Drop a Little About Your Pet

Posts Tagged ‘steps’

Keeping your dog from self injury is a very high priority for any pet owner. But did you know that your dog could be developing bone or joint issues already? Conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia could be prevented by incorporating the use of dog stairs into his daily routine.

If your dog regularly jumps onto and off of furniture (even if it isn’t very far off the ground), his ankles, knees, hips, and spine are absorbing the shock that occurs when he lands. Using pet steps will keep him from having to exert any unnecessary pressure onto his body.

One thing that should be taken into consideration is where the steps will be placed. If you’re looking to buy dog steps for beds, you’ll want to measure the entire height of your bed (not just the mattresses) and find a set of steps that will reach the full height of the bed. This will ensure that your dog doesn’t trip or slip while stepping onto the bed. Another perk is that you won’t feel your dog jump onto the bed while you’re sleeping!

A very important factor to keep in mind when choosing steps is how wide the steps should be in relation to the size and weight of your dog. A dog weighing less than 20 pounds should use small dog steps that are 12 inches wide. If your dog is over 30 pounds, he will need large dog steps measuring about 16 inches wide. Medium-sized dogs, between 20 and 30 pounds should do well with steps that are 14 inches in width.

There are several different materials you can choose from, as well. The most common finish being carpeted, as it enables your dog to get a good grip as he ascends and descends the steps. You can also get wooden stairs in various shades, and even molding!