The modern phenomenon that is the rise of SUVs coincides with the rise in popularity of dog ramps for cars. A higher ride height than a traditional estate or saloon is evidently appealing to the masses, but entering and exiting an SUV’s boot is far more arduous for dogs. To read about the best car models for dog owners, you can consult Parkers’ guide.
We pamper our pets in the car as much as we do in the house, and dog ramps are certainly a useful addition, particularly for older dogs and those with joint problems.
When deciding which ramp best suits your dog, think about the height of your car’s boot and the weight of your dog. Dog ramps for cars are generally aimed at catering for medium and larger-sized dogs for obvious weight reasons. A Pekinese you can simply lift down with one hand, but not so much with a husky.
As such, dog ramps have maximum weight ratings of anywhere between 70 and 120kgs. Certainly, the ones we recommend all have weight ratings of at least 80kgs so that they have no problem aiding a 30-40kg dog. What we’ve also done in compiling our recommendations for car dog ramps is give you a variety of surfaces and styles to choose from.
The best dog ramps for cars
PetSafe Telescopic Dog Ramp
Editor’s pick
Price: £86.99 | VIEW OFFER
This sturdy dog ramp has a good grip tread. It’s a mildly textured, anti-slip layer so it doesn’t become slippery when wet or wear smooth over time. The total weight limit is plenty at 120kgs and the aluminium construction is very sturdy. We like that it folds down to a mere 100cm thanks to its telescopic frame. Weight is 5.8kgs.
Pros:
Compact when folded
Adjustable length
Cons:
A little narrow (35cm tread width)
Dibea Dog Ramp
Best budget option
Price: £61.07 | VIEW OFFER
Pros:
High weight limit
Grippy texture
Cons:
Fixed length
Gen7 Natural-Step Dog Ramp
Best grip tread
Price: £112.00 – 157.00 | VIEW OFFER
It’s not quite as compact or light as some of the others here, but they set the bar high and this ramp is still very easy to use and move. It also looks excellent.
Pros:
Looks great
Fantastic tread
Cons:
Not the most compact
PetSafe Aluminium Dog Ramp
Most heavy-duty
Price: £156.99 | VIEW OFFER
On its own it weighs eight kilograms, so the high weight limit doesn’t come at the expense of the weight of the ramp. The non-slip tread is very effective, though we still prefer that used on the Gen7 Natural-Step ramp.
Pros:
Sturdy
High weight limit
Smooth telescopic rails
Cons:
Expensive
Tips
Dog ramps are simply about making life easier for older, generally larger dogs. In researching dog ramps and why you’d need one, you’ll have likely come across many articles recommending ramps in protecting against dogs’ joints. It’s also likely you’ll have had information via word of mouth. Most people speak from experience about recommending such things and it’s worth taking their advice on board. However, never forget to size up and measure before leaping to a decision.
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