You need to buy either dog ramps, dog stairs, or dog steps, so you head to the market but are not certain which of them will be a good choice for your home, as well as your dog. If this best describes your condition, you must realize that you are not facing this challenge alone. There are lots of dog owners that are currently going through the same situation. Lots of dog owners are not sure how dog ramps, dog stairs, and dog steps differ and which will provide the most benefits.
This article will help you know what your dog stands to gain from using dog ramps, dog stairs, or dog steps. It will also help you make the right choice.
How Do Dog Ramps, Stairs, or Steps Benefit Dogs
Before going ahead to buy either dog ramps, dog stairs, or dog steps, you must know how your dog can benefit from using any of them. These devices can come in handy for the following set of dogs;
- Puppies or small breeds that are unable to get into cars on their own and will need some help
- To help dogs carry out strenuous activities without their hips or joints being stressed
- They help dogs with hips and joints issues
- They are great for arthritic and /or senior dogs that need help.
So long issues of painful joints in dogs are concerned, dog ramps, stairs, or steps can never be overrated. According to lots of research, the anatomy of dogs is not one that was designed for climbing steep steps and jumping. Due to this, when they take part in these activities continuously, their joints go through a great degree of stress.
That’s not all. Some extra studies also revealed that taking part in jumps and climbs increases a dog’s chances of being affected by arthritis. When a dog is very active and takes parts in activities that involve jumping off elevated surfaces, its chances of experiencing pain in its joints, as well as issues with agility increase. Furthermore, it could be affected by arthritis as it gets older.
While dogs will obviously benefit from the use of dog ramps, stairs, and steps, dog owners can also benefit from the use of these devices. Those that benefit from these devices the most are people that own medium-sized dogs, as well as those that own SUVs. If your dog is unable to get into the vehicle, it is your duty to help him get in. If you do this regularly and for a long time, it is only a matter of time before you begin feeling stressed in your joints and back.
Which is Most Suitable for Your Dog among Dog Ramps, Stairs, and Steps
In very much the same way as pets differ, situations also differ. Due to this, you cannot always pick dog ramps over dog stairs or steps. You will always need to make a choice after considering the type of dog, as well as the situation. There are lots of alternatives to make a choice from when looking to buy a dog ramp, dog stairs, or dog steps. Due to this, you will need to know the factors you must consider before going ahead to make a decision.
What You Must Know About Dog Steps and Stairs before Making a Decision
When a dog is used to climbing stair meant for humans, the best alternative for such dog is dog stairs. However, if your dog has no idea of what stairs are, you will need to spend some time in teaching your dog how stairs are used. If you do not have this time on your hand, you can decide to get a dog ramp.
A lot of people wonder what exactly the difference between dog stairs and dog steps is. In the simplest sense, dog stairs do not differ from dog steps. More often than not, they are used interchangeably.
Pet stairs come in different designs. Some are designed to be very mobile but not so sturdy. Dog stairs that are designed to be mobile usually look like ladders
Selecting the Right Dog Stair/ steps Type
It is one thing to be able to make a choice between dog stairs, dog ramps, and dog steps and another to choose the right type of dog stairs.
There are various heights and sizes of dog stairs. These different heights and size of dog stars were designed for various dog breeds.
Before going ahead to pay for dog stairs, you must know what size of dog stairs is ideal for your dog. If you do not know this, you will make things a lot difficult for your dog when it tries to climb the stairs you bought for it.
You will need to spend quality time in carrying out research. This way, you can get the right measurement of pet stairs that is ideal for your pet. To get the right measurement, take out time to measure your dog. This should be followed by measuring other objects that your dog will need stairs to assess. These include the height of your vehicle, chairs, etc.
When measuring your dog, some things you have to give a great degree of attention are the bottom grip of the item, the material used in making the dog stairs, the width of the steps, and the height of the dog steps and the depth of the steps.
All things being equal, regular outdoor and indoor pet stairs measure 6.5 to 7.5 inches individually. You, therefore, should make your dog stairs of the same height.
The depth of each step must be given a lot of attention. This is because dogs are more comfortable when the steps are roomy and deep. This way, climbing and maneuvering are a lot easy. For very easy usage, always go for dogs’ stairs with each step being about 10-12 inches in depth.
Material is important. Dogs have different weights. Due to this, the material that works for one dog might not be good enough for another. If your dog is small, foam stairs will be ideal. However, if your dog is heavy, you will need to get stairs made from sturdy materials.
