First Coast Pet

Posts Tagged ‘Dog Steps’

Dog steps may sound a little funny, but you have no idea how much stress it takes off of any dog owner. Pet Stairs are just like our steps, we use our steps to go up or downstairs. Taking into account how much smaller a dog is then us they need steps a lot more then we do. The steps eliminate dogs from having to jump from tall heights and hurting themselves.

The dog steps were first made to help adult dogs that suffer from bad backs, or hip malformations. Now, the dog steps have become so popular that people are beginning to purchase them for animals of all ages. The dog steps are now being used as a prevention mechanism to stop anything from hurting the dog. Constant jumping up and down is bad for dog’s backs and can cause them to lose feeling in their backs at a very young age. These steps are a god-send to animal lovers who want their animals to be comfortable wherever they may be.

You can purchase the Pet Steps in any kind of style that you want. There are traditional wooden steps, steps that have carpets, or even steep steps. The choice is yours in what you believe would be more beneficial to your dog. My personal agenda on the matter, I would choose the regular steps. My reason behind that is because my dogs are still young and they really don’t require much help climbing anything.

The downside to these now more convenient steps is the cost. An ordinary foam step can cost you 0.00 or more depending of course on where you purchase them. If you simply do not have the funds to buy these adorable stairs, find someone who can build them for you. It’s actually pretty simple to make stairs and place carpet on top of them. With making the stairs you will probably spend about .00 which is a drastic step down from the first figure.

So, you have decided to build your own Pet Steps. That is a great alternative! Not only does making your steps save you money but it allows you to put more pride in what you’re doing for your best friend. You’re going to need someone who is a well renowned carpenter to help you. Make sure you pick up about 3 2×4 pieces of wood, some cushion to line on the stairs and some carpet or material to cover over everything. The best part is the material; these are going to be your dog’s best friend so get creative if you want to. Remember a dog is like your child you want them to be happy to receive the gift.

Make sure that you let any small children know that the dog stairs are not a toy for them. They are for the dog to use to climb so they don’t hurt themselves. Remember the stairs are made from wood and could injure a little child. So, please keep an eye on your children when you have dog stairs in the home.

The concept of the dog stairs may be difficult for older dogs to grasp. They may need to be trained on how to use the stairs. So, if you find your dog still jumping up and down on your bed or couch, do not get mad at them. They have naturally developed a habit to do so. You need to train them that the new stairs do belong to them and how they need to use them.

Dog stairs are a great invention. It ensures that your dog does not get hurt when it’s jumping around all the time. And, the steps eliminate any late night accidents. Every dog owner should own a set of dog stairs!

Have you ever jolted out of sleep—and likely one of the best dreams EVER—only to realize that the reason you awakened in the first place was because your dog pounced on the bed? Many of us dog owners are familiar with this scenario, and frankly, it can be a little difficult—especially in a fear & annoyance-induced stupor—to resist the urge to shove Spot right back down off the bed and demand that he sleep on the floor.

Even if you are overcome with annoyance when awakened by your dog, a part of you probably thinks back to all the times your dog snuggled with you while you cried or chilled out next to you while you watched The Godfather marathon on TCM. It just doesn’t seem right to suddenly deny your dog the tradition of sleeping with his favorite person—you!—when the reason he gets off the bed in the first place is likely to scope out the house to make sure you aren’t in danger. It’s completely natural for a dog to feel compelled to get up a few times during the night; he’s the watchman while the family sleeps. That being said, you DO need your sleep, which is why it’s highly suggested that you consider investing in a set of dog steps for beds.

The main problem with your sleeping arrangement is the jerking sensation when your dog jumps off of and onto the bed, right? Dog steps make it easier for your dog to move between the bed and the floor with very little disturbance. Most dog stairs come in a carpeted finish, too, so you don’t even have to worry about his nails clicking on the steps and waking you up.

Now that you are aware of the comfort that dog steps for beds can bring you, you should also know that they can play a major role in preventing your dog from developing serious conditions such as arthritis later on in life. Yep, dogs can acquire joint issues with age just like we can. Large breeds of dog are already susceptible to hip dysplasia and arthritis, and small dogs can actually break body parts from landing improperly from a jump.

