We all think of our dogs as young and healthy, no matter their age or physical abilities. We expect them to be able to jump into the backseat of our car, or onto the back landing, without breaking a sweat.
Time catches up with everyone, sadly – even our beloved dogs. And there may come a time when injury, age, hip dysplasia, arthritis or other issues simply won’t let them run, jump and leap the way they once did. That’s when it’s time to give them a gift they’ll really appreciate: an outdoor dog ramp. (Miniature and toy breeds may need a ramp just to get into the car, of course.)
Before buying a ramp it’s important to consider your dog’s weight and size, because his ramp must be sturdy enough to support him and wide enough to let him walk without danger of falling. Aluminum or other lightweight metal ramps normally support dogs weighing as much as 250 pounds. Plastic and PVC ramp manufacturers claim that their products can support 100-150 pounds, but they may pose a risk for large dogs and are a better choice for puppies, toy dogs or cats. Most outdoor dog ramps are about 16” in width, although some are 2-4 inches wider to accommodate pups with stability issues. The majority have no-slip, grit surfaces for traction.
The severity of the dog’s disability is also a key factor, because many who have difficulty walking need a long outdoor dog ramp that has a gentle slope. That also means determining how high the climb will be; a short, one-piece ramp (usually good for heights up to 18”) may be suitable for a passenger car, but will create a slope that’s much too steep when used to reach minivans or truck beds that are 22-40” high.
You can find many ramps with the 18° slope that’s ideal for most older or disabled dogs, and others with a 22° slope that’s acceptable for those with minor impairment. You may see ramps with slopes as steep as 26° or 28°, but those are primarily used for dog show training.
Longer outdoor dog ramps are usually between six and eight feet in length and come in two different styles, folding and telescoping. Folding metal outdoor dog ramps will be sturdier than telescoping models, but the latter are easier for humans to use and their adjustable length makes them simpler to open and close. However, either style will support just about any dog.
Jessica Zernike Category Curator 
Natural-Step 72" Pet Ramp
A natural look for a seventy-two inch long pet ramp made for dogs. The ramp is made out of black plastic with elements made out of artificial grass. The ramp is perfect both for helping dogs get to the bed as well as teaching them tricks.
Natural-Step Mini 42" Pet Ramp
A handy solution for any small dog owner who needs to get around with their pet in a car – a natural looking pet ramp made out of plastic with artificial grass top, perfect for helping small dogs reach the car.
Deluxe Telescoping 72" Pet Ramp
A practical portable anti-skid ramp for pets. It's made of lightweight aluminium and plastic in metallic and grey shades. It's sturdy, telescopically foldable and can be rinsed with water. It's equipped with a handle and rubbery anti-slip feet.
Folding 70" Pet Ramp
A practical portable ramp for pets. It's manufactured of sturdy but lightweight aluminium in a grey shade. It's foldable and has raised edges, indented end parts and a horizontally ribbed surface for security.
Free Standing Extra Wide Carpeted 55" Pet Ramp
Rustic design for an elegant, extra wide pet ramp made out of dark brown oak wood with plastic and metal elements. The pet ramp can be folded in half to limit the size of it, making it more compact and space-efficient.
Ride Right Foldaway 58" Pet Ramp
A large, fifty-eight-inch high pet ramp for bigger dogs to help them reach high places. This one is made out of aluminium frame in a silver color with black plastic elements which can be rotated to create stairs.
Smart 70" Pet Ramp
A uniquely made pet ramp with an adjustable frame which can be made longer and personalized on the run. The frame of the pet ramp is made out of white aluminum with a center made out of soft rubber material.
HalfSTEP 39" Pet Ramp
Simplistic look for a very minimalistic pet ramp made of white plastic with wheels on the bottom, to make it more mobile. The pet ramp has thirty-nine inches of height, which is perfect for small and medium dogs.
If you’re looking for a safe and secure way to help your pets get up to the car, take a look at this pet ramp for dogs made out of a rubber material that both prevents slipping from it and makes it soft to walk on.
