Dog Ramps for Entering and Exiting Cars Safely and Easily

When our dogs are small and spry, getting in and out of the car presents no problems. They bounce in and out like jumping beans. Then time starts to age joints and bones. Maybe surgeries happen, enforcing restrictions on activity. That simple act of getting into the car turns into more of a chore. Dog ramps ease the strain on your dog’s body – and yours!

Dog Mobility

Puppies have boundless energy. Even the calmest breeds go through an early phase where they enjoy spurts of activity and play. They view car trips as adventures and leap into the backseat without assistance. (Okay, clumsy puppy coordination requires a little aid) You may need to teach them where to safely enter the car, but they gain the knack without too much trouble.

Unhappily, that excitement tempers over time. Osteoarthritis moves into your dog’s joints. You notice them moving slower, especially when it comes to stairs and jumping. You can help by providing glucosamine supplements and dog beds designed with memory foam or orthopedic cushions.

But what about those favorite car trips? That once-easy hop into the backseat turns into scaling Mount Everest.

Dog ramps allow your dog to safely enter the car without adding extra strain to their legs or back. It also prevents YOU from injuring yourself.

Human Consideration

You’re doing everything you can for your dog. If your dog’s undergone surgery, they’re not supposed to undertake an unnecessary activity. Jumping – even from the ground to the car – tops that list. Orthopedic procedures are incredibly delicate. You want your dog to heal appropriately. It’s tempting to carry your dog as much as possible and baby them.

If you have a tiny dog weighing less than ten pounds, it sounds simple. Think of how far you have to bend, though. Your cute little pup doesn’t weigh a lot, but you’re going to bend constantly. You’ll work your legs, arms, and back more than the most strenuous HIIT workout. A dog ramp can lessen that work – at least for car rides.

Hopefully, you won’t consider lifting your hundred-plus pound dog into the car. Our backs and legs are NOT designed to support that kind of weight. You love your dog – no one doubts that. But you need to care for yourself just as much. Dog ramps demonstrate your devotion without risking a hernia or spinal damage.

Considerations for Dog Ramps

Dog ramps sound simple: an incline that allows your dog to walk from the ground to the car’s back seat or cargo area. You might consider making your own to save on expenses. However, you need to look at many different characteristics unique to dog ramps if you want to keep you and your dog as safe as possible.

Materials

It sounds contrary, but you need a dog ramp that’s strong and light all at once. The material needs to support your dog’s weight, but you also need to lift it – WITHOUT hurting yourself.

You also need to balance a need for a material that provides a non-slip surface for your dog that’s easy for you to clean. It’s a careful game of finding those “just right” materials that satisfy everyone’s needs.

Measurements

Not every ramp works for everyone. If a ramp’s too short, it defeats the purpose (you don’t want your dog to make a hop at the end). If your dog ramp ends up too long, you may struggle with storing it in the car. You need to know those precise lengths.

We’re not done yet, though. How wide is the dog ramp? You DON’T want your dog to slide off. Compounding an injury on top of their mobility issues won’t help. Nor will you rushing to catch them.

Finally, you need to figure out the best angle for the dog ramp. Think of you’re settings on a treadmill. The higher it goes, the harder you have to work. A slope of around 18-20 degrees is gentle enough for most dogs to navigate safely. This means you need to find the appropriate length to provide that angle and still reach your car. (Yeah – lots of math goes into buying a dog ramp)

Extras

If your dog struggles with the incline. Finding dog ramps with horizontal slats provides an extra grip during the climb. Think of them as rungs on a ladder. They work in addition to the non-slip material to reassure your dog they’re safe.

For you, make sure the dog ramp anchors with non-slip feet. You don’t want it to slide while you’re trying to get the ramp in place. It’ll also ensure everything stays anchored while your dog’s climbing the ramp. Safety’s critical with dog ramps.

Training Your Dog on a Dog Ramp

Dog ramps don’t come naturally to our canine companions. They look different from stairs, and they’re a new accessory attached to the car. You can help your dog learn to use the ramp with some careful training.

1. Place the ramp FLAT on the ground. Let your dog sniff and explore this new object. Make sure you give them a treat each time they approach it.
2. Encourage your dog to walk across the ramp. Praise them and give them a treat.
3. Repeat this several times. Use your hand signal or a chosen word to encourage them to cross the ramp each time.
4. Using a STURDY object (such as your porch stairs), raise the ramp slightly. Repeat the process. Make sure your dog’s comfortable each time. You don’t want them to jump off the side.
5. Continue raising the ramp until you can attach it to the car.

Best Dog Ramps

If you’ve experienced orthopedic surgery or even repeatedly tried jumping on and off a raised surface, you know your joints start protesting. Our dogs feel the same way. They don’t want to miss out on the adventures, though. Dog ramps allow them to continue to participate without adding stress to their joints or back. It’s the safest way for them to enter and exit the car. And it prevents YOU from straining something attempting to lift your favorite four-legged friend into the backseat.

Best Foldable Dog Ramps

When you want flexibility, foldable dog ramps provide the answer. These telescoping ramps extend to the desired length you need. You can use them for the backseat or the cargo area. They collapse down for easy storage, and they won’t strain your back during set-up or lifting. It’s the perfect answer for dogs of every size.