Dog Steps & Stairs Buyer’s Guide
It’s not uncommon for dogs to have trouble getting into higher places. For example, pets love to climb on the bed or on the couch to cuddle. Dog steps and stairs make it easier for them to do this. You will not always be there to lift young pets up to the bed or the couch. But the stairs will take care of this all the time even when you are not around. In other cases, you may have a dog that has lost its agility due to old age. Dog steps can help the pet climb up and down different places with ease.
Dog Ramps vs. Dog Stairs
Pet ramps can play the same role as the stairs but these are two different products. A lot of pet owners, however, prefer the stairs. They can easily fit into small spaces without any issues. However, some dogs, especially those that aren’t used to stairs, will need some time to get used to.
Features To Consider When Looking for the Best Dog Steps
Dog steps and stairs come in different shapes and sizes. There are too many options out there. However, there are a number of important considerations you will need to make before you purchase one which we will cover here.
Safety
Dog stairs are designed to help dogs reach high places and as such, there will be a lot of climbing. As a pet owner, you must make sure the stairs are safe. The pet should be able to climb up and down without slipping or falling.
Mobility
It is also important to choose stairs that can conveniently be moved from one place to another. Dog steps are not designed for one location. Sometimes you may want to use them outside. For example, stairs are commonly used in lifting pets into cars these days. Something that can be moved easily will be perfect for this.
Stability
A good pair of stairs must withstand the weight of your dog. In other words, the stairs should be stable enough to stick on the ground as the dog climbs up and down. This will be safer for both the pet and the owner. Various designs have unique weight specifications. Make sure you understand this before you buy.
Aesthetics
Pet stairs will probably go into your living room. In that case, it should be something that adds décor value to your spaces. Most designs in the market are very stylish but it all depends on your tastes and preferences.
Assembly
Once you buy the pet stairs from the store, you will probably need to set it up. Some stairs require assembly while others don’t. The great thing is that the majority of stairs can be put together with a lot of ease. You won’t even need any tools for this.
Dog Stairs vs. Ramps: Which Do You Really Need?
If you're reading this, you're probably feeling undecided about which option to pick between dog steps/stairs or ramps. If you've never tried one of these options before it can be difficult to figure out which one would be a good fit for your home and your dog. That's why we prepared a guide that'll help you decide based on the advantages of each option while taking your needs and the needs of your dog into account.
What To Choose (Dog Stairs Vs Dog Ramps)
Every dog owner has a unique set of requirements based on the design of their home and the needs of their canine companion. That means there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to pet products.
But, it's understandable that most pet parents can't tell the difference between dog stairs and steps. That's because these two words have the same meaning, and are often used interchangeably, which is what we'll be doing in this article.
Pros Of Dog Stairs Over Dog Ramps
There are many benefits of using dog stairs or steps instead of dog ramps, such as the following:
- Dog stairs are compact, and they don't take up much space. Yet they'll help your pet reach the same height as a dog ramp. You can easily place the dog steps next to your bed or any tight space.
- Dog steps have an ergonomic design that makes it easier to store them when not in use.
- Stairs enable your dog to climb up and down the stairs safely regardless of their age or health condition. That's why dog steps come highly recommended for elderly dogs or young pups that are still getting used to climbing stairs.
- Dog stairs are versatile enough for outdoor use, and you can easily store them next to your car, in your garage or next to an outdoor deck.
- It's easier to find customized pet stairs when compared to dog ramps. That's because manufacturers are always interested in customizing pet stairs and cater to unique customer needs and specifications. All you have to do is provide the manufacturer with your specific dimension, and they'll give you a quote of how much it'll cost to customize the dog stairs.
- Dog stairs typically cost less than dog ramps because they're cheaper to make. This makes them an ideal option for anyone that's shopping on a budget.
Cons Of Dog Stairs Over Dog Ramps
There are also quite a few disadvantages worth mentioning when comparing dog stairs to dog ramps.
- Dog stairs aren’t as sturdy and reliable as dog ramps. Even if you lock your dog stairs tightly, they’ll never be as secure as a dog ramp.
