Home Best Dog Steps And Pet Stairs for 2023 (Top 5) – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Best Dog Steps And Pet Stairs for 2023 (Top 5) – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Last Updated on January 3, 2023
Best Dog Steps And Stairs Reviews main imageYou may see the dog steps at the pet store or visiting your friends’ house and think about it as excess until your own fur baby requires it too. You also may be looking for a way to build the pet stairs by yourself when finding out they are available for buying like many other pet supplies. In any case, if you’re reading this, you have a pet that needs help in reaching tall places.

For this review, we’ve chosen five best dog steps and best stairs for dogs from the wide range of offers on the market. We have tested their quality, convenience, versatility, and the looks. Here you can find the proper model for any dog along with the explanation regarding our choice.

Who Needs Dog Steps or Stairs?

Small dogs and puppies are the main target audience for pet steps because they physically can’t jump on your bed or couch when they want to. They can end up whining on the floor and you will have to lift them every time. It’s annoying. Pet steps can make it better for both pet and their parents.

Medium and large dogs need pet stairs when they are ill or weak or elderly to jump on the furniture. This is the case you definitely have to purchase a reliable “steps”, because such dogs are quite heavy to lift them with your hands.

The last but not the least reason to get a stairs for bed for your pet is joints and spine issues prevention. There are dog breeds prone to these diseases, like Dachshunds, thus their owners should think about decreasing load on their weak points. Don’t omit your veterinarian consultation on this topic though.

Best Dog Stairs and Pet Steps for a Bed Consolidate Chart

Best
Product Review
Price
Our Rating
Overall Pet Steps PetSafe Solvit PupSTEP Plus
$
4.9 out of 5 stars
For Large Dogs Pet Gear Stramp Stair and Ramp Combination
$$
4.7 out of 5 stars
Pet Stairs for Bed Pet Gear Easy Step II Pet Stairs
$
4.6 out of 5 stars
Wooden Steps for Pets Arf Pets Wood Dog Stairs
$$$
4.6 out of 5 stars
For Small Dogs Majestic Pet Portable Pet Stairs
$$
4.8 out of 5 stars

What to Look for when Buying the Dog Steps in 2023

Size

Pay a close attention to parameters of the steps or stairs. Are they large enough for your dog? Does your small dog will be able to use them? These questions will help you to consider the proper size. Mind your living conditions. How much space can you afford for the steps?

Safety

All in all, you are buying the steps to help your pet live healthier and happier life. Thus, check the security features. The main danger of the steps is sliding and tumbling down. Look at the covering of the steps – it must provide grip to avoid slipping. The rubber bottom will prevent sliding on the floor when a dog runs onto the steps. The whole thing must be stable enough to prevent toppling over.

The best choice for an aged dog will be steps with side rails because they help weak paws not to slip from the step. The overall construction must be strong and reliable. 

Mobility

In most cases, you will want to use the steps for more than one furniture in your house. If your pup wants to sleep in your bed she will want to sit beside you on a couch. Thus, the pup steps should be portable enough to let you move them around. Some models can be used even for loading your dog into the car but we recommend to look for specialized car ramps or steps for that.

Look for easy foldable set of stairs if you’re planning to take your dog to a trip. Steps that can be folded flat can be taken wherever you want to go.

Appearance

Dog stairs or steps are made to help furry friends climb the high furniture, hence they become a part of the room. Many pet parents prefer steps that comply with the decor because no one wants an eyesore in their bedroom or living room. Depending on your aim and pet’s needs choose the classy-looking model or a cheaper functional one which can be folded and hidden when not in use.  

Ease of Cleaning

Dog steps get dirty and it’s a matter of fact. Check the possibility of cleaning the steps. If there is a removable fabric cover or treads you can wash them or clean them with a vacuum cleaner. Plastic constructions are the most unpretentious when it comes to cleaning. If you opt for a stylish wood stairs it’s necessary to keep its look using special solutions for wooden furniture.

Assembly

Doggy steps and stairs can require setting up but we recommend to purchase ones that come assembled. The majority of decent products we examined didn’t need any assembly or just little adjustment. Luckily, our top recommended steps don’t require tools to snap them or come completely ready-made.

Top 5 Pet Steps and Dog Stairs in 2023

Here’s our picks for the Best Stair and Steps for Dogs with Reviews.

