The 9 Best Dog Stairs of 2023

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The Spruce Pets / Sabrina Jiang

Maybe your tiny dog can’t jump up on the bed or your senior pup has difficulty leaping onto the couch. You might want to look into dog stairs to make the trip up and down so much easier.

“If you have a teacup Yorkie and an extra tall bed, the only way they can snuggle you is for you to pick them up and then put them back down. However, with stairs, they can come and go at their leisure,” says veterinarian Dr. Brian Evans, DVM, medical director of Dutch online veterinary service.

“This is also helpful for pets that are prone to back injuries, such as dachshunds. The constant compressive force that is applied to their back when they jump down from a bed or couch can be a problem for them and the controlled decline of stairs removes that jarring motion,” Dr. Evans said. “Stairs can also be helpful for pets with orthopedic problems such as arthritis and immediately post-surgery for problems such as fractures and cruciate ligament injuries.” 

Stairs come in different heights and widths and can be placed against a couch, bed, or vehicle to help your pup make the climb. In our search for the best dog stairs, we considered the overall height of the stairs, the number of steps, how much weight they can support, and extras like non-skid surfaces, side rails, and whether they can be folded.

Our top pick is the Pet Gear Easy Step II Cat & Dog Stairs. The stairs are wide, deep, and gently sloped, which makes climbing easier. They also have washable, removable stair treads and are easy to assemble. But there are several other dog stairs we also loved.

Here are the best dog stairs.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Pet Gear Easy Step II Cat & Dog Stairs

Pet Gear Easy Step II Cat & Dog Stairs

Courtesy of Chewy

What We Like
  • Wide, deep steps

  • Slight slope

  • Easy to put together

  • Washable carpet tread

What We Don't Like
  • Slope might throw off some dogs

These stairs are a good solution for nearly every need. They have wide and deep steps which make it easier for small dogs to pause their entire bodies on each step and they give larger dogs a better feeling of stability. The step rise is 6 inches high and there’s an overall slight slope. That means fewer stairs to reach the same height. Some dogs might need a little coaxing to navigate the slant, particularly when heading down the stairs.

The steps are plastic with carpet tread on the top and rubber grips on the bottom. The washable tread keeps your dog from sliding on the stairs and the grips keep the whole thing in place, even on hardwood or tile floors.

The stairs are easy to snap together with no tools necessary. They support even the largest pets, with a maximum weight of up to 150 pounds. However, the stairs are only 16 inches high, so they won’t get your pet up into a tall bed.

Price at time of publish: $51

Dimensions: 22 inches x 22 inches x 16 inches | Maximum Weight: Up to 150 pounds | Number of Steps: 2 | Material: Plastic

Best for High Beds

PetSafe CozyUp Folding Dog Stairs

PetSafe CozyUp Folding Dog Stairs

Amazon

What We Like
  • Foldable

  • Raised side rails

  • Non-skid feet

  • Available in gray or tan

What We Don't Like
  • Rise height can be hard for very small dogs

  • Step mats aren’t removable

These tall stairs allow your pet to get to the top of your bed easily. There are raised side rails to keep your pup or cat from falling off the sides and the steps are covered with fabric treads which offer traction. The treads are adhesive, however, and can’t be removed for washing.

There are non-skid feet to keep the stairs from sliding. Each step has a 6.25-inch rise which might be hard for small dogs to climb. They fold flat and can be stored under a bed. Although the large steps hold pets up to 200 pounds, the manufacturer says they are made for small and medium dogs. That’s because the steps are small and narrow.

Price at time of publish: $70

Dimensions: 28 x 18 x 25 inches | Maximum Weight: Up to 200 pounds | Number of Steps: 4 | Material: Plastic

Best Budget

Zinus 2-Step Comfort Stairs

Zinus 2-Step Comfort Stairs

Amazon

What We Like
  • Removable cover can be washed

  • Easy to assemble

  • Comes in several sizes

What We Don't Like
  • Only 13 inches tall

Made of high-density foam, these simple steps are lightweight and easy to move around wherever you need them. The cover is soft and can be removed to machine wash. The soft fabric and the cushiony foam give senior and achy dogs a gentle landing when going up and down.

The steps are very easy to assemble: It’s like slipping a pillowcase over the stairs and zipping it up. This extra-small version has two steps, but there are others with 3–4 risers. The steps are only made to support dogs up to 60 pounds and the whole stairs are only 13 inches tall. That might be OK for helping your pup onto the couch, but could be too short to reach the bed. Each step is 6.5 inches high. There’s rough material on the bottom to keep the whole thing from slipping.