- Generally, dog ramps are safer and more reliable for arthritic dogs because they don’t cause as much strain on your pet’s joints when climbing up and down the stairs. Pet steps or stairs can put a lot of strain on your pet’s joints and make it difficult to navigate elevated surfaces.
- Most dogs favor ramps instead of steps because they have a wider, more reliable look. This is in stark contrast to dog stairs that look narrow and too small to walk on safely. That’s why dog ramps are often recommended for elderly dogs or injured dogs because your pet is less likely to feel apprehensive about climbing onto them.
With that said, different dogs have different expectations and preferences. Some dogs are so anxious about climbing onto elevated surfaces that they won’t go for stairs or ramps.
5 Signs Your Dog Could Be Suffering From Early Arthritis
As your dog ages, it's inevitable that it will experience a decline in health and mobility. You might notice as the years go by that it's not as energetic as it used to be and it easily gets tired after walking or playing with you.
Most dog parents respond to these changes as a normal part of growing up. While this may be true, it's also possible that your dog might be suffering from arthritis. It's important to pinpoint the exact cause of your dog's reduced mobility so that you can help it accordingly. Aside from taking it to the vet, there are a few signs that you should look out for which point to arthritis.
But first, let's take a look at what exactly is arthritis and how you can spot it.
What To Know About Canine Arthritis?
Dog arthritis typically manifests in two different ways. It can come as a degenerative joint disease which is also known as osteoarthritis. This condition develops as a result of gradual cartilage loss. Cartilage acts as a cushion that prevents the bones from rubbing up against each other. A lack of cartilage can cause pain because there's nothing to prevent the bones from rubbing up against one another.
The second type of arthritis that dogs experience is known as an inflammatory joint disease (IJD). This type can happen due to fungal or bacterial infections and manifests as the complete destruction of the cartilage. IJD can also be caused by genetic deficiencies and tick-borne diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, for example.
Either way, most dog owners have a hard time identifying when their dog has arthritis. That's why we've put together the following guide with the five most common signs to look out for in arthritic dogs.
Back Pain
Arthritis can also affect the bones in your dog's spine. You'll know this is the case if your dog walks unusually or if it starts to exhibit a hunched-over posture.
Fatigue
As dogs get older, they tend to sleep more and require more rest. But, if you notice that your dog gets tired easily after walking, playing fetch, and doing other regular activities, it could be a sign of arthritis.
Limping
Dogs limp all the time, and in most cases, it can go away on its own. But, when limping persists over a long period of time, it could be a sign of arthritis. It often starts with your dog favoring one leg over the other, or you might notice that the limping mostly happens in the morning or evenings.
Thin Legs
A dog that suffers from arthritis will have thinner legs due to muscle atrophy and lack of movement. That's why it's important to keep an eye on your dog's physique, so it's easier to notice changes that happen over time.
If this happens, getting your dog a pet ramp or stairs will be beneficial in helping their mobility.
Irritability
Generally, dogs have a different reaction to pain because their threshold is different. You may notice that your dog is more irritable and tends to snap easily when you pet or groom it. It may get to the point that your dog doesn't want to held or put on a leash due to the pain, which is a symptom of arthritis.
9 Tips To Help Your Arthritis Dog At Home
Dogs now have a longer life than they did a few decades ago. However, they also struggle with modern medical problems and cognitive difficulties that weren't present in aging dogs before. One of the most significant issues that dogs face as they age is mobility difficulties that prevent them from fully enjoying life.
The good news is that it's relatively easy to support an arthritic dog that's facing mobility issues. You don't have to refurbish your home or change the structural design of your spaces to accommodate your aging pal. Providing your dog with ongoing medical care will be affordable and shouldn't take that much time or energy from you. In fact, all you need is to make a few non-medical and simple lifestyle changes that don't break the bank.
Want to know how? Read on for some tips on what you can do today to improve your dog's mobility and help it live with aging conditions like arthritis.
Give It Nutritional Supplements
There are many nutritional supplements that come with benefits like reducing joint inflammation, increasing the amount of joint fluid that your pooch has, healing, and protecting joint cartilage. All of these benefits are crucial to healing arthritis in dogs that suffer from it.