1. PetSafe Solvit PupSTEP Plus
– The Best Dog Steps Choice Overall –

Solvit PupSTEP foldable pet stairs by PetSafe is our favorite from the dozens of other products on the market. It is great by a number of features but first of all, it’s the most versatile option. You can use it indoors and outdoors, either for small dogs and puppies or large dogs. This set of stairs is foldable for easy storing. It won’t take much space and folds/unfolds in seconds. 

In other words, this Solvit will come in handy in many cases pet parents usually need steps or stairs for their fur babies.

We took a closer look at this product and found out it has even more benefits than obviously detected. First, it has side rails which is rare in dog steps but very helpful if your pup is older and not as graceful as in her better times.These build-in side rails will protect your dog from falling because of sliding from the steps. Second, the stairs have fabric treads to provide better grip for your fur friends paws. Next, the non-skid feet of the stairs prevent it from sliding when a pet using it. The latter is an important feature for the general safety of your pet.

Our rating:
4.9 out of 5 stars (4.9 / 5)

Pros

  • Supports dogs up to 150lbs
  • Non-slide covering
  • Foldable flat
  • Durable plastic construction
  • Side rails for additional security
  • Four moderate steps

Cons

  • No design options

2. Pet Gear Stramp Stair and Ramp Combination
– Best Stairs for Large Dogs –

This Stramp pet step and ramp combination by Pet Gear is good purchase for those dog parents who want to help their pets to reach not very high platforms. You can use it for easy access to a car or a couch for your dog. Basically, it is a one-step platform with a slight angle reminding of a ramp. This product is perfect for medium or large dogs with mild mobility issues. This step is extra-wide to provide better convenience for pups, the rubber grippers on the bottom prevents it from slipping.

This Stramp won’t be useful for very small dogs or those with joint or back issues, because dog will still need to make an effort to use this platform. You can help your fur baby to come up and down from the furniture to prevent mobility issues though. Many older dogs are not advised to jump very often because some breeds are prone to the spine and joints problems.   

This platform is made of very durable material to hold a weight up to 175lbs which is more than enough for a dog. It is covered with a carpet-like tread to allow your pet a better grip; it is machine washable for easy cleaning.

Our rating:
4.7 out of 5 stars (4.7 / 5)

Pros

  • Extended width for big pups
  • Steps and ramp combined
  • Non-slipping bottom
  • Improved safety against falling
  • Portable
  • Compact size

Cons

  • Not for heavy injured dogs
  • Not for access to high platforms 

3. Pet Gear Easy Step II Pet Stairs
– Best Pet Stairs for Bed –

Our next choice is the Easy Step II by Pet Gear. This two-step pet stairs is made to help small dogs or older pets access to your bed or couch without harmful jumps. You can use it in the bedroom or living room to avoid lifting your dog every time she wants to cuddle with you. This particular model is good for small and toy breed dogs allowing them to lift on high furniture. Large and medium-sized dogs suffering from joint diseases will benefit from this set of stairs too due to convenient steps design. 

As all the previous reviewed stairs, the Easy Step II has anti-slide bottom and fabric covering available for washing. This model requires assembly which completely is a breeze. You’ll just have to snap it without any tools. 

Plastic material is very durable yet lightweight allowing you to move it across your house. Although, we would not recommend this steps for a small apartment because it requires space. Unlike the #1 on the list, this steps can’t be folded flat and hidden under your bed during the day. Because of its size it is not handy at all to use this stairs for lifting your dog in the car as well. This is the downside you should mind before you buy it.  

Our rating:
4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5)

Pros

  • Versatile 
  • Sturdy constructions
  • 4 color options
  • Lightweight 
  • No-tools assembly

Cons

  • Too bulky to use for a car or in the small apartment

4. Arf Pets Wood Dog Stairs
– Best Wooden Steps for Pets –

The foldable wooden stairs for dogs by Art Pets is a decent alternative to plastic ones. It is a bit heavier but looks more classy in terms of design. The espresso finish is not the only benefit of this option. Let’s count them all in order of importance. The adjustable height of the steps is the brilliant feature for every dog parent. You won’t need to overthink the size of the steps that will fit your dog the best of all. With this model, you can adjust the step height to 5 levels, from 21.5” to 25.5”, so your pet will get the personalized set of stairs. 

The stairs are covered with fabric allowing for better grip for your pet’s paws. It also has side rails to ensure your dog won’t fall from the stairs. All the mentioned features make this model the perfect option for almost every dog, including old and ill ones. The steps are wide and sturdy enough to support dogs up to 100lbs.