Price at time of publish: $30 (Extra Small size)

Dimensions: 17 x 14 x 13 inches | Maximum Weight: Up to 60 pounds | Number of Steps: 2 | Material: Foam

Best Splurge

Pet Gear Easy Step Cat & Dog Stairs

Pet Gear Easy Step Cat & Dog Stairs

Courtesy of Chewy

What We Like
  • L-shape design saves space

  • Built-in storage area

  • Rubber grips on bottom

  • Removable carpet treads are machine-washable

What We Don't Like
  • Bulky, so can’t be moved easily

These steps have a handy L-shaped design that can wrap around your couch or bed, saving space instead of poking out into the middle of the room. The short, deep steps have a 5-inch rise, which is ideal for smaller dogs. The carpet treads offer added security and when they get grimey, just toss them in the washing machine.

It’s lightweight plastic with rubber grips on the bottom to keep it from sliding. There’s a nifty storage area behind a hinged back panel where you can stash some of your dog’s toys or other favorite things. The stairs snap together easily but are pretty bulky, so they aren’t easy to store when you aren’t using them.

Price at time of publish: $155

Dimensions: 37.5 x 14 x 26 inches | Maximum Weight: Up to 75 pounds | Number of Steps: 4 | Material: Plastic

Best for Large Dogs

Best Pet Supplies Linen & Foam Cat & Dog Stairs

Best Pet Supplies Linen & Foam Stairs

Amazon

What We Like
  • Made of mattress-quality foam

  • Many color choices

  • Lightweight

  • Machine-washable cover

What We Don't Like
  • Bulky when folded

The sturdy foam in these steps is mattress-grade, which means it eases pressure on your pet’s joints. It’s also made in the U.S. and is free of mercury, lead, and other potentially harmful chemicals. It’s lightweight and easy to move around and it folds up to a large block. The folded product still takes up a significant amount of room (but might fit under the bed).

The stairs are covered in a removable, machine-washable linen cover that is available in several different colors. There’s a skid-resistant bottom to offer more stability. You can purchase them as two, three, and four steps

Price at time of publish: $70

Dimensions: 30 x 16 x 22.5 inches | Maximum Weight: Up to 100 pounds | Number of Steps: 5 | Material: Foam, linen

Best for Small Dogs

Precious Tails Sherpa Foam Pet Stairs

Precious Tails Sherpa Foam Pet Stairs

Amazon

What We Like
  • Short rise for small dogs

  • Washable, soft fabric cover

  • Lightweight with non-slip bottom

What We Don’t Like
  • Not for dogs over 30 pounds

With only a 4-inch rise, these steps are ideal for small dogs, particularly those with short legs. The fabric cover can be removed and machine-washed and comes in several neutral covers. It has soft sherpa fleece on the top and microsuede on the sides.

The high-density foam is dense enough to offer support but soft enough to cushion joints.The stairs, however, are meant for dogs only as heavy as about 25-30 pounds. It’s lightweight so it’s easy to move around, and has a non-slip bottom.

Price at time of publish: $60

Dimensions: 21 x 15 x 16 inches | Maximum Weight: Up to 30 pounds | Number of Steps: 4 | Material: Foam and sherpa cover

Best Car Ramp

PetSafe Happy Ride Foldable Dog Car Ramp

PetSafe Happy Ride Foldable Dog Car Ramp

Chewy

What We Like
  • Side rails

  • Traction surface to prevent sliding

  • Lightweight

  • Folds easily

What We Don’t Like
  • Some dogs take time learning to use it

  • Sandpaper-like surface can be uncomfortable

A collapsible ramp makes it convenient to get your dog in and out of the car if they have difficulty jumping in by themselves. This foldable ramp is made of sturdy plastic so it easily supports your pup, but isn’t unwieldy when you tuck it away. It locks when folded and has a non-slip surface, four rubber feet, and side rails to give your pet security on the way up and down. Note that the surface can be rough on some dogs’ paw pads. 

Designed primarily for use to get in and out of a vehicle, the ramp still can be substantial when folded up (31 x 4 inches) so you’ll always have to have room in your trunk. Some dogs might take time to learn how to use a ramp. Start with it on the ground and use treats to coax them. Then eventually prop it up to the vehicle you’ll use. 

Price at time of publish: $75

Dimensions: 62 x 16 x 4 inches | Maximum Weight: Up to 150 pounds | Number of Steps: N/A | Material: Plastic

Best Foldable

Petmarker Folding Plastic Pet Stairs

Petmarker Folding Plastic Pet Stairs

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Foldable

  • Side rails

  • Two colors

  • Felt step covers

What We Don't Like
  • Narrow steps

When pets are learning to climb stairs, having raised side rails offers some security. These foldable stairs also have felt pads on each step for traction. Because they’re attached by adhesive, they aren’t removable for cleaning.