Some of the scientifically proven supplements for arthritic dogs include antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, avocado soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), chondroitin, and glucosamine.
Buy Dog Stairs
Incorporating specially designed dog stairs and ramps can go a long way in making your dog's life easier. That's because dog stairs are made in a way that won't strain your canine companion's joints when climbing up and down the stairs.
Help Your Dog Lose Weight
One of the best ways to overcome arthritis in overweight dogs is to help them lose weight. As with humans, the easiest way to do this is to feed your dog a diet that supports weight loss and health. Ideally, your dog's diet should include the right amount of protein needed to help your dog maintain the right amount of muscle mass while promoting weight loss.
Your dog's diet should also be geared towards supporting healthy joints and minimizing the amount of body fat. This will help to limit the amount of inflammation and joint stress that your dog experiences.
Try Physical Therapy
Exercise is known to support weight loss, improve flexibility, and strengthen the muscles. You don't have to enroll your dog in a pet triathlon to keep it active. All it takes is getting a few leashed walks every week and getting it into a customized physical therapy program that alleviates the symptoms associated with arthritis.
Consider Surgery
Severe cases of arthritis require joint surgery but this only happens in the worst case scenario. The type of surgery your dog receives depends on its situation and the type of joints affected. For instance, senior, large breed dogs may require hip replacement to treat severe hip arthritis.
Massage Your Dog
Getting a massage has tremendous benefits for joint health and can help to alleviate symptoms like stiff muscles and painful joints while improving mobility. In fact, an increasing amount of scientific data shows that massage can reduce inflammation and stress hormone production. It also affects the action of pain neurotransmitters related to arthritis.
Try Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another popular form of treatment for arthritic dogs, and it has been shown to treat several other conditions. It works by promoting the release of pain-relieving endorphins while reducing muscle tension.
Use Anti-Inflammatories
NSAIDs, also known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, are a well-known treatment for dog arthritis. That's because they're highly effective at reducing joint pain and inflammation. This'll make your dog more comfortable to move around. Some of the most effective NSAIDs that are commonly prescribed to arthritic dogs include meloxicam, etodolac deracoxib, and carprofen.
Do Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy is another wide-spread form of treatment for dog arthritis. Laser therapy promotes natural cell repair and speeds up the healing process while taking care of symptoms like joint pain and inflammation.
How To Train Your Dog To Use Pet Stairs: A Comprehensive Guide
If you live in a double story house or a tall building, then you'll have to train your pet to climb up and down those steps. This is especially important for pets that are injured and senior dogs. The goal is to teach your furry friend on how to get up and down the dog stairs without getting injured.
It's important to note here that teaching your pet to climb the stairs might be difficult or easy depending on how your dog takes to the activity. Most dogs have no problem climbing the stairs and will be able to do it without much direction. However, some dogs are shy and might even feel intimidated by tall stairs. These types of dogs typically require a fair amount of coaxing and you might need to give them a treat or two to speed up the learning process.
On the other hand, you might have a senior pet that has difficulty climbing the stairs due to health problems. If that's the case then we highly recommend you consult with a vet before you try the tips outlined below. Perhaps you might end up using special dog ramps instead of teaching them how to climb stairs.
How To Get Started On Pet Stairs?
Before you start training your dog to climb the stairs, get it a special treat like hot dogs or a slice of its favorite cheese. You'll also need a leash to guide it along. Make sure to keep a close eye on your dog throughout the journey until you're confident that your pooch can climb up on its own. Although it's not necessary, it helps to have a partner that'll help you out.
For pet parents that have many dogs, it's best to train one pet first and then the other. Training all your pets at the same time can confuse and slow down the process. It's important to minimize distractions as much as possible while you train your dog to use the stairs.
First Treat
When picking out a treat, make sure it's something that'll instantly attract your pet's attention. Then, place it at the bottom of the stairs, call your dog to eat it and pet it for gobbling it up.
Second Treat
Now it's time to start getting your dog up the stairs. Place a second treat on the first step. Your dog should step up to reach the new treat. Once it gets to it, allow your pet to eat the treat while showering it with verbal praise and petting it excitedly.