See, there are JOINT advantages to both your dog’s health and your sleepy time happiness through dog stairs for beds. Just make sure that you have the measurement of the height of your bed (from floor to the top of the mattress) when you go to purchase your dog stairs. It doesn’t do you or your dog any good if he has to leap to and from the stairs. Best of luck to both you and your dog!

Picture this scenario: You’ve decided to buy your dog a set of pet stairs. You’re fairly confident that any type will do, so you hop onto Ebay and bid on the cheapest stairs available. Who cares if they’re shipping from Hong Kong? –The shipping is free on this auction! Four weeks later, your steps arrive in a small package. Okay…you weren’t expecting to have to assemble them yourself.  No matter—you get your tools together and chuck out the instructions which were written in a language you can’t even begin to decipher. Halfway through assembling the cheap plastic bits, you realize that it doesn’t look nearly as appealing—or safe—as it did in the auction picture. You carry it out to your SUV and nudge it up to the open door, only to be disheartened at the realization that the steps are way too short to accommodate your car. What are you going to use them for now? They’re too brittle to be used as an everyday stepping stool, and you’re not even sure they’re high enough to aid your dog in getting on the bed.

The best way to keep this from happening to you is to learn as much as you can about the requirements that your dog’s stairs will need to meet. Throughout this article you will need to ask yourself a few questions. These questions are important in narrowing down the possibilities for your dog based on his (and your) needs.

Question One: What does your dog weigh?

It does no good to purchase dog steps that won’t hold your dog’s weight, therefore you should probably bust out the scale and get your dog’s weight. You have to take into consideration the pressure your dog will put on the stairs isn’t simply his own body weight, but he will have gravity working on his side—especially when descending—which will add on a bit more weight. Therefore, read everything on the box if you’re browsing in the store—or all the “product info” if you’re looking online—and make sure that it clearly states the steps can handle your dog’s weight. If your dog is on the upper end of the limitations, consider going to the next size of steps.

Question Two: What is your dog’s height/length?

The size of your dog (both in height and length) is a good indication as to whether you have a large, medium, or small breed of dog. You need to make sure that the steps you give your dog have enough climbing and landing room, which means you need to have a look at the width of the steps (from the base of the back of the step to the front). Putting a toy-sized dog on gargantuan steps could make it very difficult for the dog to navigate the steps—not to mention the possibility of a slip resulting in injury. Below you’ll find a basic guide to aid you in choosing safe pets for your dog.

Large Breed: 16” Steps or Larger
Medium Breed: 14” Steps
Small Breed: 12” or Smaller

Question Three: What purpose will the steps be used for?

This, again, is very important to ensure that you get the correct steps for your needs. Do you need the steps to aid your dog in getting to your extra-high bed? Perhaps you should look into purchasing high pet steps. Will the stairs be used for the car? Lightweight, mobile pet stairs will likely be the best option for you. The best way to figure this out is to simply dust off your tape measure and measure the distance from the floor to the top of the surface your dog needs to access. If you’re using the stairs for your bed which is 2.5 feet from the floor, try to get stairs that meet this height—or get as close as you possibly can without going higher than the bed.

At the end of the day, the purpose of pet stairs is to safely aid your pet in reaching a destination. If it takes an extra hour of your time to shop around for the perfect steps, it’s well worth the use your dog will receive from this item.

The effort you put into choosing the right set of pet stairs doesn’t have to feel like a burden; it could really be seen as an investment of sorts. To continuously reap the health benefits and sheer convenience that dog stairs offer, it’s wise to make sure that your purchase is well thought out and thoroughly researched. Luckily, technology has ensured that we are no longer limited to the wares offered in local retail shops—though that’s not to say that they should be excluded from your consideration altogether. There are pros and cons to both shopping experiences, which we’re going to discuss in this article.

Your Budget

The amount that you have to spend will ultimately determine where you make your dog stair purchase. Unless you have a pet furniture store in your hometown, you might be surprised that any pet stairs you run across in a local shop will probably cost a bit more than you were expecting to spend. This is because traditional retail stores–especially those that aren’t of the “chain” variety–can only afford to keep stock of the things that their local consumers purchase regularly. Unfortunately, pet stairs haven’t become quite that popular yet. Thank goodness for the Internet, which allows businesses to offer a niche product and still make money because their “local customer base” include every continent with Internet access. You can browse online and compare prices of several stores in minutes. Not bad!

