Determining the Height and Length For Your Custom Built Ramp
Get a pen, paper and measuring tape.
Write down the following as you figure them out:
HEIGHT
Measure from the floor to the top of the bed or couch your dog is trying to reach.
If your dog is agile enough to handle a step up and you want a shorter ramp, make this height 2-3 inches (50-75 mm) lower.
LENGTH
There are two lengths to consider: the ramp by itself, OR both the ramp and an added platform.
The Ramp
The slope or steepness of the ramp is the length along the base of the triangle divided by the height of the triangle (slope = base length/height).
The base length therefore = slope x height
The slope should be 2 to 1 or less, meaning base length = 2 x height.
For example, if your bed is 24 inches (610 mm) high, the base part of the ramp should be at least 48 inches (1220 mm) long.
The longer your base length and the lower your height, the more gradual will be your slope.
For instance, if the bed or couch height is 24 inches (610 mm) and the base length is 72 inches or 6 feet (1830 mm) long, you will have a 3 to 1 slope.
A dog that has difficulty walking will require the most gentleslope possible.
The Platform
This is a level area that the dog steps onto when coming off the bed.
We suggest a platform that is square, with a length and width that match the width of the ramp.
Dog Ramps for Beds: Things to Consider
Remember to calculate the base length of the ramp + the platform length to arrive at the final length for your indoor dog ramp. Make sure you have room for a ramp this size!
If you do not have room, another option is to do a combination of ramp and steps, also known as a dog step ramp.
You keep the slope of the ramp, but at 10 or 12-inch intervals, use a 2 to 3-inch vertical step up. We suggest you draw this on a piece of paper to see how much shorter the ramp can be made.
You can also consider making a ramp with a 90-degree or 180-degree turn in it.
If your space is very narrow, have a look at our mini doggie steps.
Slope Angle :
General Advice Warning: The information contained on this website and Ramp Calculator is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice.
FAQ
What angle should a dog ramp be?
Here are some general guidelines: Ramp width should be about 11-12 inches for toy and small dogs, and 22-24 inches for medium size breeds. Rise of the ramp should allow an angle of incline at roughly 18 to 25 degrees. A toy or small dog will need 18-20 degrees and a medium size dog 22-25 degrees.
How steep of a ramp can a dog climb?
The specific incline recommendations are as follows: The rise of the ramp should incline to an angle of between 18 to 25 degrees. Small dog breeds need an incline angle of 18 to 20 degrees. Medium size dog breeds need an incline angle of 22 to 25 degrees.