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style="float:none; /*width:635px;*/">Why You Should Buy a Dog Ramp for Car Travel

Many people enjoy taking their four legged friend for a ride in the car, but as your dog ages, getting in and out of your vehicle will not continue to be so easy for your pet. Buying a dog ramp for car rides can really help your dog out by making entry to your car much easier, and exiting your car will be a lot easier, too. A ramp can also be used for when you and your dog will be out and about in a truck or SUV, instead of a car. Dog ramps are versatile, and unlike ramps for people, most models are either collapsible, fold down, or are made so that one part slides into another part, making them very portable. When you arrive at your destination, your dog can get out of your car as easily as he got into it.

There are many reasons to purchase a ramp that will help your dog enter and exit your vehicle more easily than jumping in and out than just old age. Younger dogs can benefit from using a ramp, too. Ramps aren’t only for older dogs. Your dog may be pregnant, or she may have puppies who can’t jump in with their mother. She would be a great teacher to them, and you would not have to teach them yourself when they are older later. This would be something that you could explain to prospective future owners of the puppies, as well. Your dog may be overweight and unable to jump, even onto the couch, let alone able to jump high enough to get into a vehicle. It’s also possible your dog could have ongoing health problems such as weak joints, or have an injury that is temporary but completely prevents them from being able to walk well, and eliminates jumping completely, such s a broken bone.

Many dogs are skittish about using a ramp their first time, and sometimes even their second or third, so using a leash while your dog is still new to using your ramp. Letting your dog get used to the ramp can be done several different ways. You might have a friend who has a (friendly) dog that can show your dog how to do it. You can have one of the kids show the dog, also, if another dog that your dog does not get along with is available. If your dog is well trained to the leash, you can also try walking your dog ‘up’ the ramp while it is lying on the ground. Raising it slightly with boards or bricks a bit at a time can also be helpful, as long as it is sturdy. If it’s not sturdy and frightens your dog, you might have to start all over after waiting a few days or even weeks.

It’s also a good idea to make sure when you are considering which dog ramp for your car, truck or SUV to buy, that the incline (the rise or steepness) of the ramp you purchase is not going to be too high for your dog. You need to consider how high your vehicle’s bumper is, and how long the ramp is. The taller your bumper, the steeper the ramp. Using a ramp that is too high may cause your dog to refuse to use it, or worse, be the cause of injuries to your dog. The ramp should also be able to hold your dog without sagging in the middle. The longer the ramp, the stronger it should be, particularly with heavier dogs. Because they can just be picked up and placed in the vehicle, smaller dogs don’t really require a ramp to enter your vehicle. One exception to this would be if you have a disability yourself and cannot pick your dog or puppy up yourself.

Ramps should also be wide enough to allow for your dog to have some wiggle room on both sides. This extra room will prevent falls in case of your dog going too far to the right or to the left, and if you have two dogs, will allow them to not push each other off the ramp as easily as would be possible in a narrower ramp.

Check prospective ramps to see what kind of traction they will give your dog. Traction on a ramp is extremely important. Without a decent level of traction on the ramp you choose, your dog won’t be able to reach your vehicle, and could be seriously hurt from slipping and falling on, and possibly, off, the ramp. The best types of traction surfaces are going to be those with smaller indentations in the surface, creating the tread. Too deep and your dog’s toe nails can become temporarily stuck. Too shallow and heavier dogs won’t be able to easily walk up and down the ramp.

There is no ramp available that is suitable for all dogs and all makes and models of vehicles. Steepness, as a result of the ramp’s length coupled with your vehicle’s bumper height, width of the ramp and your dog’s size, the ramp’s strength and your dog’s weight, and traction given to your dog while on the ramp are all aspects you should consider when choosing a dog ramp for car or other vehicle use.