Second Step
At this point, your dog should be feeling pretty excited about its first treat, and it will be ready to take the next step. If your dog is still nervous about climbing up the first step and hasn't taken its treat yet, just repeat the first step patiently until your pet feels reassured and comfortable enough to take the first step.
Lure Your Dog Up The Stairs
Continue using the same technique to lure your dog up the steps until it reaches the top of the pet stairs. If your pet stammers or finds it difficult to move up the steps; that's okay. Just keep offering it the treats and try to make it feel comfortable so that it can develop enough confidence to take a step forward.
Teach It To Go Down The Stairs
Once your dog has made it to the top of the stairs, you'll have to teach it how to come down. You'll have to follow pretty much the same method you used to get your pet up the stairs. Keep luring it with treats until it takes the first step down and the second etc.
First Step
The best way to entice your dog into taking the first step down is by luring it with its favorite treat. Shower your dog with praise at the same time as that'll encourage it to take the first step towards the treat and down the stairs.
Second Step
If your pet has made it past the first step, follow the same steps until it gets to the bottom of the stairs.
Repeat Everything
Just because your dog has done well doesn't mean you should stop practicing to climb up and down the stairs with it. Ideally, you should repeat this process several times until you see that your pet is comfortable and confident using the pet stairs and can do it safely without any supervision from your part.
5 Methods to Make Life Easier for Your Older Dog
Just like elderly people, aging pets need a little more TLC than young pups. In fact, you may need to make some changes as your pet gets older, which include changing his diet, exercise and sleep regime, as well as ensuring that they're able to move around the house and get to the bathroom safely.
To help you meet the needs of your senior pet, we've got some helpful tips on changes that you can make around your house to make things safer, more comfortable, and accessible.
Get Rid Of Germs
As dogs get older, their immune system tends to weaken, and this is a natural result of aging. This makes your dog more susceptible to developing illnesses that would've been easier for it to fight as a young pup. That's why it's recommended to keep your elderly dog away from other animals that may pass on certain viruses or bugs to your pet.
You should also invest in products like antibacterial wipes and sprays that you can use to wipe down surfaces frequently to minimize the risk of exposing your pet to bacteria. The fewer germs and bacteria there are in your house, the easier it'll be for your pet to avoid contracting illnesses.
Get an Accessible Litter Box
It's inevitable that as your dog gets older, it will experience joint and muscle pain. This makes it extremely difficult for them to get to elevated containers, and you may notice an increase in the number of potty accidents that happen as a result. The best thing to do as your pet ages is to get a low-profile litter box that doesn't require your pet to strain when it's doing its business. If you're having a hard time finding a suitable litter box for your aging dog, ask your vet for recommendations or keep looking online because there are a lot of great deals out there on specially designed pet potties.
Make It Easy To Find Food And Water
Similar to aging humans, elderly dogs tend to experience a decline in cognitive function and memory. That's why you'll find that older dogs often have a hard time finding their water and food bowl even though it's been in the same place for years. The best way to mitigate this problem is to place its most essential objects in areas that are easy to access. For instance, instead of placing its bowl in a corner, put it in an open area that's more accessible to your pet than in other rooms around the house.
Remove Tripping Hazards
Elderly pets have also been known to experience weakened hearing and vision. This makes it difficult for them to perceive obstacles and can cause them to trip all over the place. The best way to mitigate this problem is by getting rid of any potential tripping hazards around your home.
Buy Dog Stairs
Senior dogs often suffer from stiff muscles and joints that make it extremely difficult for them to perform simple everyday activities like climbing the stairs. Luckily, that's what dog stairs and ramps were made for. They're designed specifically for dogs and make it easier for pets to climb into the car, up to the stairs and other elevated surfaces.
While there is no cure for aging symptoms in dogs, there are certain measures that you can take to smooth the aging process for them. Throughout this article, we’ve shared simple and easy tips that you can apply today to make your dog’s life that much easier and safer. This includes incorporating dog stairs or ramps into your home so that it’s easier for your pet to climb up and down elevated surfaces without suffering from joint and muscle pain.
