If you’re concerned about how your dog is getting in and out of your vehicle, you need one of our best dog ramps for cars' top picks. Hopping through the boot or up into the back seat can put a strain on your four-legged friend’s joint so to make sure they’re getting where they need to be safely, this may be a dog travel accessory you’ll want to invest in.
The best dog ramps are designed to give pooches of all ages and sizes a gentle and secure pathway into a vehicle so they can then be safely secured in their dog car seat until you both reach your destination. They can also be used around your home to help them get onto sofas and beds, or anywhere else they may require a helping hand to get where they want to be. While all dogs can use them, they’re particularly useful for those hounds who have back or leg injuries or are prone to developing them as it’ll take the strain off those more delicate areas of their bodies. They’re also extremely beneficial for older dogs that aren’t as nimble on their paws as they once were.
Best dog ramps for cars at a glance:
• Best overall: dibea lionto Dog Ramp – view on Amazon UK
• Best for large dogs: PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping Dog Ramp – view on Amazon UK
• Best for senior dogs: Pet Gear Light Bi-fold Pet Ramp – view on Pets at Home
If you’ve got a large or heavy dog, both you and your mutt will benefit from having a dog ramp. Both large and heavy hounds may struggle to jump into the car themselves to get to their travel dog crate and may require you to carry them in. However, manoeuvring a large or heavy dog isn’t the easiest thing to do and you could cause yourself an injury when trying to lift them.
Whether you’re nipping to the vet or embarking on an adventure, to keep your hound safe and sound while getting in and out of your car, you need a ramp to help them. That’s why we’ve rounded up all the best dog ramps for cars, so you can get your travels off to a stress-free start.
Best dog ramps for cars
Best overall
AmazonSuitable for dogs and other animals up to a maximum weight of 90kg, the dibea lionto Dog Ramp will offer your pooch a practical entry and exit out of any vehicle. It has an anti-slip coating for your hound's paws and nails to grip onto, so it'll prevent them from slipping and protect their joints at the same time.
Customer review: "The ramp is very sturdy with excellent grip for my dogs. When it's folded for storage it's not too big & it is quite light to handle. Both my dogs used the ramp straight away & it makes life a breeze getting them in & out of my van. For the money I think it is very good value & I would highly recommend this product for anybody looking for a ramp for their dogs."
Pros
- Anti-slip coating
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it may be better for cars that are lower down as high-up cars left the ramp incline to be too steep
| Dimensions: | 156 x 40 x 9cm |
| Max weight limit: | 90kg |
Best for large dogs
AmazonFor those with larger and more heavy breeds, you'll be on the hunt for a dog car ramp that will be able to offer ample support to your big boy or girl. This PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping Dog Ramp will be more than capable of the job as it's made from tough and strong aluminium material and supports dogs weighing up to 180kg.
Customer review: "Bought it get my dog in & out of my SUV after his cruciate ligament operation. Easy to handle, light enough for me to carry, doesn’t slip off the car boot & plenty long enough for using on an SUV without it being too steep. Perfect"
Pros
- Made from a tough material
- High traction surface
- Adjustable sizing to suit many vehicle types
Cons
- At 6kg, it's a little bit weighty compared to others
| Dimensions: | 99-183 x 43 x 10 cm |
| Maximum weight limit: | 180kg |
Best for senior dogs
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
As our hounds get older, they're not as nimble on their paws as they once were. The Pet Gear Light Bi-fold Pet Ramp is designed to keep dogs secure and comfortable, with a skid-resistant tread to keep your pet steady and rubber grippers at the bottom to maintain its position on your car, so it's ideal for those senior pooches that need to take extra care of their joints.
Customer review: "My collie had to have surgery on a slipped disc in her neck, she already suffers from arthritis and I ordered this ramp so she could get into the car for going to the vet to have her staples removed and will continue to use it to make it easier for her to get in and out of the car (also works for getting on or off the sofa too!) I have a van-based car with a low boot and while this ramp is ideal for this car (boot height 18 inches from floor) I DO NOT think this would be at all suitable for cars with a higher boot so any higher I would opt for the longer ramp. For my car though this is ideal. We found it difficult to get Fly in from a standing start, but it was a lot easier to get her up the ramp by getting her moving a bit so she was already walking before going up (it may have helped that she used to do agility and was used to doing the A-frame and things like that). It is light and easy to carry and easy enough to store in the car, feels very sturdy when Fly is going up and down it. She weighs 18-19kgs and I certainly think it would be fine for a heavier dog"
Pros
- Skid-resistant even when wet
- Rubber grippers to maintain its position
- Folds in half and has a carry handle for easy transportation and storage
Cons
- One reviewer felt it would be better suited for cars with a low boot as the incline would be too much on cars with a boot that is higher up
| Dimensions: | 106.7 x 40.6 x 10.2cm |
| Maximum weight limit: | 90.7kg |
Best for easy storage
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Next up on our list is another option from the brand Pet Gear, the Trifold Travel Dog Ramp. Just like the Bi-fold we've featured above, it's got skid-resistant tread and rubber grips at the bottom but the main difference is when it comes to storage. As the name suggests, it folds into three to reduce the amount of space it takes up in your boot.