Decisions, Decisions…

If you have a specific type of steps in mind for your dog–say you want a beech wood finish with handles and a storage compartment–you’re going to find that online stores are going to have much more to offer in the way of specialty items. If you’re lucky to find a local shop that offers a made-to-order service, that might also be an option for you–but likely an expensive one. Finding a website that specializes in large dog stairs or any other type you may be looking for is as easy as typing in a search query, or you can simply browse the many websites until something special catches your eye.

Assembly?

Assembling something–with or without instructions–is not a very fun process. Unfortunately, both online and traditional stores are more likely to sell their steps in an “assembly required” state. For local shops, it saves on warehouse and sales floor space if they don’t have a massive amount of pre-built steps lying around. For Internet-based businesses, it costs a great deal more in packaging and shipping to send a full-sized pet stair through the mail, so many online retailers also ship their pet steps flat-packed. Don’t feel as though you have to resign to the idea of spending hours on assembly for the sake of your pet. There are still online pet stair websites that ship their items pre-assembled, such as HelpYourPets.com, you just have to look around and even send an enquiry to see if it’s possible to have them built before shipment. One perk of ordering online and having the steps delivered, though is that home delivery means you can bypass having to load and unload the stairs from your car!

Budget, availability, and assembly requirements aren’t the only factors to keep in mind when searching for a pet stair supplier, but it’s definitely a start. Don’t be afraid to browse a bit before making your purchase—and good luck!

Choosing a set of dog stairs does require a certain amount of effort in making sure that the stairs will meet both yours and your dog’s needs. Some of your concerns might be that the stairs won’t be sturdy enough or that they will stick out like a sore thumb in your home. Hopefully by the end of this article your concerns will be soothed and you’ll be ready to shop around!

If you have already had a look around the Internet at dog stairs, you’ve probably noticed that the three main core materials available in dog stairs are plastic, metal, and wood. Let’s start this chat by addressing plastic steps. If you will have more than one use for your pet steps, such as moving them between a couch and a chair (that are the same height), as well as aiding your dog in and out of your car, then you might find the lightweight feature of plastic stairs a particular benefit. Just a bit of fair warning: most plastic steps require some sort of assembly, depending on the brand and type of steps, and they also usually come in a limited range of colors (tan). With plastic steps, you have to be particularly conscious of the weight restrictions; a smaller weight capacity is definitely a down side to most plastic stairs.

Our next material is metal. Metal steps are very sturdy and can hold a great deal of weight, making safe for pets of all sizes to use. Metal is still lightweight, but not so much as plastic steps—but at least you don’t sacrifice durability and sturdiness! Many metal dog stairs boast a collapsible feature, meaning it can fold in on itself to lay flat. This is great if you like to store it in your car or a small place when it’s not in use. If you have a need for flexibility in incline (adjustable height feature), you might want to consider a model that locks at several different inclines. This is especially handy if you want to use it for different cars. You’re probably wondering why I’ve mentioned cars twice. Well, metal steps are usually used for loading pets into cars—which is why they’re usually referred to as “pet loaders.” Sure, you can use them in your home, but they tend to add a “cold” feel to the room.

Last, and probably the most popular choice in pet stair material, is wood. Wood dog steps are extremely durable. They can hold an excessive amount of weight and they won’t easily be knocked over. Many come with padded steps to prevent your pet from slipping and to add just a touch of comfort to his movements. They also come in a variety of colored wood and carpeted finish. The color range of carpeting is vast, so no matter what your décor requires, there’s a color to suit it!

Now that you’re aware of the different types of pet stairs, your luck in choosing the best stairs for your pet should be a little smoother. Good luck and happy shopping!

Have you purchased a set of pet stairs for your dog, or are you considering doing so? You should know that you can get much more out of your steps than simply a means to help your dog safely access your furniture. We’re going to talk about just a few of the things we use our pet stairs for on a daily basis.

Dog stairs are most often used to assist your pet on and off of furniture such as beds, chairs, and couches. Did you also know that there are portable pet steps available? These come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials to accommodate all breeds of dog. Some portable pet steps are made of an ultra durable yet lightweight foam capable of holding up to 300lbs, depending on the brand/supplier. Not only can these steps be used in your home, but you can also take them outside to help your pet get on and off of a raised porch or to an SUV or tuck. There are pet steps specifically designed for loading your pet into a vehicle. They can be made of lightweight metal or plastic and vary in height to accommodate most vehicle heights.

