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As much as possible, we want to take our favorite canine in the world wherever we go. Thankfully, numerous pet products are out in the market making traveling with our pooch a lot more manageable. One of which are ramps dogs can use for joyrides.
Dogs come in different sizes and can have different needs. If we have a pooch that is pregnant, a senior, a puppy or has mobility issues, then we need to invest in a dog ramp he can use when going in and out of the vehicle. But with all the dog ramps out there, which one suits our pooch the most?
Not all dog ramps are the same. Some were made with comfort and portability in mind while others are more stable and can support heavier weight. If we want the right ramp for our pooch, then we can choose one from the best ramps in the market.
Best Dog Ramps for SUV’s and Cars
Here are our top picks!
- Best Overall: PetSafe Happy Ride Folding Pet Ramp
- Best Budget: Pet Gear Travel Lite Bi-Fold Ramp
- Best for Small, Lighter Dogs: Pet Gear Tri-Fold Ramp
- Best for Medium to Large Dogs: Gen7Pets Natural Step Dog Ramp
- Best for Larger, Heavier Dogs: PetSTEP Original Folding Pet Ramp
- Best Free-Standing Ramp: Pet Gear SupertraX Free Standing Ramp
Best Overall: PetSafe Happy Ride Folding Pet Ramp
Key Features:
- Bi-fold design
- Up to 24-inches high
- Can support up to 150lbs
- High-traction surface
- 62 x 16 x 4 inches
- Weighs 10lbs
We want a pet ramp that is lightweight, portable, and durable. With the PetSafe Happy Ride Folding Pet Ramp, we no longer have to worry about our pooch getting in and out of our car during joy rides. This strong ramp is so easy to set up and can even support dogs up to 150 pounds.
This ramp is that our pooch won’t slip when using it. Its safety latch secures the ramp in place and the high-traction surface and side rails ensures our pooch is safe and secure. We just wish the ramp had an added carpet instead of and paper for it to have more traction.
Best Budget: Pet Gear Travel Lite Bi-Fold Ramp
Key Features:
- Soft tread
- Rubber grippers on the bottom
- Can support up to 200 lbs
- 42″H x 16″W x 4″H
- Weighs 10 lbs
- Comes in 5 colors/style
This bi-fold ramp is surprisingly lightweight considering it can hold up to 200 lbs of weight. It comes with a handle, allowing easier storage. It also has an Astro-turf surface, offering excellent grip for our pooch.
There are numerous models/styles available. We just wish the ramp itself is wider. It would be nice this can also fit high-profile vehicles.
Best for Small, Lighter Dogs: Pet Gear Tri-Fold Ramp
Key Features:
- High-visibility reflective material
- Side safety reflectors
- Slip-resistant surface
- Rubber grippers on the bottom
- Comes in 2 colors/variation
- 71″L x 19.5″W x 4″H
- Can accommodate up to 200lbs
- Weighs 25.04 lbs
The Pet Gear Tri-Fold Ramp allows our pooch to easily gain access to our car. It features a highly visible reflective material on the surface and side reflector, allowing easy visibility even at night. The ramp itself safely secures to our car while its tri-fold design allows us to easily fold the ramp as needed.
The ramp can reach up to 32-inches, can support dogs up to 200lbs and is fairly easy to clean. The downside? The ramp is heavier and slightly more expensive compared to other ramps in the market.
Best for Medium to Large Dogs: Gen7Pets Natural Step Dog Ramp
Key Features:
- Bi-fold design
- Can reach up to 32inches high
- With safety strap
- Can support up to 250 lbs
- 72″L x 16″W x 1.5″H
- Weighs 17 lbs
The Gen7Pets Natural Step Dog Ramp is a solid ramp that can support dogs up to 250 lbs.it has a unique safety strap feature that helps keep the ramp in place. It is sturdy enough and offers good traction for dogs.
It is quite easy to put away but is fairly heavy. Since the ramp is long, it does not come unfolded.
