{"id":2483,"date":"2026-07-06T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/artikkelit\/dog-stairs-for-the-car-or-bed-a-guide-from-an-expert\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T06:00:00","slug":"dog-stairs-for-the-car-or-bed-a-guide-from-an-expert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/artikkelit\/dog-stairs-for-the-car-or-bed-a-guide-from-an-expert\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog stairs for the car or bed \u2013 A guide from an expert"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Dirty paw prints on the back seat and an eager nose poking your cheek. Does that sound familiar? Jumping into the car is the highlight of the day for many dogs. But what happens when that jump becomes laborious or even painful? Here at Tassu &amp; Tassu pet hotel, we see daily how age, size, or illness affects a dog&#8217;s mobility. A simple aid, such as <strong>dog stairs<\/strong>, has been proven to improve a pet&#8217;s quality of life and prevent injuries.<\/p>\n<p>Many owners think of stairs as aids only for senior dogs, but that is a misconception. From our experience, they are an excellent investment in a dog&#8217;s health at any stage of life.<\/p>\n<h2>Why does a dog need help jumping?<\/h2>\n<p>Jumping, especially from a height, always puts stress on a dog&#8217;s joints and spine. Even if a young and healthy dog shows no symptoms, years of strain can predispose them to arthritis and other musculoskeletal issues later in life. In certain situations, aids are not just recommended but essential.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Situations where dog stairs are a great help:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Senior dogs:<\/strong> The joints of an aging dog are often stiff and painful. Arthritis is a common issue, and jumping exacerbates the pain. With stairs, seniors can still join the family on the sofa or in the car without discomfort.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Small dog breeds:<\/strong> For a small dog, such as a chihuahua or Yorkshire terrier, jumping onto a high bed is a huge effort. Stairs reduce the risk of injury and strain.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Specific breeds:<\/strong> Long-backed breeds, such as dachshunds and corgis, are prone to intervertebral disc disease. Every jump, especially downwards, poses a risk to their back. Using stairs is an easy way to prevent serious back injuries.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Recovering dogs:<\/strong> For a dog recovering from surgery or injury, it is crucial to avoid unnecessary strain. Vets often prohibit jumping altogether, making stairs or a ramp an invaluable aid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>At Tassu &amp; Tassu, we welcome a variety of dogs, including those with special needs and those recovering from surgery. Our trained animal caregivers ensure that every dog&#8217;s movement is safe and pain-free \u2013 using aids when necessary.<\/p>\n<h2>Dog stairs or ramp \u2013 which is better?<\/h2>\n<p>Both stairs and ramps serve the same purpose, but their suitability depends on the dog and the intended use. There is no definitive answer, but there are clear rules of thumb.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th align=\"left\">Feature<\/th>\n<th align=\"left\">Dog stairs<\/th>\n<th align=\"left\">Dog ramp<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>Best suited for<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">Dogs that know how to navigate stairs.<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">Dogs with severe arthritis or those unable to lift their legs.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>Use case<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">Indoors (bed, sofa), where they take up less space.<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">Especially for cars, but also suitable indoors. Provides a gradual ascent.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>Challenges<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">The height of the step can be a challenge for some dogs.<\/td>\n<td align=\"left\">Requires more space in length. A steep ramp can be slippery.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>From our experience, most dogs learn to use stairs quickly. A ramp, on the other hand, is often the best choice for cars and is an excellent aid for dogs that already have significant mobility issues.<\/p>\n<h2>How to choose the right dog stairs?<\/h2>\n<p>There is a vast selection of stairs on the market, and choosing the right type can seem daunting. The most important thing is to focus on safety and suitability for your dog, rather than matching the colour to your decor.<\/p>\n<h3>Material and stability<\/h3>\n<p>Cheap and lightweight plastic stairs may be tempting, but their stability is often questionable. If the stairs wobble under the dog, they are unlikely to use them again. Stability is paramount. Wood and high-quality, thick plastic are sturdy materials. There are also stairs made from dense foam that are lightweight yet stable for small and medium-sized dogs.