it right away. Instead, put it somewhere they’re already comfortable, like your living room. Put it flat on the floor and leave it there. When your dog notices the ramp, use positive and encouraging words like “good dog” to signal to your dog that the ramp isn’t anything to be afraid of.

Use Treats

You can start creating a positive association with the ramp by putting treats onto it while it’s still lying flat in your living room. The goal here is for your dog to start associating the ramp with things they like, like their treats.

Encourage Further Exploration

The dog is already starting to feel comfortable being closer to the ramp if they are eating treats off of it. The next step is to only offer treats when they begin exploring the ramp with their feet. Acknowledge aloud that they’re being a good dog when they step on the ramp, and then when they have all four paws on, offer several treats and a lot of praise.

If they’re still hesitant to put all paws up at once, praise them every time they put one paw on. Give them a treat, but save the big jackpot of treats until they’re courageous enough to get all four paws on it.

Start to Walk the Dog Across It

Now that they can put all four paws on the ramp, it’s time to start practicing walking across it. Put a few treats in your hands and lure the dog across the ramp. Reward them with their treat once they have walked all the way across.

Remove the Treat

While rewarding with treats is a great way to encourage a new behavior, you don’t want to have to bribe them with food every time they walk on the ramp. You can do this by pretending to have a treat in your hand and luring them down the length of the ramp again. Once they have successfully traversed the ramp, praise them with a “yes” or “good dog” and then give them a treat you’ve had hidden in your other hand.

Start Adding an Incline

You don’t want to start immediately with a full incline right after they’ve gotten comfortable walking across the ramp while it’s flat. Start increasing the incline very gradually. If you up the incline too much too soon, you can scare your dog, which will discourage them from trying to use it in the future.

Try adding a few books underneath one end of the ramp to start. Once they have mastered that incline, up the ante a bit by raising it a little more. You may need to continue using your verbal cues and your hand gestures to guide him across.

Continue adding more incline until you’ve reached the desired angle. This may take some time, remember, so patience is key.

Conclusion

When it comes to your senior dog’s mobility, you want the best ramp out there. All ten reviews above showcase fantastic options, but there are three that are a step above the rest.

The PetSTEP Folding ramp is the Best Overall ramp for senior pups as its durability and stability provide the confidence your dog needs. The Trixie ramp provides the Best Value as its affordable price tag is paired with a high-quality lightweight design. Finally, the PetSafe Happy Ride is our top Premium Choice due to its slightly higher price but adjustable and easy-to-use telescoping design.

• See Also: Alpha Paw PawRamp Dog Ramp Review 2024: Pros, Cons & Verdict

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Featured Image Credit: Chewy