Sixty centimetres is bed height, and that is a bigger jump than it looks for an animal with stiff hips — a cat landing off a divan takes the impact through the front legs and shoulders every single time. Four steps break that into manageable stages, and the tread depth is generous enough that a hesitant animal can pause halfway rather than committing to the whole climb.

The frame is E1-certified particle board at 1.5cm thick, rated to 20kg, so it stays put rather than sliding as weight shifts onto it — the failure that puts an animal off steps permanently. Faux fur over the treads gives claws something to grip, which bare board does not, and an 8.5cm scratching post is built into the side so it earns its floor space twice over.

• Overall 63.5cm long x 43cm wide x 60cm high
• Four steps; lowest tread 39.9 x 15cm
• E1-certified particle board, 1.5cm thick, with faux fur covering
• 8.5cm diameter integrated scratching post
• Supports up to 20kg
• Light enough at 7.8kg to move between rooms

Teaching them to use it. Put the steps exactly where your pet already jumps and leave them there — moving them resets the learning each time. Treat on each tread, let them walk up themselves, and do not lift them onto the top step, which teaches nothing. Most animals have it within a few days.

Who it's for: Senior cats and small dogs, arthritic pets, animals recovering from surgery, and long-backed breeds where repeated jumping is a known risk.