Best Dog Ramps for Entering and Exiting Cars

Ramps are a great way for your dog to get safely inside and outside your vehicle without the risk of injury. They are especially helpful for dogs who are a larger breed, are older, or just don’t like jumping in and out of cars.  They are helpful for owners, too—those who suffer from any type of chronic pain, are pregnant, or elderly themselves, for example.

But a quick search on the internet will prove that it isn’t exactly a small purchase (generally, anywhere from $40-$250+), so it’s important to know exactly which one is the best for you, your car, and, of course, your dog.

Here are some tips from our Moline, IL, animal hospital that might help you make the right selection.

The Basics

There are general considerations that should be made by dog owners when considering which ramp is right for them, their dog, and their lifestyle.

Weight Limits

You will want to make sure that the product you’re looking to buy was designed to hold your dog’s weight. Owners of larger breeds need to be especially careful about this, as it is dangerous for your dog to be put on equipment that isn’t suited for them.

You want to be thinking about yourself, too, since getting a ramp for your car is to make life easier for you and your dog.  You may not want to or be able to pick your dog up and down each time it needs to go for a ride. 

Sizing

Most ramps have some kind of folding design (simple fold, bifold, trifold, telescope (has panels that slide over each other), etc.), but owners should take care to make sure that its dimensions (when folded) can fit into the trunk or back seat of the car you’ll be using it with.  You will also want to make sure that its height (when fully extended) is suitable for your vehicle (and won’t put the ramp at too steep of an angle that your dog is uncomfortable using it). 

Logically, SUVs and trucks may require higher ramps than compact cars. Measuring the access point (which may be the top of the bumper, the trunk floor, or the backseat floor) will help you determine what size you need.

Grip

It isn’t a slide at the park! You want to pick a ramp that has some kind of gripping or non-slip surface on it, so your dog can sure-footedly walk up and down it.

It’s also important to choose a product that has traction on the part that will firmly attach to the access point of your car and the road.

Safety Locks

To further ensure your pet’s safety, ramps that have locking mechanisms to keep it stiff as your dog uses it are ideal, but may not always be necessary (depending on the needs of your dog and how the ramp is designed).

Other Considerations

Depending on what you think would be best for your dog and your needs and preferences, you may also consider whether or not the ramp has handles on it to make things like assembly or the transfer from one car to the next easier and what material the interior (felt, rubber, etc.) and exterior (plastic or metal) are made out of.

Recommended Dog Ramps

Taking all of that into consideration (but not extremely detailed nuances in lifestyle requirements), these are some of the ramps that are recommended for dog owners by other dog owners:

Budget Friendly

PetSafe Happy Ride Foldable Dog Car Ramp

  • $74.95*
  • 10 pounds
  • Can support up to 150 pounds

Pet Gear Tri-Fold Dog Car Ramp

  • $78.80*
  • 15 pounds
  • Can hold up to 200 pounds

More Pricey

WeatherTech Folding Dog Ramp

  • $124.95*
  • 16 pounds
  • Can support up to 300 pounds

Pet Gear Travel Lite Ramp

  • $114.99*
  • 13 pounds
  • Can support up to 200 pounds

PetSafe Extra-Long Telescoping Ramp

  • $159.95*
  • 18 pounds
  • Can support up to 300 pounds

PetStep Original Folding Pet Ramp

  • $176.32*
  • 18 pounds
  • Can support up to 300 pounds

* = Price as of January 2023

Dog Ramp Training

Once you’ve picked the perfect ramp for you and your beloved best friend, and if you’ve never owned such a ramp before, you will need to train your dog how to use it.

For some animals, this will be a piece of cake, but others might find the new task a bit more daunting (especially if your dog was used to just jumping in and out and needs to use the ramp due to an injury or old age).

If that’s the case, the best way to get your dog comfortable with the ramp is to go slow and steady. You don’t want to force your dog to use it; let them explore it at their own pace.

Some owners find it best to introduce the ramp to the dog in a familiar, indoor location. The goal of this is to encourage them to sniff and interact with it. Anytime your dog goes near the ramp and smells it, or, better yet, puts paws on it, offer positive associations in the form of treats and words. Eventually, your goal is to get your dog to confidently walk the full length of the ramp.

After that, you want to fade the food lure. This can be done by guiding your dog onto the ramp with an empty hand, saying “yes” after a successful walk across, and then offering a treat from your other hand.

Once you’re certain that your dog is getting the hang of walking on the ramp, gradually incline it until it’s at the level needed for your car.

Let Our Moline, IL, Vets Know If You Have Any Questions About Dog Car Ramps

There are a variety of options when it comes to finding a ramp for your dog to enter and exit your car, and after a little research, it should be easy to find the perfect one for you and your dog!

If you have any questions about dog car ramps, let our Moline, IL, veterinarians know during your pet’s next vet visit. To schedule your pet’s appointment, give us a call at (309) 524-5696