Give Your Pets The Freedom Of Mobility With Pet Steps

Pet owners know that their dogs and cats have special mobility needs. That’s why dog stairs and cat furniture were invented!

Why get dog stairs? Think of the exploding popularity of toy-sized dogs. They’re adorable, but their size is a drawback when it comes to getting up to places to be with their people: chairs, couches, window seats, and many kinds of vehicles, especially large trucks, sports utility vehicles and vans. Small dogs and older, arthritic dogs have trouble getting to these places. You can solve this problem by getting a set of pet stairs (which are not limited to dogs–they’re great for cats as well).

In choosing dog stairs, it’s important to look for a design that’s appropriate for your pet. In general, stairs should be around 12 inches wide for breeds weighing less than 20 pounds; 14 inches wide for medium breeds less than 35 pounds; and 16 inches wide for larger breeds that weigh over 35 pounds. Stairs should be between 10 and 14 inches in height to reach most furniture and vehicles, but should be 17 to 29 inches in height to get your dog up to bed level.

Cats have a totally different mobility need: They love to climb. Because of their nature as predators, cats feel happier and safer in high places where they have more control over their surroundings.

The perfect choice to get your cat off the kitchen counter is a climbing tree or tower. As with dog stairs, it’s important to get the right design for your cat or cats, and to get something of good quality that will last for many years. If possible, get a cat tree that extends from floor to ceiling with several shelves for perching and sleeping. The cat tree or tower should be completely covered in carpet, rope or other textured material to give your cat plenty of climbing traction.

Fortunately, the market for dog stairs and cat furniture has exploded with dogs and cats in six out of every 10 American households, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. That means there are plenty of well-made affordable options in dog stairs and cat furniture to make you and your pets happy.