Do you have an aging or small pooch ?

...then you have watched how hard it is for him to get up on the couch, bed, or other piece of furniture. Sometimes, dogs just can't reach the places they want to be. Steps and ramps are great pieces of equipment that can help your pooch reach higher.

When picking the right steps

Consider the size and stride of your dog. You would not want a Chinese Crested dog trying to jump up two huge steps to get to the couch. Instead, you would select a piece that had multiple steps. The same is true in reverse; your Saint Bernard doesn't need eight steps to reach the bed. However, if your Saint Bernard suffers from hip dysplasia, then he may need more than two steps. Pet steps can have anywhere from two to eight steps, depending on the size and brand. If you are unsure how many steps your pet needs, then research the steps before you buy them. Often, the packaging will list breed and size suggestions that work well with the steps. If you have stairs in your home, then they can also help you make a fair judgment. Watch your pooch try to climb the stairs. If he has trouble, then you need to purchase steps with less spacing between them. If he walks up them just fine, then look for similar spaced steps. When judging size, do not forget the weight of your pet. Most steps have weight limits; the limits should be taken into consideration before choosing stairs.

Once you decide on how many steps there should be

Then you must determine how high the steps need to reach. The height of a couch may be different than the height of a bed. Measure the distance between the floor and the desired location. Keep track of the distance as your look for pet steps.

Keep in mind that pet steps come in a variety of styles and colors

If you want something that can be easily folded and hidden in a closet, then consider getting a collapsible stair. These stairs are made of plastic and have carpeted steps. Since it's collapsible, you can tuck it away whenever you want. If you have wood floors and would like steps to match, then consider a wood-finished stair. These steps have rubber on the bottom to protect your floor. The steps can be carpeted or covered in anti-slip material. If you have carpet, then there is a variety of carpet-covered steps to choose from. You can find one that matches or compliments your carpet. Do you like leopard print? You can even find exotic animal printed steps!

Ramps serve the same purpose as steps

...and can be used indoors or outdoors. Often, ramps are used to help a pooch get in and out of a vehicle. Like steps, you can choose from a variety of ramps. One thing to consider when choosing a ramp is how long it needs to be. If you want to use the ramp with your vehicle, then measure the distance between the floor of your vehicle and the ground (with an incline of at least two feet away from your vehicle). Choose a ramp that will reach your vehicle without creating too steep of an incline for your pet. Normally, vehicle ramps are collapsible, so they fit easily in your car. Sometimes, the ramps will extend; so they can be used in a variety of settings.

In-home ramps

Which are sometimes supported by a wedge, meaning there is no void space between the walkway and the ground. Ramps are often preferred over steps for pooches that suffer muscle and joint problems. You can find wood-finished ramps with carpeted walkways to match any décor! As with steps, make sure that the ramp will support your dog by checking the weight limit before purchase.

If your pooch is in need of help reaching those high places

Then you may be considering pet steps or ramps. Steps are great for indoor use and come in a variety of sizes and styles. The size and number of steps depend on your pet's physical makeup and needs. Ramps can also be used indoors and differ in size and style. Some ramps are made to help your pet get in and out of your vehicle. Whichever you choose, make sure that you are choosing a product that is right for your pet!

This article was sponsored by discount-pet-mall.com an internet pet shop featuring pet carriers and dog crates