The best bed ramp/stairs for a Frenchie (help please)

Artemis1 · Apr 3, 2015

My vet has told me numerous times that due to common back problems...
1. Jumping can be very bad for Frenchies
2. Stairs can be very bad for Frenchies
After seeing my cousin's older Frenchie get an extremely painful & expensive spinal surgery, I've decided to be safe rather than sorry and add a dog ramp of some sort to my bed.

I'm going to create a custom ramp for my pup and I'd like some advice as to which style is best for my frenchie's back & hips!
Question 1: Which are easier on a Frenchie? Stairs or a ramp?
Question 2: Out of the following ramp/ stair structure styles, which style would be best for my dog's health? And why? Image #1

Image #2

Image #3

Image #4

Image #5

turbodave · Apr 3, 2015

I like the first and fifth (ramps) but it's what best suites your decor. I personally prefer ramps.

Tgirl · Apr 3, 2015

I think one of the ramps would be better. Less chance of injury in my opinion.

mmclean · Apr 3, 2015

I think it depends on how steep the ramp is. My uncle made one for his lab, the lab hated it and my uncle gave it to me for Radar. It was too steep and Radar would slide off of it. Needless to say, he too hated it and in the trash it went.

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Artemis1 · Apr 3, 2015

Mmclean, would you say it was steeper than the ramps in the images I posted?

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Artemis1 · Apr 3, 2015

And thank you for all of your input guys! I want as much input as I can get before I go to lowes this weekend and start my project.

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Fosta Mama · Apr 3, 2015

I like image #1, the ramp with the safety guard rail. You have to make sure it's not too steep, though.

I have the image #4 steps and the same brand in a simple two-step version. The two-step version is perfect for the couch and is sturdy. The taller one for my bed is wobbly; and one Frenchie can climb it but my mobility-challenged Frenchie can not.

Artemis1 · Apr 3, 2015

Did you have a hard time getting your dog to use the stairs instead of leaping off the bed like a trapeze wannabe? I'm concerned my dog will refuse to use it!

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davidh · Apr 3, 2015

I would say ramp also.

mmclean · Apr 3, 2015

Artemis1 said:
Mmclean, would you say it was steeper than the ramps in the images I posted?

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Hard to say from the pictures, but I think it was, and probably a tad narrower.

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Tgirl · Apr 4, 2015

You may have to train the dog to use the ramp, but it shouldn't be hard. I like the one with the rail too.

blushy · Apr 4, 2015

I have pet stairs for isabelle. She fell off so many times I figured the 3 steps she's trying to go up she can just jump.

She doesn't jump off of our bed or go up and down the stairs though. We carry our dogs. Yes they are that spoiled...!

So Id go with a ramp with a rail similar to #1 but that one is just so ugly to the eye, hope you paint it a nice color or something!

Good luck and post pics of the finished product!

TeresaW · Apr 11, 2015

We have stairs for Pierce, but he only uses them to go down-unless he is chasing Schatzi, our dachshund. Otherwise he freezes and refuses to go up them. The ramp will definitely need some kind of rail so they don't get halfway down and decide to jump!
Can't wait to see what you decide to make.

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Artemis1 · Apr 12, 2015

Thank you everyone, I'm about 1/3rd of the way through the project. I'm making a ramp with a rail as so many of you suggested...I will post pictures of it when I'm finished, along with my Frenchie's reaction! Thanks again!

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