Adjustable take on a portable, folding pet ramp made out of white-painted aluminum with a shiny finish. The pet ramp is perfect for helping a dog reach the trunk of a vehicle, and even has a rubber padding to make it soft.
Simple yet efficient solution for getting a dog to the car – a long, seventeen-inch half ramp for pets, made out of plastic in a light gray color with a material inlay made out of cotton to ensure it being soft enough.
Multifold Supertrax 71" Pet Ramp
A practical portable vehicle ramp for up to 200-pound dogs. It features a 3-section foldable frame of durable grey plastic. It has an anti-skid surface of soft green material, a security tether, rubberized bottom grippers, an inbuilt handle.
Deluxe XL Telescoping 87" Pet Ramp
A cool portable ramp for up to 300-pound pets requiring help to reach high places. It has a 42-87-inch-long regulated telescoping frame of resistant lightweight aluminium and plastic in greys, raised edges, an anti-skid surface, a security latch.
Vehicle 62" Pet Ramp
A useful portable vehicle ramp for old, infirm, up to 150-pound pets. It has a sturdy 62-inch foldable in half frame of resistant lightweight black plastic. It has raised edges, a security tether, an anti-skid surface with bone motifs on ends.
Feather-Lite 72" Pet Ramp
A practical portable ramp for up to 250-pound pets. It has a sturdy lightweight foldable frame of durable grey plastic. It's equipped with an anti-slip surface of sandpaper, a rubber handle, top and bottom rubbery grippers, a security tether.
This wooden outdoor dog ramp shall be a convenient solution, both for the dog and its owner. Dark stained wooden construction with a guardrail on its exterior side. Fully safe and solid construction.
This outdoor anti-slip handmade wooden pet ramp will be an ideal solution for small dog owners. Made from solid, densely-grained bright wood, it creates a warm, natural appeal.
A small and simple pet ramp for helping dogs with getting into the car. The ramp has a compact, bi-fold structure and is made out of plastic in a beige color with two padded sheets of cotton fabric in a cream color.
DIY project for a handy ramp for dogs, situated on the outside on a backyard patio. The dog ramp is made out of pallet wood and has a white coat of paint, making it match nicely with the outer walls of the house.
This bright wooden dog ramp constitutes an ideal proposition for all dogs and their owners. It will help smaller or older dogs to climb the staircase without any difficulties.
An adorable outdoor addition for all pet owners. This white, wooden ramp is a full DIY project, designed to facilitate the everyday lives of dogs and their owners.
This outdoor dog ramp will be a helpful solution for all small or infirm dogs and their owners. Ideal to install it on stairs, this 4-piece, bright wood ramp would fit into almost every outdoor decor.
An aesthetic sturdy portable ramp for pets and for outdoor use. It's manufactured of durable grey plastic covered with weather resistant synthetic carpet fabric in a similar shade. The ramp has top landing and a special attachment area.
A cool flat-foldable height-adjustable portable ramp for pets. It's of wooden materials in light brown shades. A rectangular base has cutouts to lock supports of a ramp in one of 4 positions. A surface is covered in blue anti-slip carpet fabric.
A pretty portable car ramp for up to 50-kg pets. It's made of wood in natural shades and features an across slatted anti-slip surface. It's foldable in half, has a grapple, rubberized feet, 2 handles. Hinges and a fastener are of metal.
DIY idea for a self-made pet ramp with a pet door on top of it. The ramp is made out of solid wood painted in a black color and has a rail made in a matching color. The door is fitted with a cover, so it does not let cold in.
A folding dog car ramp for dogs, perfect for taking with you on family trips or camping. The ramp is made out of plastic in a black color and can be folded it two to make it take less space and fit in a vehicle.
Stylish design for a compact, space-efficient dog ramp made out of oak wood with a dark tint and a fine polish. The inside of the ramp is padded with a plushy and soft material in a white color, making it comfy for dogs.
DIY idea for a self-made, primitive dog ramp made out of reclaimed wood, making it eco-friendly and cheap to manufacture. The ramp has an unpainted finish and has a coat of varnish which makes it waterproof.
