Ramps & Steps

Steps suit a fixed height that doesn't change, like getting onto a bed or a sofa that stays in the same spot. A three or four-step unit breaks the climb into smaller, more manageable stages than one big leap, which is the whole point for a dog with sore hips or a cat who has slowed down.

A ramp suits anywhere the height or angle changes, most obviously a car boot. It also tends to be gentler on stiff joints than steps, because there's no repeated up-and-down motion — just one steady incline — though it needs more floor space to lay out at a shallow enough angle to be worth using.

Weight rating and stability matter more than looks. A wobbly step unit will put a nervous or unsteady pet off using it within a day, so check it's rated comfortably above your dog's weight and stands solidly on the surface you'll use it on, not just on a hard showroom floor.

A non-slip surface is not optional. Wood, fabric and foam steps all need enough grip on the tread itself, since a dog who slips once on the way up is unlikely to try again, however well the rest of the design suits them.

Most pets need a little encouragement the first few times rather than working it out on their own. Placing a favourite treat partway up, and again at the top, gets a nervous dog or cat associating the ramp or steps with something good rather than something new and slightly wobbly underfoot.

Position matters too — set steps or a ramp at the exact spot your pet already tries to jump from, rather than a few feet away, or they'll simply jump past it out of habit.