Should I Purchase Dog Steps For My Dog?

As dogs age they suffer from many of the same issues people do. For a dog dealing with arthritis or other joint disorders, dog steps are the perfect solution. Useful in so many ways, dog steps allow your pet to climb onto higher surfaces without discomfort.
With the improvements in pet medicine animals are living longer, and much like their human companions they are dealing with age related traumas.

It is not uncommon for people to be treating their dogs for any number of diseases including arthritis, joint problems or hip dysphasia. For these animals, the act of getting up or down from the couch or in and out of the car can be very uncomfortable. Dog steps reduce the strain you pet undergoes in during these actions by decreasing the elevation change per step.

As odd as it may seem initially, wood dog steps are really a convenient way to increase your dog's mobility. It takes a bit of training if your dog has never had to climb steps before, but most dogs take to steps very easily. Soft dog steps have a lower tread than standard human steps, taking into account the shorter elevations most dogs can manage. Utilizing dog steps gives your pet the freedom of getting up and down from things without experiencing pain. Imagine trying to get into your bed if it was chin-high. That is what your dog sees when trying to climb into a car or onto the couch with you.

Many dog steps are designed to be portable. When heading out in your car you can tuck them in the trunk ensuring that your pet can get in and out of the car without strain. With a larger dog the steps are even more helpful since you won't have to lift your dog in and out; your dog can do it himself. A trip to the vet can be traumatic enough for your friend; why add the stress of struggling into and out of your vehicle as well?

When searching for dog steps look for something light but sturdy. If your steps lack stability your dog will not want to use them. Just as you are uncomfortable on a rickety ladder, your dog will be unhappy on unstable steps. If you have to choose between one lightweight stable set and two cheaper sets of less well built steps, always go for the better quality product. Examine the tread itself, and make sure that it isn't made of a slick material. Once your pet is accustomed to the steps you can take them anywhere you go, for example even when you head out for vacation.

Like any other aid used to improve mobility, dog steps are a valuable tool in improving quality of life. Compassion for your older pet includes doing things that help reduce the pain they experience while doing basic things. Pet steps can be a boon as your pet ages and they are no longer able to jump up onto things like they used to. With pet steps, cuddling on the couch doesn't have to be a thing of the past.