The Best Dog Stairs for Bed in 2019
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There isn’t much better than cuddling with your dog in your bed. Of course, they have to be able to get up there for you to enjoy the snuggly benefits with your canine pal.
That’s where dog stairs come in handy.
Find the best dog stairs for beds isn’t as easy as it seems at first glance, however. Let’s go over what you need to keep in mind and what you should be looking for in order to enjoy nap time with your canine companions.
Who Needs Dog Stairs?
Larger dogs tend to be able to just hop up in bed with you if they want to. As long as the bed isn’t too high, you’ll be good to go.
Some breeds, like basset hounds, just don’t have the legs for it however. Smaller dogs, in particular, might not have the ability to hop up on the bed without needing to be picked up and placed there.
You’ll also find that older dogs, particularly those with joint issues, will like stairs since they’ll let them climb in bed even if they’re not as spry as they used to be.
In short, any dog who can’t jump into bed with you will benefit enormously from having some dog stairs around.
There are some other big advantages offered by pet stairs even for dogs who are still spry and young however:
- Pet stairs are great for larger breeds who will most likely end up with joint issues sooner or later. They help to reduce stress on the dog’s joints.
- They can often be moved through the home to allow your dog to get to other places. Dog steps for couches, for instance, will let your dog adroitly clamber up without tearing at the couch’s padding.
- Jumping off of a bed repeatedly is going to have a serious impact on your dog sooner or later, training them to use dog stairs from an early age isn’t a bad idea to help with their joint health in the future.
What’s the Difference between Dog Stairs and Dog Ramps?
There are both stairs and ramps available for those who are looking to let their dogs get in bed.
Stairs are the way to go for those dogs who are still pretty spry and don’t have trouble with regular steps around the home. They tend to take up less space than ramps and if they’re properly sized you’ll quickly find them to be a great option for letting smaller dogs get up in the bed.
Dog ramps for beds, on the other hand, are usually bigger than their staggered counterparts. The gradual slope also makes them easier to maneuver for dogs who don’t have the agility to climb steps well.
It’s not too hard to figure out which is better for your dog: just see how they’re doing with regular stairs.
There are also convertible options, which are a good way to go for aging but still active dogs who will eventually need a ramp to climb into bed with you.
Ramps are also a great option when it comes time to load your dog into your vehicle. Keep that in mind if you’re looking at steps for your dog, especially since ramps tend to be easier to move around and take up less room when folded up.
On the other hand, if you’re only using them for the bed then you may want to go for stairs as long as your dog has the physical ability to get up them. Stairs tend to take up less room when in use.
Training Your Pet to Use Dog Steps
Training your canine to use the steps is quite a bit easier than you’d think at first glance.
Keep in mind that not all dogs are going to need a bunch of training in order to be able to use dog steps. If your pet already climbs stairs on a regular basis then you’re probably in luck.
Otherwise, grab a bag of treats and try the following:
- Begin with placing a treat on the first step and waiting for your dog to take it. Repeat this a few times if they show nervousness about the stairs themselves.
- Show your dog another treat and bring it up to the second step. Provide praise if they climb on the first step in order to get it.
- Continue the process until they’ve moved from the floor into your bed.
While many dogs have no problem whatsoever with stairs, others will find the whole thing to be a frightening ordeal.
You know your pet better than we do, but if you follow the above general guidelines you should be able to get your dog climbing the steps within a couple of training sessions.
The same general process applies for ramps as well. Just keep moving things farther up the ramp until your dog is ready to get into bed with you.
What to Look for in Dog Stairs
Not all dog stairs for beds are created equally.
Look for the following when you’re trying to decide which is the best for you and your pet.
Durability
Since your steps are going to take your dog significantly off the ground, you need them to be durable. This is especially important for those canines who are older, since a stair failure can lead to further problems down the line.
Material
You’d be surprised at the wide number of materials that dog steps can be made from. Most of them will be made from either a foam or plastic, both of which have their own sets of pros and cons. Foam is best for arthritic dogs, while harder materials will perform well for those dogs who are still younger or just too small to make the leap into bed.
Step Sizing
The size of steps can make a big difference. For most animals a deep set of stairs with normal sizing should be able to do it. For particularly small dogs you may want to look for something with stairs a bit shorter than those you’d normally find in the home.