Customer review: "Our 10 yr old Collie has been very willing to use this - we have had bad experiences with another ramp (although this was partly due to dog behavioural problems). The ramp opens easily and quietly and fits comfortably within both or cars. For us it has solved a problem and our dog is able to travel more easily in the car."
Pros
- Skid-resistant tread
- Hooks to attach to the boot
- Easy storage
Cons
- Width and depth dimensions are not clear
| Dimensions | 177.8cm length |
| Maximum weight limit: | 80kg |
Best for anxious dogs
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
Available in both mini and standard sizing, you can choose the option that best suits your dog with the Gen7 Natural-Step Dog and Cat Ramp. If they are anxious about using a ramp, this may be a good option for them as it's designed to look like it's covered in grass to give it that more familiar feel to your pooch. It's lightweight plus easy to open and fold away again.
Customer review: "I have a 120Lbs German Shepard who is comfortable with this ramp. The ramp is good quality and is relatively easy to set p and take down and store for travel."
Pros
- Available in two sizes
- Looks like its covered in grass
- Soft rubber grip for easy carrying and manoeuvring
Cons
- Maximum weight limit is unknown so we don't know how suitable this will be for heavy dogs
| Dimensions: | 105 x 43 x 4.8cm (mini), 182.88 x 40.64 x 3.81cm (standard) |
| Maximum weight limit: | Unknown |
Best for small dogs
B&Qwww.diy.com
Looking for a ramp for a little pup or smaller breeds to use? Take a look at this KCT Folding Dog Ramp. The ramp features a textured surface that helps with grip and safety, so it's ideal for smaller animals or those who have issues with mobility to get to those harder-to-reach places. At under £50, it’s a great choice for those looking for a more budget option.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Bi-folding mechanism and locking latch for storage purposes
- Non-slip texture
Cons
- No customer review
| Dimensions: | 156 x 40 x 9cm |
| Maximum weight limit: | 75kg |
Best for sturdiness
AmazonLastly, we have the gardhom Dog Car Ramp finishing up our list of the best dog ramps for cars. It’s made using strong aluminium, which, despite its strength, is actually lightweight and rustproof too and comes complete with an anti-slip surface so it ticks all the boxes for being sturdy and safe. To make it easy to transport and store, it folds in two and features a carrying handle for convenience.
Customer review: "Have been using over a week for our giant breed dog - easy to open & close and our dog, with some training, is getting the hang of it."
Pros
- Supports up to 180kg load capacity
- Anti-slip surface
- Four lengths available
Cons
- Some reviewers had difficulty folding the ramp
| Dimensions: | 122 x 38 x 3.2cm, 153 x 38 x 3.2cm, 183 x 38 x 3.2cm, 213.5 x 38 x 3.2cm |
| Maximum weight limit: | 180kg |
Best dog ramps FAQs
Are dog ramps any good?
Dog ramps are extremely beneficial for helping dogs get in and out of cars, especially large and senior mutts, as well as hounds with injuries or breeds prone to leg and back problems. Here are just some of the reasons why dog ramps are good for cars:
Easy access
If you have a small dog or pooch that has mobility issues, dog ramps will save them the pain and difficulty of trying to jump up into the boot or back seat. Using a dog ramp to help your pooch get in and out of your vehicle will provide them with a small incline that will be a lot more gentle on their joints.
Prevents injuries
Jumping in and out of the car can put stress on your dog's joints and bones, too. This will potentially lead to much more serious injuries and illnesses, especially in older hounds or breeds that are prone to joint problems. Using a ramp to access your car will reduce the impact on their joints and lowers the risk of injuries.
Convenience
If your floof is particularly big or heavy, it can be quite a workout carrying them into the car. Dog ramps eliminate the need to lift them in and will save your back from strain.
Reduces anxiety
A dog ramp will provide your dog with a stable and familiar pathway, which can help to ease the anxiety of car travel if they have a problem getting in and out.
Versatility
Not only can dog ramps be used for cars, trucks and vans, but they're also handy for helping your hound get up the stairs, onto sofas or any other elevated surfaces around the home. This makes them a great multipurpose product for your pets.
How do you get a dog to use a ramp?
Some dogs can be stubborn and even a little scared to use a ramp to get into the car and will still try and jump in themselves, or insist to be carried in. You just need to give them a little encouragement to use the ramp in the first place.
When you first place the ramp on your car, allow your dog to have the time to sniff and inspect it in their own time. Some dogs will be keen to use it from the get-go, but some will understandably be a little anxious about this new addition, so you don't want to force them to use it if they're unsure.
You will want to start encouraging them to go up the ramp by using treats to lure them up and plenty of praise as they're doing it. If that doesn't seem to do the trick for them to do it on their own, you can attach their lead and gently walk them up and down the ramp. However, you shouldn't force them or drag them onto the ramp as that will end up causing more distress to your hound. Once they're up where they need to be, you can safely buckle them into their dog car seat belt or other safety restraint and you'll be ready to head off on adventures together
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.