What are the materials used to construct dog stairs?
Wood, plastic, and metal are all available for dog stairs. Consider whether you’ll be moving the stairs from one location to another or leaving them in one position when selecting which is best for you and your pet.
Plastic units are typically lightweight and easier to transport. Toy and tiny dog breeds should use lighter plastic stairs, as they will not last under the weight of large dogs. However, some manufacturers produce heavier polypropylene staircases that can withstand medium-sized breeds.
The best way to get metal and wood is to buy them as fixed elements. For large, hefty breeds, wood and metal staircases are both durable and long-lasting solutions.
What should I consider while choosing the right dog stair?
The angle of the dog stair’s climb should be between 18 and 25 degrees. An incline angle of 18 to 20 degrees is required for small dog breeds. An incline angle of 22 to 25 degrees is required for medium-sized dog breeds. These angles may appear steep, but dogs have a low center of gravity because they are quadrupeds. As a result, they are capable of climbing higher inclines than a human in a wheelchair.
For a bed or couch with a vertical height of 14 to 16 inches, a 3 foot long dog stair will be required to achieve the proper incline angle. A dog stair length of 5 to 6 feet is required to load your pet into a car that is 24-30 inches height.
Determine the proper width based on your dog’s size. Make sure it’s bigger than their shoulder and hips’ widest measurements. Small breeds benefit from narrow dog stairs, whereas medium to big breeds benefit from wide ramps. Toy and small breed dogs require a dog stair width of 11-12 inches, while medium sized dogs require a dog stair width of 22-24 inches.
