Having an older pet can be difficult for both parties. For the owner, it’s having to see your lifelong companion struggle to do the things they used to, and for the pet, it’s the struggle itself. Luckily, you can make things easier for both you and your animal with a set of pet stairs. These convenient stairs are a great way to keep your aging animal from exerting themselves too much when they’re hopping up on the couch, bed, etc. These ultra-effective steps can help in preserving your pet’s aging body, preventing future injuries from occurring, and keeping your furniture relatively scratch-free for the long haul. And even if your pet is still in the prime of his or her life, it wouldn’t hurt to get them an easy access point to one of their favorite spots in the house. They might be more of a luxury than an absolute necessity, but we’d like to think that your dog or cat would thank you for it (if they spoke). Either way, here are some of the best pet stairs for older cats and dogs.
Help their tiny legs reach
For smaller dogs that need a few extra steps to get onto your bed — and take your spot in the process — the PetSafe Solvit PupSTEP Plus Pet Stairs is a great option. This animal-sized staircase is surprisingly lightweight, weighing around five pounds, but that doesn’t take away from its sturdiness and overall strength. While it is better for smaller animals, it can support bigger dogs up to 150 lbs. But it is designed with small and medium dogs in mind, as the tread and spacing size make these stairs easy and comfortable. It’s also essentially slip-proof, as the ladder’s built-in side rails and non-skid feet give your dog or cat increased stability and footing. This allows them to trust the ladder and use it without hesitation. From a storage standpoint, this staircase is the best, as it can fold up and be placed under your bed or couch. Plus, it’s durable enough to be used almost anywhere.
Key Features:
- Weighs around five pounds
- Can support dogs up to 150 pounds
- Slip-proof
Your feline will love this
Cats are a little sprier than dogs, especially when factoring in their jumping ability, so a traditional pet staircase isn’t necessarily the best option. For cats that can still get up there, the Aeromark International Armarkat Pet Steps Stairs Ramp is a must-have. It essentially combines the design of a classic cat tower with a set of pet steps/ramp. On the inside, it’s made with super durable, pressed wood that’s firm enough to support your animal, and on the outside, faux fleece that is soft to the touch and comfortable for cats. With dimensions of 25″ H x 17″ W, it’s not huge, but the steps are far enough apart for cats to jump on like pedestals. Its maximum holding weight is actually 70 lbs., so you could have smaller and some medium-sized dogs use it, but it’s basically designed with cats in mind. After all, they might not be able to tell it apart from their own scratching post.
Key Features:
- 25″ x 17″
- Faux fleece is soft to the touch
- Designed with cats in mind
Just get a one-stop shop
The Pet Gear Easy Step II Pet is a two-step set of pet stairs that works well for pets of all shapes and sizes. Like the first set of steps we looked at from PetSafe, these can fit dogs up to 150 lbs. But what makes them better for large dogs are the wider and deeper steps that are more convenient for bigger pooches. The top step contains 12.25 inches of step depth while the second step contains 11.5 inches, providing large and stable areas for your dogs. Smaller dogs will have a bit more trouble with the bigger, two-step design, however, so we’d recommend this size for medium to large-sized dogs. The staircase itself snaps together easily, making installation quick and safe. The grippers on the bottom of the steps keep the steps secure and in place for your pooch, while each step features a comfortable carpet tread for additional grip. The carpet tread is also completely removable for easy cleaning.
Key Features:
- Two-step design
- Grippers on the bottom of the steps
- Easy to clean
Have the cushion for your pet
The Best Pet Supplies Foldable Pet Steps are made in the United States. This will help relieve joint pain so your pet can easily reach the destination they are trying to get to. This is a space-saving design that is easily foldable, so you can put it anywhere in your home. It comes in nine different patterns, allowing you to mix and match with your décor. Made with CertiPUR-US certified foam, this ensures lifetime durability.
Key Features:
- Space-saving design
- Easily foldable
- Made with CERTiPUR-US certified foam
Easy to convert
Looking like real steps, the MEWANG Wood Pet Stairs will fit in nicely. This has a two-in-one convertible design that can go from four steps to a ramp easily. This is suitable for older and weaker pets to make it simpler for them to get where they want to. With non-skid feet and fabric covering the ramp, this provides traction for your dog. Made from sturdy wood construction, these will support up to 110 pounds.
Key Features:
- Goes from four steps to a ramp
- Suitable for older and weaker pets
- Supports up to 110 pounds