Best for Larger, Heavier Dogs: PetSTEP Original Folding Pet Ramp
Key Features:
- Soft non-slip rubberized surface
- Bi-fold design
- Non-slip grip
- Ergonomic handles
- Composite plastic construction
- Can support up to 500lbs
- Rust-resistant
- Comes in 2 colors
- 70″L x 17″W x 2.5″H
- Weighs 18.5 lbs
The PetSTEP Original Folding Pet Ramp is one of the strongest ramps in the market. It has a bifold design that can reach up to 32inches high and can support up to 500 lbs. It is very easy to clean, making maintenance a breeze.
The non-slip material works like magic as our pooch won’t slip even if the ramp is wet. We just wish the ram is not that expensive, heavy and hard to maneuver.
Best Free-Standing Ramp: Pet Gear SupertraX Free Standing Ramp
Key Features:
- Soft tread
- Free-standing ramp
- Raised edges
- Removable mat
- Can support up to 200lbs
- 56 x 16 x 23 inches
- Weighs 17lbs
- Comes in 2 colors and 2 styles
Pet Gear SupertraX Free Standing Ramp has a great surface area, offering better grip to our favorite pooch. Since it offers greater stability, we can enjoy that peace of mind knowing every penny is well-spent.
It is a free-standing, compact ramp, meaning we don’t need to rest the ramp against our car. When folded, it comes in a compact size, allowing easy portability and storage. We just wish the ramp is not that steep and has some grip on both sides to avoid slipping.
Why Should You Buy a Dog Ramp for SUV’s and Cars?
There are numerous reasons why our pooch requires a dog ramp. For one, he might have trouble getting in and out of our vehicle due to his height, weight, or current condition. The last thing we want is for our pooch to get injured after jumping from the car.
Dog ramps also help eradicate the need for us to carry our dogs to and from the car. He might be too heavy for us to carry. Maybe he is already in pain and allowing him to walk up the car in an ideal angle might be the best way to transport our pooch.
Large dogs that weigh more than 50 pounds are also prone to joint issues. Smaller dogs, on the other hand, can get injured after constant jumping from tall places. To avoid our favorite pooch from getting hurt, it pays to invest in a high-quality dog ramp to offer better support.
Ramps vs Stairs: Which One is Better?
Dogs can either use ramps or stairs when getting in and out of our vehicle. But then, not all dogs prefer stairs. If our pooch can navigate regular stairs, then we can consider buying him steps for dogs.
The problem with stairs is that these are usually not suitable to smaller dogs. Heavier dogs that have mobility issues will also find it tricky to safely go up and down the steps. If one has a current condition and it makes it easier to use ramps, then we need to find a stable ramp that can accommodate his weight.
When choosing a ramp, we need to consider the type of ramp, the materials used, the special requirements of our pooch and of course, our budget.
Types of Dog Ramps for Cars and SUVs
There are three types of dog ramps available for dogs. Some are only meant for in door use while others are for vehicles. Knowing types of dog ramps available in the market will make it easier for us to find the right ramp for our pooch.
Foldable Ramps
If we are after a ramp that we can easily fold, store and take with us in our car, then it pays to invest in a foldable ramp. These are made to be portable and lightweight, making it effortless to carry and store. Some models can be folded down two or three times.
Foldable ramps are most pet owner’s favorite type of ramps. This is since these are easy to fold and store as needed.
Fixed Ramps
As the name suggests, fixed ramps only come in one piece. These are usually stable, durable and permanently fixed, which means our pooch can only use this at home. These are usually meant for easy access to the bed or couch.
Telescopic Ramps
If we want a portable dog ramp that makes for easy storage and transport, then we can consider a telescopic ramp. These have sliding panels that slide over one another for easier storage.
Things to Consider When Buying a Dog Ramp for SUVs
When searching for the right dog ramp for SUVs, we need to consider the following.
Measurements
There is a need to measure the access point of our vehicle and a comfortable angle that our pooch can handle. This way, we can be sure that our pooch can safely and comfortably use the ramp. We also need to look for a ramp that is wide enough to accommodate our pooch.