The steps have a short rise of only four inches which makes them easy to scale for small or short-legged pups. But the steps are relatively narrow so larger dogs might balk at using them. The stairs come in tan and gray with paw print designs on the side. Foam pads on the bottom also help with security. They fold up to fit in a closet, under the bed, or in a trunk.

Price at time of publish: $42

Dimensions: 23 x 15 x 18.5 inches | Maximum Weight: Up to 120 pounds | Number of Steps: 4 | Material: Plastic

Best for Senior or Joint Pain

Topmart 3-Tier Foam Dog Ramp Steps

Topmart 3-Tier Foam Dog Ramp Steps

Amazon

These corduroy-covered soft foam stairs have longer and wider steps that allow pets to climb up gradually. Because they’re gently sloping, they almost function like a ramp. The corners on each step are also rounded to avoid injuries if a pet bumps into them or slides. The machine-washable textured fabric gives dogs additional non-slip support when they go up and down the stairs.

The stairs come in two, three, or four tiers and there’s an anti-skid bottom. The foam takes a day or two to fully open up and decompress. Because it’s somewhat spongey, it can only support dogs up to about 50 pounds.

Price at time of publish: $107

Dimensions: 28.5 x 20.5 x 15.7 inches | Maximum Weight: Up to 60 pounds | Number of Steps: 4 | Material: Foam with fabric cover

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick is the Pet Gear Easy Step II Cat & Dog Stairs. The stairs have washable, removable stair treads and they are gently sloped, wide, and deep to make climbing easier. If you need something taller to reach a high bed, look at the PetSafe CozyUp Folding Pet Steps.

What To Look For in Dog Stairs

Material

Dog stairs are usually made of plastic or foam. Plastic is easiest to clean, but foam is softer, which is particularly healthy for seniors who might have joint pain. Foam stairs have fabric covers, which should be removable and washable. Many steps also have fabric or felt step mats that offer additional traction. Extra points if those are removable and washable too.

Size and Maximum Weight

It is important to find the right size steps for your pet. “If the height of each stair is too high, it won’t do your pet any good,” says veterinarian Dr. Brian Evans, DVM, medical director of Dutch online veterinary service. “Also, if you have a large dog with a narrow stair, there is a higher chance of the stairs tipping over if they don’t go straight down.” 

If you want your dog to be able to climb up to a tall bed or into an SUV, you’ll need to make sure the stairs are comfortably tall enough. Manufacturers should also provide a maximum weight so you know the steps can support your dog.

Use

Stairs can be used to climb onto a couch, bed, or into a vehicle. You probably wouldn’t want a long ramp in the house or a short set of stairs to get into a tall truck. Many are foldable so you can tuck them away under a bed or in your trunk.

Number of Steps

Stairs might have just a couple of steps or as many as four or five. Shorter dogs navigate better with a short rise, which is the height of each step. The lower the rise, the easier it is for a dog to climb. Larger dogs feel more secure with deeper and wider steps.

FAQ
  • Why won’t my dog go up the stairs?

    Some dogs might be afraid of stairs. Going up and down doesn’t always come naturally, especially if your dog has aches when he moves. And in some cases, it’s easier to go up stairs than it is to go down, which can be harder to navigate. “Not all pets will know how to go up and down stairs and may need some instruction and encouragement,” says Dr. Evans.

  • How can I help my dog get in bed with stairs?

    Treats can usually help. “Place treats on each step for them to find. The treats may help your pet to overcome their fear in order to get the reward,” says Dr. Evans.

    If you use a harness with your dog, try guiding them up the stairs until they are more comfortable doing it by themselves. “Each time your pet makes it up or down, it is important to also give verbal praise and pets to help reinforce the behavior and let them know how proud you are of them!” Dr. Evans says.

  • When should you use dog stairs?

    If your older dog or smaller pup is struggling to jump onto the bed or sofa, a set of dog stairs can help them get up without a struggle. If your dog has trouble navigating the stairs in your house, you may want to consider a ramp instead.

  • How do you store dog stairs?

    Some dog stairs are meant to be left out all the time, while others are foldable and can be stored underneath the sofa or bed.

  • Are there weight restrictions with dog stairs?

    Yes. Check the manufacturer’s suggested maximum weight before buying a pair of dog stairs.

Why Trust the Spruce Pets?

For this roundup, Mary Jo DiLonardo collected information from customer reviews, product websites, and pet owners who have used stairs. The stairs were evaluated on size, material, number of stairs, and how they could be used.

DiLonardo has been writing about pets and animals for several decades. She has a rescue dog and has fostered more than 50 dogs and puppies. She is always trying different products to keep the dogs in her care entertained, healthy, and safe.

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