If you don’t have the time right now to read our full guide to the best dog ramps available, our top pick is the Laura James Portable Folding Ramp. This was the outright winner through our extensive testing, research and analysis. However, do make sure to read on and find out more.
Sometimes, dogs needs a bit of a helping hand. That goes for their owners, too! From small dogs to larger breeds, you may find that, from time to time, you need a bit of extra support in getting your pooch up ramps and into vehicles and even onto furniture and or the bed.
This time around, we’re going to be looking through the best dog ramp options for our furry friends available on the market right now.
Car dog ramps are really useful if you know that you are going to need to take your dog in a vehicle regularly, or if your pet is sruggling to jump onto the couch or bed.
Some people prefer stairs and steps and these tend to work better than a dog ramp indoors. On the whole, a dog ramp is likely to work well outside, however, there are also models out there which you can utilise as an indoor dog ramp
The products we will be reviewing in this guide include:
- Laura James Portable Folding Pet Ramp
- PetSafe Happy Ride Extra Long Ramp
- PetSafe Solvit Ultrlite Bi-Fold Pet Ramp
- The Fellie Dog Ramp Ladder
- Hewitt & Blue Large Dog Ramp
Our Best Dog Ramps for Cars – Reviews & Buyers Guide
Let’s take a look at my top picks for the best ramp options you and your dog can use for mobility, training and more.
Keep in mind that I have carefully considered the following ramps for dogs in line with what other users have to say, as well as through testing methods we normally exercise for our buying guides.
Best Collapsible – Laura James Portable Folding Pet Ramp
This no-frills dog ramp is the cheapest ramps in the list, but that doesn’t make it inferior to any of the other products. It’s a fantastic asset for a smaller or lighter dog, with a weight limit of up to 4.5kg acceptable. The marketing for this product lets us know that it’s built with arthritic dogs in mind.
As the name suggests, this dog ramp is easy to collapse and unfold again. At less than 5kg, it’s also very light to carry and pack away, meaning it is probably going to be a good pick for holidays and regular trips in the car.
Pros:
- Great weight to load bearing ratio
- Very affordable on the whole
- Packs down and pops back up with ease
- Ideal for a dog with joint problems
Cons:
- Might be a bit steep for some pooches
Best For High Cars – PetSafe Happy Ride Extra Long Ramp
There are going to be some makes of car which need bigger or longer dog ramps. Therefore, if you have a bit of a truck or a 4×4, it’s worth investing in this super-long model for a dog to easily walk up and down.
This telescopic dog ramp is one of the top rated ramps online, and even better, it can support up to 140kg in weight. This means it not only compacts down easily for storage, but its surface is also amongst some of the most durable ramps you’ll find on the web.
Pros:
- Made from aluminium, no flimsy plastic
- Super high grip surface for extra traction
- Great for heavier pets
- Very lightweight in construction and easy to transport
Cons:
- May be a little expensive for some people
Top Option For Large Dogs – PetSafe Solvit Ultrlite Bi-Fold Pet Ramp
This bi-fold ramp is likely to be one of the most popular picks for families with bigger dogs, and for those who want to save a little more money in the support they pay for.
This reasonably-priced dog ramp is great for larger breeds in that it bears considerable weight and that it has a great safety locking mechanism to keep you and your dogs safe at all times.
What’s more, this is an impressively lightweight ramp that’s also easy to fold away when not in use. The PetSafe Solvit system is a good all around bi-fold dog ramp, perhaps more convenient than many people generally expect from this kind of system.
Pros:
- Easy to grip onto, anti slip protection great for all paws
- One of the best value dog ramps
- Carrying handles and foldable system make it great for holidays
- Great balance between heavy load bearing but light to carry
Cons:
- Some car dog ramps may seem better made (but will cost more)
Top-Rated Indoor Pick – The Fellie Dog Ramp Ladder
This dog ramp is a little different to others on the list in that it’s ideal for helping smaller dogs get on and off furniture. However, there is nothing to say you can’t use it for training, either. This dog ramp has two set heights in its cheapest model, though there is a four height option available if you need or want the added flexibility. The choice is yours!
This is a durable ramp option which easily holds up to 60kg dogs and which boasts a textured grip carpet, meaning it shouldn’t ever be too slippy for your pets to cling to when moving up and down. It’s ideal for getting dogs on and off beds and furniture without them risking their joints and bones!
Pros:
- Great for smaller dogs (and even works for cats)
- Easy to adjust whenever you need
- Nicely designed and blends well into home spaces
- Folds away easily and doesn’t cause clutter
Cons:
- Maybe not the best for larger dogs
Perfect For Heavy Dogs – Hewitt & Blue Large Dog Ramp
With a surface that will support animals of up to 110kg in weight, this impressive dog ramp is ideal for owners who have bigger or heavier dogs who are impossible to lift into the car. Instead of giving yourself an injury, this simple ramp system will allow your dogs to trundle in and out of vehicles without any kind of fuss.