Deep Steps
Deeper steps tend to be better for dogs, since they allow them more room to maneuver when they’re climbing. It’s a bit counter-intuitive but often deeper steps are needed for smaller dogs, since they may need to reset themselves and make a bit of a hop to make it up the stairs.
Non-Slip Grip
A non-slip material on stairs is pretty much essential. These coverings will help keep your dog from playing slip-and-slide when they’re coming up the stairs and prevent injuries. For younger dogs who are just trying to keep the pressure off, they’re even more essential since they may attempt to climb the steps at a considerable rate of speed.
Non-Slip Bottom
We all know that even the most sedate dogs get a bit boisterous. You want a set of steps which will hold their position even if your dog gets excited and makes a serious leap onto the bottom stair and a non-slip material on the bottom will ensure that.
If you put all of those together then you’re in good hands.
One more thing, however: for particularly high beds you’ll need more steps. Make sure that whichever one you purchase is of the appropriate size for your own bed for the best results.
Top Dog Stairs for Beds
We’ve assembled a list of some of our favorites that are currently hanging on the market. There’s a ton of dog stairs out there but look these ones over before you go any further. We’re confident that one of our favorite options is going to be able to handle your needs well.
Best Overall Dog Stairs for Bed
Best Pet Supplies Foam Pet Stairs/Steps
When it came down to it, these foam dog stairs were our absolute favorites. They come in sizes ranging from three steps to five and there’s also a wider version available for those dogs who might need it.
On top of that, they’re easily customizable with a ton of different colors and patterns available.
They’re made of a high-quality foam and the cover works great to keep your animal from sliding around when they’re making the ascent. They’ve also got a non-slip bottom to keep them in place when your canine makes a dash for it.
With heights ranging from 13 ½” to 22 ½” you should be able to allow your dog on all but the tallest of beds without any issues. The wider steps even make them suitable for older dogs.
Our Opinion:
Before you move on, we recommend taking a close look at these great foam steps. They’re customizable and match up with our list of recommended traits perfectly. They’re just doggone awesome.
- High-quality foam construction
- Non-slip bottom
- Available in several sizes and colors
- Wide option also available
- A bit expensive
- Probably not the best option for particularly large dogs
Best Dog Steps for Tight Spaces
Pet Gear Easy Step Bed Stair
If you’ve got a tall bed but don’t have a ton of room in your living quarters then you probably thought you were out of luck when it came to dog stairs. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.
These plastic stairs with a non-slip surface have a few different options which will help you to save space in your room. Both the two and three step version are pretty moderately sized and high-quality in their overall construction.
The L-shaped model is where things really start to shine, however. By wrapping around the end of your bed you’ll be able to get five steps without having to take up a ton of floor space.
The L-shaped model also has a decent amount of interior storage space, allowing you to put away toys, treats, and other dog accessories quickly and easily.
The steps themselves are a bit heavier than foam models and they’re available for a wide variety of different sized canines. In this case, we’d recommend going with one of their plastic models since our favorite really does make better foam steps.
Our Opinion:
If you’re looking for a sturdy, great option with limited room then take a look at the plastic variations of these models of dog stairs. They come in two, three, and the five step L-shaped model, all of which are a fantastic buy.
- Sturdy plastic construction
- Comes in a bunch of different models
- L-shaped model has interior storage space
- Non-slip step surfaces
- Foam models aren’t great
- Rather expensive overall
Best Premium Dog Steps for Bed
Premier Pet Steps Tall Raised Panel Dog Steps
If you’re looking for something a little bit classier than the usual fare, you’ll be pleased with these wood and carpet stairs. They stand at 16 ½” tall and they’ve got a different look from the majority of pet steps on the market.
We quickly found the wood construction of these steps to be amazingly sturdy as well. As long as your dog can fit the width of the stairs they’ll be able to make use of them with no fears of anything going wrong.
On top of that, they look great. Whether or not that justifies the high price is up to you, but we feel that in the right home this set of dog steps is going to be a welcome addition.
Even people can use them, since they’re capable of supporting up to 300lbs.
The biggest drawback is simple: the bottom is closed up and relies on the weight of the stairs to keep them from slipping. While we didn’t see any problems in our testing you may run into some issues with particularly large and boisterous dogs.
