Best Dog Ramps

Dog ramps are the most efficient and safe way to get your best friend in and out of a vehicle. Whether you own a chihuahua or a great dane the routine and comfort for both you and your dog will be much better if you decide to use one.

As for convenience almost every model available today is very user friendly and can be easily retracted so you can store it at the back of the trunk or across the back seat. This way your dog stays in the trunk while the ramp can stay there with him or at the back seat so you will only need to operate the ramp when your pet gets in and out of the car.

If you`re a proud owner of an older dog ( like my 12 year old German Shepherd) a ramp is very important for your buddy’s health. Older dogs, especially larger breeds, tend to have skeleton problems including herniated disks and arthritis so the less stress you put on their joints the better.

Most dogs will be afraid to walk these ramps at first as like anything that is new to them, they are afraid to step into unknown territory. However rest assured that after one week or so he will be going up and down like a champ. Don`t be surprised if he even refuses to enter the car without its ramp as it can be a highly playful time for most dogs!

The best strategy here is to lay the ramp flat on the ground and encourage the dog to walk across/over it with treats. After he overcomes this phase ( usually no more than 30 minutes) bring the ramp up just one step high at your house steps or other place he uses every day, and after that gradually increase the level to higher ground . An alternative way can be making the ramp the only way the dog can get up onto his favorite sofa or chair.

Don`t forget that dogs usually find it easier to learn how to walk down from a place before they learn how to walk up , therefore make sure you teach him first how to descend before going up.

A last piece of advice: do not force your best friend to use it : let him take its time because if you insist he may become fearful of the ramp and trust me it will be a lot harder for you to teach him how to use it.

Pickup truck owners will love this ramp as it is one of the best options you have in the market because of its generous proportions and loading capacity.

Despite being light for its size is very resistant thanks to the materials Solvit use to make this ramp-a combination of aluminium and plastic very well put together.

Thanks to its extra proportions, soft climbing angle and wide walking platform your dog will walk in and out of your vehicle easier and without stress.

In fact the secret behind the success of this product ( currently best selling dog ramp at amazon) is its telescoping design that makes it slide in and out in a matter of seconds- as simple as that.

What I dislike about this ramp is the grip tape surface that is not brilliant in terms of traction for the dog and I think rubberized ribs would have been a wiser choice here.

Another minus is the way the product feels unfinished specially the metal of the ramp that has some sharp edges. Don`t get me wrong as this won`t probably hurt your dog, but can rip your seat if you`re distracted-something no one is expecting from a product costing over $100.

If you own a large dog, want the widest of all available ramps (one of the longest too), and need a locking strap to keep it from sliding open when carrying it this baby ticks all boxes and should definitely be in your short list.

Pros

- walking surface made from High-traction material provides sure footing

-very handy safety latch and carry handle

-very sturdy

- supports over 300 lbs

-best for large dogs

Cons

-some sharp edges may not be riveted in place

-its not the lightest ramp ( around 18 lbs) therefore a little hard to handle

- can take up too much room in smaller cars

Specs

-20 inches wide , extends from 48 to 87 inches long

-carry handle and safety latch included

-1-year warranty against defects

-aluminuium and plastic construction

The Solvit 62320 deluxe is a nicely made ramp from a brand that usually delivers good solid products at a fair price. With a foldable lightweight design it is very easy to use and in a matter of minutes you`re off to go. At first what catches our attention is the no-slip coating and the way the two pieces are connected: very sturdy and cleverly designed.

In terms of convenience the walkway is a bit gritty and not smooth ( like a carpet) which makes cleaning it a lot easier.

Another cool thing about this ramp is the gentle angle between your truck and ground so your dog will use it with more confidence without risking going off the track and falling. The raised sides also ensure that the dog's legs will stay on the ramp avoiding those nasty falls.

However not everything is perfect with this ramp. Being at the narrow side bigger dogs won`t be 100% comfortable with it nevertheless its still manageable. If you own a large breed like a German Sheppard or a bull mastiff you better off with the Solvit 62320 Deluxe XL as it has more generous proportions.

Another negative about this ramp is the way it has a sandpaper material attached to it ( the intention being not letting the dog slip), however its very fragile and can easily be tore by your pet`s claws.

Pros

-light considering its size: 10 pounds

-very easy to fold

-affordable

Cons

-A bit narrow for larger breeds

-sandpaper material covering the ramp feels fragile

- top part does not attach that well to the back of a truck

Specs

-62 inches long

-supports up to 200 pounds

- folding design

-1-year warranty against defects

The Pet Gear Travel lite is a rock solid ramp that performs well for almost every dog and vehicle. It is strong and good looking yet small enough when folded to store at the back of a medium sized car.

It’s made from a really hard plastic that does not bend and has a very clever detail : it attaches easily to the back screw of almost every car hatch closure , which makes it stable and safe for using.

As for loading weight I cannot see a 100 pound+ dog being able to use it as it does bend a little when you get close to a 90 pound working load . Definitely this ramp was made for small to medium sized dogs like a Labrador or a young german shepherd.

The less achieved thing about this ramp is the steep angle it has when you use it that combined with a less than ideal grip surface makes it a bit dangerous specially if you have a tall vehicle like a pickup truck. Some customers at amazon solved this by installing an outdoor carpet and outdoor carpet mastic which can be easily done at a local hardware center.

Pros

- skid-resistant tread

- Tri-Fold design: very compact for transport

- very light and easy to use

Cons

-narrow

- incline is very steep

- locking latch feels flimsy

Specs

-Slip resistant surface

-foldable

-Built in handle for transport

-non slipping grippers at bottom

-66 x 16 x 4-inches

For Women, youngsters and people with back problems this ramp is spot on as it is very easy to slide open and close thanks to its reduced weight of 18 pounds. However don`t let its light weight fool you as there is almost no bounce to the ramp when a medium sized dog is using it.

As for convenience this model is long enough so that the angle is not too steep so it doesn`t get slippery or hard for an older dog to use it. In fact it is equipped with non-slip feet at both ends making your life a lot easier as it keeps the ramp in place when your dog is entering or exiting the vehicle.

Safety-wise the nice high profile rails transmit your dog extra safety as he will have an easier life staying on track.The telescoping action is another plus making it easy to store in the car and deploy as needed.

One of the best things about this ramp is the way the design protects not just your pet but your car thanks to the material at each end that protects your car finish-the same material that makes the ramp to stay securely on the bumper of the car while in use.

In terms of negatives there are no major flaws however what most amazon customers disliked about this ramp is the way it takes too much space when stored and the way it is a bit tricky to slide open.

All in all while not being the best ramp out there for larger dogs Mr. Herzher has made a fine product that can compete with the options available from the brand that leads this space ( Solvit) at a reasonable price.

Specs

- Shur-Foot tread surface

-supports up to 300 pounds

-Telescopes from 41-1/2-inch to 70-inch in length

-weight 16 pound

Pros

- At just 16 pounds is one of the lightest ramps available today

-very durable

-protects your car finish

Cons

-there are better options for larger dogs

-not that easy to store even collapsed

-it could slid open a little easier