Impressively, it’s really lightweight. Just because it supports heftier breeds doesn’t mean it has to be large or cumbersome on its own! It weighs less than 7kg and glides up and down for you to easily slide into the boot of your car.
Pros:
- Really supportive of very heavy animals
- Glides open very smoothly, easy to use
- Reinforced metal makes of one of the safest systems available
- Grip surface means no slipping on this ramp
Cons:
- Can be a little expensive, but worth the investment
A dog ramp is a unit which you can set up to help your pet get in and out of the car, in and out of boats, or even for simple training purposes.
In many cases, owners invest in dog ramps if their pet struggles to jump in and out of the boot of their car as this is usually higher.
Dog ramps come in a range of sizes, types and styles, meaning that hunting down the most fitting options may not be as easy as you assume. It all really depends on the dog that’s going to be using it, and how and where you are likely to be setting your dog ramp up.
Who Needs a Dog Ramp?
There are different dog owners and pets who are likely to benefit from a lightweight dog ramp the most. Here are a few scenarios where a dog ramp might just come in handy over time.
Your Dog Has Mobility Problems
It’s safe to say that car dog ramps come in really handy for those pets who have aching joints, arthritis or problems with their muscles. These dogs might not find it so easy nowadays to get up and down from high points, or jump in and out of the car. Therefore, it makes sense to set up a ramp with a high traction surface to help them along. Otherwise, you’d normally have to lift your pooch in and out – and that’s not going to be healthy for the dogs or their owners in the long run!
You Take Your Dog In The Car A Lot
One of the main reasons why people invest in a car dog ramp at all is for functionality and flexibility or if you have a boot particularly high up, that’s difficult for your pooch to leap in and out of.
Again, this may well apply if you have older dogs or a pet with mobility issues. The best dog ramp options also help heavier and bigger pups, too, as well as small ones who simply can’t climb in.
If you’re likely to be taking your dog on the road a lot, then a dog ramp or car ramp system is likely to be a solid investment. Try and consider a portable dog ramp that is easy to store and to bring out again and again, You also need to consider the weight and whether you can easily lift it.
You’re Training Your Dog
There are also pet ramp options out there, which are great for training. You may well have seen ramp training portions of shows such as Crufts before! Therefore, encouraging agility and stability through the use of a pet ramp a with high traction surface is always a great idea. However, you must differentiate between a dog car ramp and a pet ramp that is built for training in the house or getting onto the bed.
Crucially, while shopping around, you may find that there is a ramp you can use for practical purposes and a ramp or two which you can use to build up a dog’s strength and dexterity.
You Can’t Lift Them
Of course, a ramp will come in handy if you’re having problems of your own, too. Whether your dog is on the heavier side, is a big breed, or you have mobility or joint problems.
It makes sense to shop around for the best dog ramp option which will easily support your dog’s weight without being heavy and has a non slip surface. Fitting a dog ramp to a car or van shouldn’t be too tricky, and the best car ramp options should be simple to open up and flatten down.
You Want To Protect Their Joints
It also stands to reason that you should invest in one of these dog ramps if you are worried about your dog’s joints and muscles.
Some breeds are at higher risk of muscle and joint problems in later life, and frequent leaping in and out of cars will, unfortunately, only do your pooch more harm than good. Here ramps are ideal.
This is especially going to be the case if you have a small but heavy dog that is often leaping up and down from high places. The pressure on their joints will likely cause them a lot of pain – and not only do you need to ensure their joints are as healthy as possible for the years to come, but you also need to ensure they are not in any discomfort, either!
Trust me – a great dog ramp could be just what you need when it comes to supporting your pet on a daily basis. However, there is an alternative option out there – dog steps or stairs – and it’s probably a good idea to consider which options are likely to suit your needs. Dog stairs are usually used to assist a smaller dog to climb onto a bed or furniture.
How to Choose a Good Dog Ramp?
As you might expect, when it comes to dog ramp systems, no one option really fits all. That’s why it’s always worth shopping around, looking at top brands, and making sure you know what separates the different surface and portability options available.
Before you go ahead and invest in any dog ramp for your car or otherwise, here’s a quick breakdown of what to include in your checklist.
Ease Of Portability
If your main reason for buying a dog ramp is to allow your dog easy access into a vehicle, then it makes sense to look for an option which is really easy to move around.
A telescopic dog ramp might be a good idea, as these dog ramps for cars will compact down and pop back out again as and when you need them. What’s more, you should be looking for a ramp that is lightweight to handle. This might mean that it is made in plastic, however – so ensure you are investing in a hardy plastic ramp that’s unlikely to splinter or crack easily over time. Once again, that golden rule – read up on what other ramp buyers and users have to say.