A pretty useful portable outdoor ramp for pets. It's of black finished weatherproof materials. It has a wedge-like frame, 1 panel support, raised walls along 2 edges of a landing and 1 of a ramp. A surface is covered with grey anti-slip fabric.
An aesthetic useful high-profiled outdoor ramp for quite large pets. It has a rectangular frame of wood finished in white. It's equipped with safety grapples. Pretty dark blue anti-slip carpet fabric on a surface is secured by horizontal slats.
Clever and innovative, this outdoor pet ramp will help you create a dog-friendly house. Ideal for cats or dogs, will facilitate their everyday lives and give you a better feeling of security.
This outdoor dog ramp will be a practical addition for both the dog owners and their puppies. It has rubberized bottom grippers for secure placement. Its carpet tread provides sure-footing and is removable for easy cleaning.
Comprising a black landing and a bright wood framing, this outdoor ramp for pets is not only practical, but also very stylish. It will facilitate the everyday's life of your cat or dog, as well as yours.
A simple but ingenious and cool over stairs ramp for dogs. It is DIY-created from a rectangular wooden frame (with an aged finish in greys) of an old painting or mirror. It has gently elevated rounded edges and a sturdy surface.
A cool long DIY-created over stairs ramp for pets. Its frame, having high-profiled horizontal side rails and upright angular posts, is made of grey painted wooden planks and slats. A surface is covered with darker grey anti-slip carpet fabric.
DIY project for a set of convertible dog stairs made out of oak wood with padded steps, fitted with a rubber material in a black color. The frame of the stairs can be swapped with ease to make them a ramp, which gives the piece an extra function.
If you’re looking for a handy way for helping your dog reach the top of the stairs or a car, take a look at this pet ramp. The pet ramp is made out of aluminum frame and is covered with a soft, cotton fabric upholstery.
A long dog ramp with a small incline, perfect for smaller dogs or ones with back problems. The ramp has a rail made out of solid wood with a white coat of paint and has a padded inlay which makes it soft and comfy.
Handmade project for a DIY dog ramp made out of reclaimed wood with an unfinished and unpainted appearance. The stairs are a perfect addition to a backyard patio or a balcony to help a cat or a dog get on top of it.
Give your puppies a helping hand with this compact dog ramp. Its foldable surface won't take up your space and would be convenient in transport. Compatible with all vehicles, it is designed to lift up 40-lb dogs.
Handmade, this outdoor pet ramp shall be a perfect proposition for all pets' owners. Sturdy and weatherproof, will serve its role for years, helping your dogs, cats or even rabbits access any hard to reach surfaces.
This outdoor dog ramp constitutes a perfect proposition for those, who love to take their dogs on trips. It is 20 inches wide and easily adjusts from 47 inches to 87 inches long. Exceptionally solid, it can lift up to 250 lbs.
A cool practical stationary ramp for pets. The ramp is placed between a wall and stairs. Its slanted surface is covered with anti-slip blue carpet fabric. It's lighted by 9 white LEDs along an edge and 1 at the bottom end.
A cool practical portable garden ramp for pets. It's DIY-made of solid wood with a weatherproof stained finish in natural shades. It has a wedge-shaped frame, an anti-slip surface with across fixed slats and gently raised edges.
An aesthetic practical portable ramp for pets. It's DIY-crafted of solid wood finished entirely in white. It has 2 upright angular legs joined by a straight stretcher, a widthways ribbed anti-slide surface, elevated edges.
DIY project for a homemade outdoor dog ramp made out of oak wood with a light tint with a built-in railing. The ramp is padded with a beige cotton fabric and has a built-in storage hidden in the back of the piece.
Sophisticated setup for an outdoor backyard patio, fitted with a long dog ramp made out of reclaimed wood with a beige coat of paint and a decorative railing, nicely contrasting with the balcony fence in a dark color.
An outdoor pet ramp for small dogs and cats with a frame made out of solid oak wood with a light tint. The dog ramp is padded with a soft upholstery made out of cotton and has steps which make it slip-proof.
Ideal for those, who would like to facilitate a bit the everyday's life of their puppies, this top dog bridge will help your dogs reach your bed or the trunk of your SUV.