Aside from portable pet steps, there are many uses for your standard indoor steps, too! If you have a shorter breed of dog, try pushing the steps up against one of your windows. This is a great way for your dog to satisfy his nosiness at what’s going on outside. Find out the maximum weight limit on your steps. If they will hold you, you can use them for all sorts of chores around the house! I’m fairly short, so I’ve received tons of use out of my dog’s steps, including getting stuff on and off the top of the refrigerator, changing light bulbs, and giving my daughter a boost to the sink. If your pet stairs have a storage area, make good use of it! You can store pet toys and treats or any number of odds and ends! Don’t be afraid to get the most out of your steps!

For durable cat and dog steps, visit the Help Your Pets website.

Have you noticed that your dog struggles from time to time when it comes to jumping up onto the couch, chair, or bed? This could point to physical issues that need to be addressed.

When you allow your dog to jump to and from any surface that is greater than 12 inches from the ground, he can sustain serious injury. A foot of height doesn’t really seem like a lot, but it’s enough to cause a broken limb if your dog falls, or longer-lasting problems over time.

While small and large dogs are at a particular risk of sustaining bone or joint injury, any size or breed of dog is susceptible to harm through a fall or as a result of prolonged impact over time. Large dogs, like Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, and Labradors, are inclined to developing arthritis later in life, and condoning a large dog to jump onto and off of furniture everyday could cause arthritis to crop up earlier in the dog’s life. As for small dogs, they are more likely to break a bone in a fall or by attempting to leap down from too great a height.

While you could prohibit your pet from getting onto the furniture, this is a drastic measure. It’s natural for a dog to want to be near his owner, and if you don’t mind having him on the furniture, it’s best not to change his routine. The best way to preserve your dog’s health is to obtain a set of pet stairs that will allow him to safety navigate onto and off of furniture.

Carpeted pet steps are very popular as they not only provide cushioning for impact, but they also offer a non-slip surface. Most pet stairs can be categorized into three sizes: small, medium, and large. There are two things that you must consider when purchasing pet steps. The first is the height of the object you want your dog to get onto. For instance, if your primary use for the steps will be to allow your dog to get onto the couch, you will need to make sure that the set of stairs you purchase is tall enough to reach your couch. The second item to consider is the size of your dog. You can follow the guide below to determine what size of steps would be appropriate for your pet.

Small dogs = steps no wider than 12 inches

Medium dogs = 14 inch-wide steps

Large dogs = steps at least 16 inches wide

For more information about choosing and purchasing a set of pet steps, please visit Help Your Pets – Here.

If you haven’t bought your dog a sturdy set of pet stairs, you should seriously consider doing so. Dog stairs not only help your pooch get where he needs to go (be it the sofa or the bed), but it also helps to save his joints and the tissues around them from becoming damaged from the daily impact of leaps and descends. Dog steps come in a variety of heights and sizes, but you must make sure that the steps you choose aren’t too tall or too short as this could cause him to trip.

Some dogs may not take to using pet stairs straight away. This is not uncommon an uncommon occurrence, especially if the dog is older. All it takes is a little effort on your part to show your dog (in a way that he can understand) that using the stairs is worthwhile to him.

We’ve always had the best results when using our dog’s favourite treat as encouragement to use the stairs. For our bedside pet steps, I would sit on the bed in front of the steps dangling our pup’s favourite biscuit. At first he would try to go around the stairs to jump on the bed. When this happened, I hid the treat behind my back and gave my dog a firm “No!” After a few attempts (and many acts of re-positioning my dog in front of the steps), my dog finally understood that he would receive praise and a treat when he used the stairs. It didn’t take him long to learn to use the stairs on a regular basis.

We’ve also heard of dog owners who have denied their dog access to the bed unless the dog steps were used. This was done by either verbally dismissing the dog from the bed or bodily removing him from the bed onto the floor in front of the steps. This tactic is quite successful, as is high praise. Anytime your dog uses the stairs to get onto the furniture, make a big deal about it. Give him a cheery “good boy!” or any other phrase of praise you commonly use. This not only lets him know that you prefer for him to use the stairs, but also that it pleases you—and that’s what dogs want to do!

For information about getting your dog a set of pet stairs, visit Help Your Pets.

