Ramp for an older dog?

[Anonymous]

Our dog is having trouble with steps, and I was thinking I'd build a ramp for our back steps. Does anyone know what sort of slope a dog needs to be able to go up and down easily? I'm assuming 45 degrees is too steep, but how much too steep?

[Anonymous]

I don't really know the answer to your question, but after doing lots of research I brought this ramp for my dog -- a large 14 year old Shepherd with arthritis and muscle loss.: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/solvit-deluxe-telescoping-pet-ramp-1172654

Ramp + a harness with handle have him going up & down stairs and in & out of the car with ease. You can increase or decrease the angle with this ramp because it telescopes, which is great for our needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't really know the answer to your question, but after doing lots of research I brought this ramp for my dog -- a large 14 year old Shepherd with arthritis and muscle loss.: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/solvit-deluxe-telescoping-pet-ramp-1172654

Ramp + a harness with handle have him going up & down stairs and in & out of the car with ease. You can increase or decrease the angle with this ramp because it telescopes, which is great for our needs.

OK, that gives me a place to start, geometrically. How high is the seat or wherever you hook it to your car?

[Anonymous]

I don't know about exact angles, but I purchased pet ramps for my bed, sofa and vehicle from Etsy. There are tons of sellers there that make them, they may give you an idea of what the best angle is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't really know the answer to your question, but after doing lots of research I brought this ramp for my dog -- a large 14 year old Shepherd with arthritis and muscle loss.: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/solvit-deluxe-telescoping-pet-ramp-1172654

Ramp + a harness with handle have him going up & down stairs and in & out of the car with ease. You can increase or decrease the angle with this ramp because it telescopes, which is great for our needs.

OK, that gives me a place to start, geometrically. How high is the seat or wherever you hook it to your car?

It’s a Subaru Forestor and I hook the ramp to the trunk lip. As my dog develops more issues, he needs the ramp telescoped our farther because he can’t handle a steep angle anymore. On the back porch stairs at my old house, I telescoped the ramp out to its max because a steep angle was harder for him and he fell off the edge a few times. This meant he’d have the walk up the top couple steps, but he was ok with that — just not the whole staircase.

I wish this ramp had more of an edge so he’d realize when his foot placement was problematic, though with age and development of neuro issues I think depth perception and foot placement aren’t fully things he can control on tired days.

[Anonymous]

Be sure to make it a lower slope than he can currently handle. Usually the ability to handle a slope declines with age and you don't want to have to rebuild too soon.