Foam steps behave differently to rigid ones, and for some animals that is the point. There is nothing hard to bark a shin on, they give slightly underfoot which suits a dog with sore joints, and at just over 2kg they can be carried from bedroom to living room without thinking about it.

The cover is the part that decides whether you still like them in a year. It comes off and goes in the washing machine — which matters more with a pet who is elderly, incontinent or recovering from surgery, exactly the animals most likely to need steps in the first place. Underneath, the foam is high-density rather than the soft kind that compresses into a slope after a fortnight, and each tread carries an adhesive anti-slip pad so paws grip on the way up and the steps stay put on hard floors.

• Three steps in high-density elastic foam
• Removable, machine-washable cover
• Adhesive anti-slip pad on every tread
• Wear-resistant mesh outer fabric
• Light enough to move between rooms; no assembly
• Suits beds, sofas, car boots, vans and caravans
• Lint roller included

Foam or rigid? Foam is softer, lighter and washable, and it suits cats and small dogs well. A large or heavy dog will compress it noticeably and may prefer the solid particle board versions, which do not move at all underfoot. If your dog is over about 15kg, go rigid.

Who it's for: Ageing cats and small dogs, pets recovering from surgery, and any household where the steps will need washing rather than wiping.