Pet ramps are a good choice for any dog owner, especially if your dog suffers from mobility issues like arthritis.
And professional dog trainers, neurologists, and veterinarians agree that pet ramps can be a proactive measure that safeguards against potential injuries.
Written by Becca Choi, a passionate dog person and proud plant mom living in sunny Los Angeles.
Her first ever pet was a lovable Husky-Shepard mix named Marley, but her favorite breed will always be dachshunds!
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How can Car Ramps for Dogs Help You and Them?
A pet ramp can give your dog more independence on road trips and adventures by making entry or exit to the vehicle easier for them by reducing stress on their joints.
Especially if you have a larger dog who is more susceptible to joint pain and back injury.
And a new study reveals that large dogs who were neutered early (before one year) are also more likely to suffer from joint problems later in life
So, whether you want to be proactive to protect your pup’s heath now or you have an older dog who needs assistance, this list of the hand-picked best ramps for dogs to get in cars is for you.
Top 3 Ramps For Dogs To Get in Cars
The Best Heavy Duty Ramp:
The WeatherTech Folding Pet Ramp
The WeatherTech pet ramp is rated for pets up to 300 pounds. It’s great for large and huge dogs, homes with multiple dogs, SUV trunks, and high truck beds.
The Best Lightweight Ramp:
The Sandinrayli Folding Car Ladder
Coming in at less than 9 pounds, the Sandinrayli pet ramp is the best lightweight dog ladder.
The Best Pet Ramp for Small Dogs:
The BIRDROCK HOME Adjustable Pet Ramp
If you have a small dog, the BIRDROCK HOME freestanding pet ramp is for you.
With three adjustable height settings, this carpeted pet ramp is small and easy to store.
The Best Heavy Duty Pet Ramps
For big dogs who mean business, you need a heavy-duty pet ramp that can withstand wear and tear.
Here are the winners.
If you want to do more for your dog with arthritis, consider getting them an orthopedic dog bed in addition to a durable dog car ramp.
The WeatherTech Folding Pet Ramp
This heavy duty folding pet ramp from WeatherTech is my top choice.
Weighing in under 17 pounds with a foldable design and carrying handles, it’s easy to transport.
The dog car ramp folds to a very compact size. Because of its length and durability, this pet ramp is great for SUVs and trucks.
As with any product made for your pet, you need something safe and secure—and this ramp is it. It includes traction grip, short railings on each side, and rubber feet at both ends with a gripping design.
And if that weren’t enough, it’s rated for up to 300 pounds of pressure.
The COZIWOW Heavy Duty Dog Ramp
This large, heavy duty pet ramp from COZIWOW is rated for up to 200 pounds.
It’s long enough for most vehicles, including SUVs and trucks.
This plastic ramp features a folding design that clips shut, raised side rails, and anti-slip sandpaper.
Keep in mind that the surface of this ramp is too abrasive for some dogs’ paws, but it adds great traction in wet areas such as pools, boats, or bathtubs.
This ramp is long and strong, but something to keep in mind is that some users note it lacks stability, especially for older dogs with health issues.
The Pet Gear Full Length Ramp
This tri-fold pet ramp from Pet Gear is a lo-oong one!
It is the longest ramp on my list and the only one that features a tri-fold design for compact storage. Its length makes it the best extra-long ramp for SUVs and truck beds.
This ramp is good for any sized pet, and it also features a sandpaper-like gripping surface, which may be too abrasive for some dogs. Rubber grippers add stability to the ramp, and a carrying handle makes it easy to transport.
The Best Lightweight Pet Ramps
Heavy duty ramps are great for durability and stability—but they are heavy.
These lightweight ramps might be better suited to you and your pets.
The Sandinrayli Folding Car Ladder
This ramp from Sandinrayli is good for older dogs with arthritis who need extra grip.
And if you happen to suffer from arthritis, too, you’ll be happy to hear that this pet ramp weighs less than 9 pounds. But the light weight doesn’t come from a lack of size.
Its foldable design that locks shut makes it easily portable without taking away from stability. There are rubber grips on the bottom of this pet ramp for extra safety in any environment.
Rated for pets up to 165 pounds, this ramp provides high traction with a textured ladder-like surface which is great for preventing slips and falls for dogs with mobility issues. Plus, it’s easy to clean.
The PetSafe Happy Ride Folding Pet Ramp
This lightweight pet ramp from PetSafe is another excellent pick.
If you find yourself carrying your dog in and out of the car, this pet ramp is a great choice that’s mindful of your bones, joints, and back, too.
Being extremely durable, it can withstand the elements of summer or winter if left in an open truck bed.
The BBBuy Foldable Pet Ramp
This foldable ramp from BBBuy is the last one in my list of lightweight pet ramps but it’s certainly not the least.
With gripping rubber feet, locking design, and carrying handle, this dog ramp is stable, portable, and safe.
The Best Pet Ramps for Small Dogs
All of the previously mentioned ramps are great for dogs of any size. While your pets are sure to be happy with them, these next ramps are ideal for small dogs.
The BIRDROCK HOME Adjustable Dog Ramp
This stylish ramp from Birdrock Home is designed for small dogs and rated for animals up to 75 pounds or less.
Thanks to the built-in kickstand, this ramp features three adjustable ramp settings.
So, instead of propping the ramp up on your vehicle, it stands freely next to it.
This ramp features a wooden frame with low pile carpet for comfort and grip, and it folds down to a slim two palms height for easy storage in the car or under furniture.
The Pet Gear Travel Lite Bi-Fold Ramp
This small folding ramp is primarily intended for side-entry to SUVs, so be sure to measure the width of your car doors before purchasing. This ramp is the lightest on my list—and also the smallest.
With a specially formulated SuperTrax grip surface, this ramp prioritizes your pet’s comfort and safety.
FAQs About the Best Dog Car Ramps
Got questions? We’ve got answers.
What size pet ramp do I need for my car?
Here’s how to figure out what size pet ramp your need for your car.
Measure the height of your truck bed or the trunk of your vehicle.
You need a ramp two times that length to ensure that your pet ramp isn’t too steep for your dog.
Ramps that are longer than two times the height of the surface will be easier for your pet to walk on, while shorter ramps will have a more intense incline.
Some dogs will refuse to walk on high inclines.
As for the width, this will only matter if you need a side-entry ramp. Open your car door as much as possible, and measure the width of the opening to see how short the ramp needs to be.
What is the ideal angle for a dog ramp?
A dog ramp incline should be between 18 and 25 degrees.
Small dogs will need shorter inclines (less than 20 degrees), as will dogs with health issues like joint pain, arthritis, or broken bones.
What makes a good dog ramp for the car?
When choosing a dogt ramp for your car, consider the following factors:
- size (check width and length to make sure it will fit where you need it to)
- incline (you don’t want an intense incline)
- durability (will it break over time and pose a safety issue to your pet?)
- safety (how secure are the feet? does it wobble?)
- comfort (most ramps come with some sort of traction grip surface, but some are better than others)
Photo by Ignacio Amenábar on Unsplash.