Remember, Safety First with DIY Ramps for Cats and Dogs

Penny is a new Tripawd cat, but her people already have the Tripawd lifestyle down good. They built a ramp for their three-legged feline, to help her get on the bed. Penny’s people know that it pays to remember safety first, and now you can practice it too with these great ideas to make DIY ramps for cats and dogs.

DIY Ramps for Cats and Dogs are Fast and Easy

Life on three legs has some challenges. One of the biggest things new Tripawd parents need to figure out is how to help their dog or cat get up into the spots they love most, like furniture. With one less leg it’s in their best interest if they do not get up or go down the same way as before amputation.

When an animal is missing a rear leg, jumping up is difficult since dogs and cats naturally use both rear legs for propulsion to move forward and up. With one less leg, that’s half the jet power they’re used to! And when an animal is missing a front leg, jumping down poses another serious risk: long-term joint damage to their front “wrist” or carpal joint. Either way, a Tripawd should have help going up and down from their favorite places.

And Tripawd cat parents remember: even four legged felines don’t always land on their feet. Did you know that cats who fall from shorter distances are more likely to suffer injuries than cats who fall from high rise buildings? A cat needs enough time to right themselves so they safely land. When they fall from short distances, here’s what happens:

You can buy pre-made pet ramps and pet stairs or if you’re crafty, you can make your own DIY ramps for cats and dogs. Like anything in life, if you search YouTube you’ll find out how to do it. We did, and here are two helpful videos we located for you:

This Indoor Cat Ramp is So Easy to Make, Even a Teenager Can Do It!

And for indoor/outdoor cats, this adorable video shows how to make an outdoor ramp for kitties living on the second floor.

And here’s a sweet video about a ramp built just for this crafty man’s senior gal, Hannah.

Don’t want to watch a video? Check out the blogger of My Repurposed Life. She has some wonderful tips on DIY Indoor Pet Ramps using reclaimed materials like cabinet doors.

If you just don’t have the time to go the DIY route, these stairs for dogs and cats get great reviews on Amazon. And yep, these are affiliate links and the Tripawds Nation is partly supported by your Amazon purchases.

Pet Gear Easy Step II Extra Wide Pet Stairs, 2-step/for cats and dogs up to 200-pounds

New Cat Condos 110223-Brown Wood Constructed Large Pet Stairs for Cats and Dogs

Of course, training a Tripawd to use a ramp is another project! Here’s a previous Tripawds Gear Blog post to help:

Three Tripawd Tips for Pet Steps and Ramp Training Success