You might notice that your dog appears to put more effort into jumping to and from furniture and vehicles. We often believe that because dogs are animals, they can physically handle the simple act of jumping, but are you aware that repetitive leaping could result in the development of physical health issues later in your dog’s life? That’s why we aim to introduce you to the advantages of steps for dogs.

No matter what breed or size of dog you have, there are certain physical consequences that result from repetitive jumping. Every time your dog jumps down from something, his bones and joints absorb the shock of impact. Granted, he may only be leaping down from the sofa—which isn’t a fair height—but how many times a day does this happen? Multiply this by the number of days in his lifetime, and the result could be quite surprising! Physical hindrances such as arthritis and hip dysplasia can crop up earlier on in a dog’s life if his joints aren’t properly maintained.

You may be wondering if you should simply aid your dog onto the furniture by lifting him. This is not advisable, as lifting a dog repetitively can also result in spinal issues. Carrying a dog while he is a puppy isn’t really an issue, but as your dog grows and his bones have matured into the position they will be for the rest of his life, his body can’t cope as well with repetitive “unnatural” positioning.

An alternative is to simply purchase a good set of steps for dogs. With dog stairs, your pet has the option to efficiently distribute his weight smoothly—as if walking—so the issue of shock absorption is completely done away with. Many dog steps are carpeted, which allows your dog the safety of extra grip and comfort while descending. This is especially helpful if your dog is descending onto a hard surface such as wood or tile.

There is a wealth of variety available when shopping for dog steps, including different heights, widths, and materials. Choosing the correct stairs is important, as steps that are too large or small for your dog could result in a stumble or fall. If you have a large breed of dog, try searching for steps that are at least 16” wide. This allows your dog plenty of room to maneuver the steps. Medium-sized dogs should have steps at least 14” wide, and small dog breeds do best with steps 12” wide or smaller.

Some breeds of dog are especially prone to joint issues later in life, but that doesn’t mean that these breeds are the only ones needing preventative care. Young dogs whose bones are still developing as well as older or special-needs dogs can too benefit from pet stairs. While there are many factors that contribute to your dog’s bone and joint health, dog stairs can certainly play a major role in staving off joint problems in your dog’s future.

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