<\/p>\n<h3>Step height and depth<\/h3>\n<p>This is where the most common mistake occurs: buying stairs with steps that are too high or narrow for the dog. The step should be low enough to make ascent easy and not require significant effort. It should also be deep enough for the dog&#8217;s entire paw to fit comfortably. Match the stairs to your dog&#8217;s size: a good rule of thumb is that the steps should be noticeably lower than the dog&#8217;s chest.<\/p>\n<h3>Non-slip features<\/h3>\n<p>Ensure that the steps have a non-slip surface, such as rubber matting or rough fabric. Smooth plastic or varnished wood can be slippery and dangerous. The bottom of the stairs should also have rubber feet or another non-slip feature to prevent them from sliding out from under the dog when they step on them.<\/p>\n<h2>Teaching a dog to use stairs<\/h2>\n<p>Few dogs understand immediately what they are supposed to do with new stairs. Teaching requires patience and positive reinforcement.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Place the stairs in front of a low surface<\/strong>, such as a sofa that the dog wants to reach.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Encourage the dog with treats<\/strong> to explore the stairs. Praise and reward them just for sniffing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Place a treat on the first step.<\/strong> When the dog steps onto it, praise and reward them.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Repeat this step by step<\/strong> until the dog can navigate the stairs up and down naturally.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Never force or push the dog.<\/strong> The dog must understand the concept of the stairs on their own and learn to trust them.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>At Tassu &amp; Tassu, every pet is an individual. Our trained animal caregivers are skilled at addressing special needs, whether related to diet, medication, or mobility support. A safe and comfortable environment is our honour.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you are planning a holiday or need reliable daycare for your dog, we will take care of your furry family member. We are located in Helsinki with excellent transport links, right near the Raide-Jokeri route and close to the train station, making drop-off easy. Explore our services and easily book a care session online.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/ajanvaraus\/\">Book an appointment<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/yhteystiedot\/\">get in touch<\/a>, and we will be happy to tell you more!<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Can you force a dog to use stairs?<\/h3>\n<p>Never. Forcing causes fear and distrust in the dog towards both the stairs and you. Allow the dog to explore the stairs at their own pace and make it a positive experience with treats and praise. Patience will be rewarded. If the dog is particularly timid, the learning process may take several days.<\/p>\n<h3>At what age should a dog be given stairs?<\/h3>\n<p>Prevention is the best medicine. Stairs should be acquired as soon as you notice the dog hesitating to jump or if it is a breed prone to back or joint issues. Owners of small breeds and long-backed dogs should consider stairs from a young age to save their joints and spine from unnecessary strain throughout their lives.<\/p>\n<h3>Are dog stairs suitable for cats as well?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, absolutely. Aging or arthritic cats also benefit from stairs. They help the cat reach their favourite spot on the windowsill or bed without pain. The selection criteria are the same as for dogs: stability and suitable step height are the most important. Many cats quickly adapt to using stairs.<\/p>\n<h3>How do I clean dog stairs?<\/h3>\n<p>The cleaning method depends on the material. Plastic stairs can be easily wiped down with a damp cloth and mild detergent. If the stairs have a removable fabric cover, it can often be machine washed according to the manufacturer&#8217;s instructions. Regular cleaning is important for hygiene, especially if the stairs get dirty from muddy or sandy paws.<\/p>\n<h3>How high should stairs be for a bed?<\/h3>\n<p>Measure the height from the floor to the top of the mattress. Choose stairs that reach just to the level of the mattress or slightly below it. Stairs that are too low force the dog to jump the last distance, negating their benefit. Conversely, stairs that are too high can be difficult and dangerous to descend.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dirty paw prints on the back seat and an eager nose poking your cheek. Does that sound familiar? Jumping into the car is the highlight of the day for many dogs. But what happens when that jump becomes laborious or even painful? Here at Tassu &amp; Tassu pet hotel, we see daily how age, size, [&hellip;]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_rankly_meta_title":"","_rankly_meta_description":"","_rankly_focus_keyword":"","_rankly_exclude_from_archive":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-en-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2483"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2483\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tassut.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}