Safety
Our dog’s safety matters when looking for a dog ramp. The ramp needs to be strong, durable and non-slip enough. It also pays to find a dog ramp that has side rails to ensure our pooch won’t fall off the sides.
Gripping Surface
One important safety feature every high-quality dog ramp has is a gripping surface. If the surface of the ramp is slippery, this will make it hard for our pooch to climb. This can also cause him to slip and fall, causing further injuries instead of serving its purpose.
Weight
We want a ramp that is durable and can accommodate our dog’s weight. But we also want a ramp that we can easily carry. We should never sacrifice the weight and sturdiness of a ramp when making the purchase.
Materials
The materials used can affect the quality of the ramp. We need one that is made from high-quality and sturdy materials and is easy to clean and disinfect. Remember that dogs can get really dirty and the last thing we want is a dog ramp that is so heavy, hard to clean and easily collapses.
Length and Width
Dog ramps have varying lengths and width. We need to find a dog ramp that is wide enough for our pooch to cross easily. The length is also a consideration since not all vehicles have the same height.
Check the description and see if the ramp is tall enough to reach the seats of your vehicle. Consider the angle as a too steep angle can be dangerous and uncomfortable for our pooch. It also needs to be wide enough for our pooch so he can easily walk up and down the ramp.
Pet Needs
One dog’s needs can differ to the next. Asking ourselves the right questions can help us determine if the ramp we are about to buy can accommodate his special needs.
- How heavy is our pooch?
- Is he experiencing joint pain or mobility issues?
- Does he have any specific needs?
For dogs with mobility or joint issues, they require a ramp that has an easy incline. For a heavier dog, he needs a more stable and durable ramp to accommodate his needs.
Storability
Our dog’s ramp is not only meant to help our pooch get inside the vehicle. We also need a ramp that we can take with us in our car so he can easily go down from the vehicle. This means we need a ramp we can easily fold, unfold and store.
Since we want a dog ramp we can easily store and take with us in our car, we can’t settle for a fixed ramp. We can choose from a foldable or telescopic ramp instead.
Cars Dedicated to Dogs
Frequently Asked Questions
How steep should a dog ramp be?
According to experts, 18-20 degrees is the ideal incline for toy or smaller dog breeds. But medium to large sized dogs, it is usually between 22-25 degrees.
How wide should a dog ramp be?
The ramp needs to be wide enough for our pooch to cross over comfortable. It is also a must that we find a ramp that can easily reach the seats of our vehicle.
How can I get my dog used to the ramp?
It takes patience, training and positive reinforcement to train our pooch to use and get used to the ramp. We need to be persistent when training him to increase his chances of using the ramp the right way.
The good news is, some dogs don’t even need coaching to learn how to climb up and down the ramp. If our canine buddy is a bit hesitant to use the ramp, we need to train him so he can grab the concept of using the ramp.
Here are a few ways to start teaching our pooch to get used to the ramp.
- Start by placing the ramp on the ground. Entice our buddy to walk several times across the ramp by using treats as a motivation.
- After a few successful tries, we can start using hand signals to tell him to cross. He should be able to cross the ramp without a treat or hand signal.
- Start gradually raising the ramp and allow him to get used to the new height.
(insert video after answer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeqrCtN8GVM)
Conclusion
Our pooch deserves the best. If he is too small to easily jump from our vehicle, too big and heavy for us to carry him, has mobility issues or his joint pain stops him from climbing up the car, then we only ought to buy him a dog ramp. But then, not all dog ramps are the same.
Some dog ramps can only accommodate small dogs. Others are ideal for higher vehicles and heavier pooch. Others have better surface grip while others focus on the materials used.
We can’t simply choose a dog ramp because of the brand. Our neighbor’s dog ramp may be strong and useful enough in transporting their pets especially during trips to the vet. But our pooch has different needs and considering his needs will help us find a suitable ramp.
We need to find a dog ramp that is sturdy, stable and strong enough to accommodate his weight. It also needs to be the ideal height and the right angle for our pooch to be safe and comfortable when getting in and out of our vehicle. Consider the technical specifications when choosing a dog ramp to find the right one.