Our Opinion:
If you’re looking for some steps made with real wood then opt for these. You may want to give one of our other favorites a chance if the high-price is a deal breaker however.
- Supports up to 300lbs
- Carpeted step surfaces
- Real wood and carpet construction
- Wood is dovetailed for extra sturdiness
- Not the best option for mammoth mutts
- Rather expensive overall
Best Convertible Dog Ramp
Pet Studio Pine Frame Dog RampSteps
We really loved this setup. Made with a solid pine frame and able to be converted from a ramp into steps, and easily folded away, it’s the perfect option to last through the lifespan of your pet.
The whole surface is covered in easy-to-clean carpeting as well, just adding to the value of the steps and ramp. It’ll keep your dog from slipping and sliding, allowing them to make sure that they can move smoothly through no matter what they’re doing.
On top of that, the whole thing can be placed under the bed with no hassle. Talk about a useful set of stairs.
The only real problem is that it seems to come with just one height. If it’s suitable for the couch or bed you’re planning on using them with then you’re in luck, but if it’s more than 6” shorter or so you’re not going to really be able to enjoy the advantages.
It’s also one of the most expensive of those that we actually tested.
Our Opinion:
Go ahead and take a look at this convertible set of dog steps. For many homes it’s going to be the perfect option for throughout a dog’s lifespan, but in other cases it’s simply not going to do.
- Sturdy frame rated for up to 130lbs
- Converts from steps into a ramp
- Folds up for easy storage
- Mahogany finished wooden frame looks great
- Very expensive
- Not suitable for all furniture due to size limitations
Best Budget Pet Stairs
Zinus Cozy Pet Stairs
Thankfully, not every set of pet stairs we took a look at was super expensive. These foam stairs hit that perfect price point between overly cheap and too pricey while maintaining a ton of quality.
These ones come in a few different size iterations. It’s a nice touch, since you’ll be limited by many of the more expensive models on the market which usually only have one or two sizes available. Each color and step variation is available in sizes from small to extra-large, which means that almost any dog will be able to get usage out of them.
The foam they’re made of is super durable, able to hold its shape for a long time even with massive dogs running over it. The cover is also easy to clean, which is a nice touch since dogs are inevitably going to track mud or dirt over their steps.
The only place they really fall short is in comparison to the others on our list but with such a wide range of sizes available it’s hard to not pick up a set just to see if they’ll work out for you.
Our Opinion:
If you’re looking for something a little bit cheaper then take a closer look at the models of dog stair available from Zinus. For the price you’re simply not going to be able to beat them.
- Cheaper than other comparable products
- Tons of sizes available
- Made of great foam
- Easy to move
- Not as awesome as our favorite
- A bit too flimsy for really large dogs
Best Dog Steps for Couches
Petsfit Wooden 3 Step Pet Stairs
We don’t recommend leaving these ones next to the bed, simply because a stubbed toe is going to become an issue sooner or later. On the other hand, for those looking for something to let their pet get up on the living room furniture it’s a great option.
The whole set of steps is made of high-quality wood, making it extremely sturdy compared to most options, and it comes with non-slip grips to keep your dog safe.
The construction also has side guards, allowing your dog’s confidence to soar while they’re going up the steps. It’s a little-used feature but for anxious and fearful dogs it can make all the difference when it comes time to train them to climb.
It also has handles to allow it to be easily moved, although it’s a bit heavier than many of the options on our list.
Our Opinion:
If you’re looking for a great way to let your dog get up on the couch, then you’ve found it with the Petsfit Wooden 3-Step Pet Stairs. Just keep in mind it’s heavy and a bit low for some beds.
- Extremely solid construction
- Handles for easy movement
- Side-rail to provide dogs with confidence
- Easy to assemble
- Not suitable for all beds
- Rather heavy
Let Your Dog In!
When it comes time to let your dog up into bed or onto the couch, it’s really hard to find anything better than a good set of pet stairs. A bit of training and your dog will be using them like a champ, allowing the two of you to spend more time together without having to lift them.
Young or old, an investment in the best dog stairs for beds is a long term investment in the health of your pet.
So, why not pick up the right one today? With some thought you’ll be able to ensure your pet’s joint health for years to come.
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