Dog steps are extremely useful when a dog is constantly going up or down on something. The steps are just like our own in the sense that they provide us to go up and downstairs. The steps eliminate dogs having to over exert themselves by jumping off of things that may seem too high or to dangerous to make it down from.

The dog steps were first made to help adult dogs that suffer from bad backs, or hip malformations. Now, the dog steps have become so popular that people are beginning to purchase them for animals of all ages. The dog steps are now being used as a prevention mechanism to stop anything from hurting the dog. Constant jumping up and down is bad for dog’s backs and can cause them to lose feeling in their backs at a very young age. These steps are a god-send to animal lovers who want their animals to be comfortable wherever they may be.

You can purchase the steps in any kind of style that you want. There are traditional wooden steps, steps that have carpets, or even steep steps. The choice is yours in what you believe would be more beneficial to your dog. My personal agenda on the matter, I would choose the regular steps. My reason behind that is because my dogs are still young and they really don’t require much help climbing anything.

With everything good, there is always a downside. These steps are known to cost a pretty decent penny. Your basic dog steps can cost anywhere around $150.00-$200.00 depending of course upon where you purchase them. If you simply do not have the funds to purchase the step and your good with your hands. One thing you may consider is making the steps for your good pet. To make the steps the materials would end up running you around $35.00 which is a lot cheaper and more heartfelt then just simply buying the steps.

So, you have decided to build your own dog steps. That is a great alternative! Not only does making your steps save you money but it allows you to put more pride in what you’re doing for your best friend. You’re going to need someone who is a well renowned carpenter to help you. Make sure you pick up about 3 2×4 pieces of wood, some cushion to line on the stairs and some carpet or material to cover over everything. The best part is the material; these are going to be your dog’s best friend so get creative if you want to. Remember a dog is like your child you want them to be happy to receive the gift.

Make sure that you let any small children know that the dog stairs are not a toy for them. They are for the dog to use to climb so they don’t hurt themselves. Remember the stairs are made from wood and could injure a little child. So, please keep an eye on your children when you have dog stairs in the home.

The concept of the pet stairs may be difficult for older dogs to grasp. They may need to be trained on how to use the stairs. So, if you find your dog still jumping up and down on your bed or couch, do not get mad at them. They have naturally developed a habit to do so. You need to train them that the new stairs do belong to them and how they need to use them.

Dog transport are a great invention. They ensure your animal is safe and prevent accidents from happening. Every dog lover should have dog stairs!

You always love to bring your pet when you travel. You have many places to travel with him but he has to have the proper tools for him to be ready for it. One of these tools is the pet ramp which any dog owner should not leave without. Why? This tool is ultra useful for your pet when he gets off your boat, couch, or climb up on your bed from your tile floor, especially for your little Chihuahua or your trusted Labrador. You will be protecting your great pets from injuries with this tool.

Pets are advised against jumping off or toward any elevated surface especially for heights that are too much for their size, built, and weight. Any pet that has long spine and short legs are susceptible to joint and spine injuries when they are made to jump from heights. Fat pets are even more in danger. That’s how a pet ramp becomes a required preventive tool for your pet’s protection.

Some dog stairs are intended for domesticated pets. Most of the pet ramps sold in the market have fixed structures that are intended only for certain heights. If your pet goes to many places with you, you better choose the multi-purpose one, which is expandable and can be used for greater heights. Pet ramps are a great tool for your old, arthritic, and sick pets.

Those pet ramps that have foam covers or cushioned covers are intended for house pets like cats. Cats love to watch from your windows and curl up in your sofa. That’s how significant it is to choose a pet ramp that is light and handy which you can easily carry from one place to another. It would be better to look for one that has a durable cover to prevent scratching your favorite furniture.
Ramps can either be made of plastic or aluminum and some of them are folding or telescoping. There are some of types of ramps that can easily be folded and stored or used as half ramps for the pool. These ramps are made of high quality material that can hold enough weight for pets up to 200 lbs heavy. Pet ramps are meant to save lives of pets if they accidentally fell off the pool.

No matter what ramp you choose make sure that both edges are steadily attached which will prevent movement or slippage that are major causes of injuries. Sometimes you need to support it with your foot for your pet to be able to cross the ramp. There may be times when nonskid pads should be used for vinyl and tiled floors.

Knowing how important is a pet ramp for your pet’s health, you should train him to learn using it at an early age.