Pet Lovers

[drizzellla]

Our dog has Lyme disease and it affected his hind legs. He is a 75 pound collie.

As he gets older he is having trouble "hopping" into my husband's SUV. So we are looking to buy a ramp. But then I also found steps. 

When my husband bought the SUV he had it specially ordered so that there was a bench seat for the dog instead of captain seats. So the dog uses the bench seat and enters the vehicle by the side door.

It seems most ramps are made to enter the vehicle at the back. I found ramps and steps that can be used with the side door.

Which do you think would be easier for the dog to handle? A ramp? steps? Would appreciate your input.

[Eileen in Virginia]

Thinking along human lines, I'd go with the ramp. My older friends who have mobility issues can negotiate a ramp much more easily than steps. Where would you get it? Would they let you try both (even in the parking lot) before making a decision? Good luck!

[LindaSal]

We had a cat with arthritis and bought the steps for him to get on the bed.   Maybe with the size/ weight of your dog a ramp type may be easier for him.   Poor babies, so hard to watch them have difficulty.    I would ask the Vet their opinion and they can recommend the best one to purchase.  Best wishes

[pigletsmom]

Definitely a ramp. Steps can be ok for now but will get harder down the road.

[Estates]

My friend gave me her steps  she bought for her bassett hound.He seemed to do better with the ramp. I use it for my 15 yr old cat who had trouble getting up on the bed. Poor guy would fling himself on the bed and pull himself up from there.He loves his steps now. I also put some steps on the side of the couch for him.  HTH

[Still Raining]

Another vote for a ramp, with a shallow slope.

Old guys still LOVE to be out and about.  Kisses.

[Pook]

@drizzellla  I would say a ramp but I have found with my dogs through the years that they would not go near either steps or ramps.  You probably will need to condition your dog by putting treats on the ramp over and over until he gets used to stepping on it - gradually putting them higher and higher until he walks up to get a treat on the seat.  It can be a slow process.

[Peaches McPhee]

A long time ago, I'd need to drive through the local park to get to work.  Very often, there would be an elderly man with his elderly dog.  The man had rigged up a step for the dog to get in/out of the car. Warmed my heart every morning.  

[Mz iMac]

I would think a 75 pounder would do better w/a ramp than steps/stairs.

[on the bay]

I think you may just have to try and see.

For me, going up a ramp is harder than steps.

For my 19 1/2 year old cat, she did really well on an ottoman placed slightly under a chair and then the bed. They were both a wide enough surface that she could land and rest on each and the security of being placed together.