Pet parents will be delighted by the fact that this stairs come completely assembled, all you have to do to start using it is to unfold it and set the proper height. It can be easy folded for storage when is not in use. You can take it with you when traveling but it is not helpful when it comes to help your pet to get into the car because of its size and weight. Besides, it is not easy to clean the fabric covering from the street dust and dirt. Therefore, if you need a gear for lifting your dog to the car, opt for a special ramp or steps.

Our rating:
4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5)

Pros

  • Luxury look
  • Adjustable height
  • Foldable construction
  • Safety side rails 
  • Comes fully assembled

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Not for outdoors

5. Majestic Pet Portable Pet Stairs
– Best Dog Stairs 2023 for Small Dogs –

This Portable Pet Stairs by Majestic Pet is the completely different kind of dog steps. It is made as a whole piece of foam material cut as a 4-step stairs. The good news is you won’t need to set it up in any way. The bad news is it requires space for storing which means this model won’t be good choice for a trip with your pet. 

What most pet parents like about this steps is its design. The foam base is fully covered with removable fabric cover – to make it easy to wash it or change it for another color. Numerous happy pet parents emphasize that they changed the plastic steps for Majestic because of its look. Indeed, you can find the matching design for any room decor. 

While examining these stairs we noticed the rare benefit which is its inherent softness. You won’t get hurt when accidentally stumble upon this steps in the dark.

The most important fact about these steps is its ability to soften pressure on dog’s joints and bones due to foam material, so it’s perfect for pets with health issues of this type. The downside we detected is the weight limit that seems to be up to 40lbs. For a large dog, opt the heavy-duty variant of these stairs.

Our rating:
4.8 out of 5 stars (4.8 / 5)

Pros

  • Allows access for small dogs
  • Soft foam base
  • Lightweight
  • Great variety of pattern options
  • Washable fabric cover
  • Good for joints

Cons

  • Dogs can chew on it
  • Can’t be folded or dismantled
  • Not for heavy pups

Best Dog Stairs Buyer’s Guide: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my dog needs stairs?

You can tell if you need to buy these for your pup after watching her with attention. Does she access places she wants easily? How often you have to pick her up to your bed because she can’t reach it without your help? If you notice that your dog has difficulties with lifting on your furniture then you definitely should think about getting a helpful stairs for her. 

Ask your veterinarian about recommended height your dog may jump without harm to her spine, bones, and joints. Some dog breeds are more prone to developing such issues, although almost all aged pets have troubles with jumping. Therefore, you’d better take preventative care about your fur baby if she is not very young. 

What are the best pet steps?

There is a plenty of pet steps and other helpful fixtures on the market. You can find the right one for any pet and purpose. There is not the one and only #1 option for all because all animals and their families and homes are different. Check out our list of important features that you have to look for in dog stairs and then make an informed choice.

Are ramps or stairs better for dogs?

Ramps and stairs do the same job for dogs but there are certain differences. Ramps are more convenient for dogs with severe mobility issues because they usually provide gradual lifting with less effort than steps. 

Meantime, ramps require much more space than stairs. They are not a handy solution for a small apartment, for example. Thus, steps are the most versatile option for almost any case except those with limited mobility.

How do you train a dog to use doggy steps?

Most pets start to use steps right away because they see the benefit of using it instead of trying to access high place by their own powers. It mostly applies to small or short dogs that just can’t get onto furniture without assisting. They usually don’t need any training except for fearful dogs that may feel uncertain about the unknown object in the room. 

The fearful pups will need a couple of days to get used to the new fixture around. At first, leave the stairs on their place for about 2-4 days without doing anything else with them. Then start to encourage your pup to use it by welcoming to the stairs and rewarding with a treat every successful time. 

Pay attention to train your dog not only to walk up the stairs but to walk down also. Surprisingly, the number of pets don’t want to use steps to walk down and prefer to jump off. It may be harmful for their health, so you have to teach your dog how to get down on the floor using steps. 

The main principle is the same – kindly welcome your pup to walk down and attract her with a favorite treat. Be patient, do not force your dog to use the steps to avoid anxiety. If you frighten your dog with the new fixture she may get stubborn and refuse to use steps at all. 

Large dogs that have back or joints issues will need some training too before they get the idea of using the stairs. Dogs that were able to jump on the couch before, may need time to get used to their disability. Use the same training methods as described earlier and your pups will learn. You can ask a dog trainer about additional ways if they don’t work.

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