Look for a pet ramp that folds in half, at the least, as well as those which have a carry handle. This will be an asset to you if you’re taking your pooch on holiday, for example!
Durability And Load
Of course, investing in a heavy duty dog ramp makes perfect sense if you have a bigger or heavier pet than most. This is why it is also often worth avoiding the cheaper or nastier plastic only models. You want to look for a high traction system that is built to withstand high pressures and heavy loads. This means investing in a sturdy surface as well as strong foundations, so be sure to look carefully at the options you come across in terms of marketing and reviews.
Durability and load are key things to keep in mind if you are looking for a pet ramp for a large dog. It is all well and good looking for cheaper options which seem big enough, but you must ensure that you invest in a high traction dog ramp that’s not going to buckle or break through regular use.
Flexibility & Stability
Flexibility and extendability are absolute musts for dog ramps, too. In many cases, you will find a telescopic dog ramp is particularly useful when you’re unsure how much space you need or which angle you need to set up at.
You can normally fold dog ramps which are telescopic, too, which means that they should also tick the box for portability. Of course, this is not always a given so do ensure to look carefully before you buy.
As well as durability and load bearing, you should always look for a dog ramp that offers a non slip surface. This might be skid resistant by design, may have rubber feet, or may be water resistant.
The top ramp picks, of course, will have all of the above. A non slip surface on a ramp, of course, is going to be a real asset to a large dog and senior dogs alike. This means looking for more than just a simple plastic surface to the dog ramps you consider buying for your car access.
Try and look for non slip dog ramps in the first instance, as these will help you to ensure that even the largest of pups don’t skid about on the surface.
Car Suitability
It’s also worth thinking about how a ramp is going to come into use with your car. In most cases, you will find that a telescopic dog ramp is perfect, as it will fit most vehicles. This may even be worthwhile considering if you have a 4×4 or utility vehicle, for example, where getting your dog to jump into your vehicle is a near impossibility.
Try and look for a ramp that’s a multi-fit, or one which will support your specific type or brand of machine. This way, you won’t have to worry about fiddling about with it too much when it comes to actually getting your dog into your car and out again.
Other Purposes
As I’ve briefly mentioned, not all dog ramps are built for getting pets in and out of the car. Some of them are great for training purposes, which means that you may find some which are perfect for indoor or garden use. These ramp systems, naturally, are going to be much smaller than those telescopic dog ramps you’d normally need to fit to your car.
Easy to Clean?
Lastly, it’s a really good idea to look for dog ramps which are easy to clean. A ramp you can just wipe down after a muddy day, or should your older dog have an accident on the way up or down, is going to be a genuine asset in the long run. Your pooch isn’t likely to care too much about whether or not you can clean down a ramp. However, for your convenience and peace of mind, it makes sense to find dog ramps which are easy to maintain over long periods.
Stairs vs Ramps
The jury really is out on whether or not stairs or dog ramps are ideal, though there are pros and cons to both. As mentioned, I do have a separate guide available on pet steps which you may find useful if you are unsure which options are likely to work well for you.
On the whole, however, a heavy duty dog ramp that supports your dog’s weight is probably going to work well when easing your pet into a vehicle. For example, a folding dog ramp will be simple to set up and take down again for storage on the move. This type of ramp won’t just be useful in helping you get your dog in and out of a car, but even boats, too.
What’s more, there are different types of training you can use when you introduce a dog to either stairs or dog ramps. Therefore, it all depends, too, on the regime you have in mind for them. Both options have very specific scenarios they can fit, meaning it would certainly be our advice to look carefully at what other dog owners and ramp users have to say for the full lowdown.
If you ask me – if you have the money, and if your dog really could use the extra help – why not invest in steps and the best dog ramp for cars? One for indoors, one for out. Take a look at both of my buying guides and shop around to find the top fits for you and your pet.
Last Word
A dog ramp is going to be a great purchase if you and your dog go driving in the car regularly. As mentioned, there should also be plenty of picks out there for dog ramps which you can use indoors, too, whether your dog needs help getting in and out of bed, or if you simply want to train them!
Finding ideal dog ramps doesn’t have to be a hassle. However, do ensure you look through all the points I’ve listed above, as some will be better fits for bigger dogs, and with some ramping, it can be difficult to fit things at the most suitable angle. So, do always feel free to shop around. If you’re asking if we had to pick one, it would be the Laura James Portable Folding Ramp as it is great value for money and ideal for most sized dogs.
Whether your dog needs a little help getting in and out of the car, or if you find you can no longer lift them in and out of where they need to be, a dog ramp system is likely going to give them plenty of support. Take a look through my picks of the top five dog ramps available right now and see what other owners and reviewers have to say, too.