Dogs | Accessories

Best Dog Ramps for Senior and Large Dogs in Australia

As a big dog gets older or heavier, jumping into the car boot gets harder. A dog that used to jump straight in starts to misjudge the jump and does not get high enough. Lifting a thirty-kilo labrador into an SUV a few times a day strains your back and puts pressure on the dog's joints. A ramp solves this: the dog walks up a gentle slope instead of jumping, so you never have to lift the dog. This guide covers four dog ramps, each for a different job. One folds and suits a sedan, wagon, hatchback or lower SUV. One telescopes to reach a tall 4WD or ute. One is the budget car ramp, with reflective strips for dark mornings. The fourth is an adjustable ramp for the bed or couch.

Best Overall

4.6

PAWZ 160cm Foldable Dog Car Ramp

160cm long, folds in four
Grippy fabric, rated to 100kg

Needs boot space to store

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Best for Tall Vehicles

4.7

PetSafe Deluxe Telescoping Dog Ramp

Telescopes 99–183cm to fit
Rated to 180kg, side rails

Easily the priciest here

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Best Budget Pick

4.2

PAWZ 90kg Reflective Dog Ramp

Cheapest ramp on the list
Reflective strips for the dark

Firmer, less padded surface

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Best for Beds & Couches

4.0

VAKA 100cm Adjustable Dog Ramp

Height sets to 34, 41 or 48cm
Grippy carpet, folds away flat

No published weight rating

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By Tom • Updated October 2026 • 🕒 12 min read

A few things decide whether a dog will use a ramp: an angle gentle enough for the height of your car, a surface that grips under paws, a weight rating to suit your dog, and whether you can fold and carry it yourself. The RSPCA lists using a ramp to get in and out of the car among the ways to help a dog with arthritis, alongside weight management and gentler exercise.

What to look for in a dog ramp

Five things worth checking before you buy, so the ramp suits your dog and your car. Swipe through all five.

Length vs car height

For the same boot height, a longer ramp gives a gentler slope. Measure from the ground to the point where the ramp will rest, then check the maker's sizing guidance for that height. PetSafe, for one, says not to use a ramp that creates a steep incline for your vehicle's height.

Weight rating

A ramp that flexes underfoot feels unsafe, and a dog will refuse it. Check the maker's load rating against your dog's real weight, and choose a ramp rated higher than that weight. Some indoor bed ramps have no published rating, so look harder at the build and your dog's size before you buy one.

Grip underfoot

Paws slip on bare plastic or timber, especially when wet. A high-traction fabric, rubberised or carpet surface gives grip and cushions each step, which matters most for a dog with sore joints or arthritis.

Fold and carry

If you can't lift the ramp with one hand, you probably won't use it often. Aluminium folding ramps are light enough to keep in the boot and lift with one hand. A telescoping ramp collapses to about a metre, while a folding ramp packs flatter. Think about how often you'll move it and where you'll store it between trips.

Rails and stability

A nervous or unsteady dog drifts sideways on the way up. Raised side rails stop the dog stepping off the edge, and a non-slip base or rubber feet stop the ramp shifting on the ground.

At a glance

The four ramps side by side: who each one suits, its length and weight rating, and the approximate price.

Rank	Product	Best for	Key feature	Price guide	Check price
Best Overall	PAWZ 160cm Foldable Dog Car Ramp	Sedans, wagons, hatches and lower SUVs	160cm long, 44cm wide, fabric rug surface, folds in four, rated to 100kg	$$$	Check price
Best for Tall Vehicles	PetSafe Deluxe Telescoping Dog Ramp	Tall SUVs, 4WDs and ute trays	Telescopes from 99cm to 183cm to match any boot height	$$$$	Check price
Best Budget Pick	PAWZ 90kg Reflective Dog Ramp	Early starts and tight budgets	157.5cm long, 40cm wide, textured waterproof surface, folds in half, rated to 90kg, reflective strips	$$$	Check price
Best for Beds & Couches	VAKA 100cm Adjustable Dog Ramp	Senior dogs and the bedroom	Height sets to 34, 41 or 48cm for beds and low couches	$$$	Check price

Our picks in detail

What we rate, what to watch for, and the dog and vehicle each ramp suits.

Best Overall: PAWZ 160cm Foldable Dog Car Ramp

Bottom line — a 160cm fabric-surfaced ramp rated to 100kg for a big dog's gentle walk into a sedan, wagon or lower SUV.

For most owners of a big dog, this is the ramp we recommend first. It's 160 centimetres long and 44 centimetres wide, and the maker rates it for cars, SUVs and trucks. That length gives a sedan, wagon, hatchback or lower SUV boot a gentle slope, and the width lets a big dog walk up straight without stepping off the side. The surface is a fabric rug that grips wet paws and softens each step. The aluminium frame is rated for dogs up to 100 kilograms.

It weighs about 6.6 kilograms, so you can lift it one-handed, and it folds into four flat sections with a padded handle. It suits a dog that can still walk up a gentle slope but can no longer jump: most seniors, big breeds and recovering dogs. The fabric surface traps fur and dries slowly after a muddy walk, and at 160 centimetres it's awkward in a small car. For a tall 4WD or a ute tray, or a frail senior that needs the gentlest angle you can get, the longer telescoping PetSafe below is the better fit.

What we love	Areas for improvement
160cm by 44cm for a gentle slope Non-slip fabric rug absorbs impact Folds into four flat sections, padded handle	Too long for very small cars Fabric surface holds mud and fur Not the cheapest folding ramp here

Best for Tall Vehicles: PetSafe Deluxe Telescoping Dog Ramp

Bottom line — the ramp for a tall 4WD, ute or high SUV: telescopes to 183cm, carries up to 180kg, costs the most here.

If your dog has to reach the back of a tall 4WD, a dual-cab ute tray or a high SUV, this is the ramp built for it. It telescopes from 99 centimetres out to 183, so you set the length to the height of your vehicle and keep the slope gentle. PetSafe's own sizing guide rates it for entry heights of about 48 to 76 centimetres, and PetSafe rates it to carry dogs up to 180 kilograms, which covers the giant breeds.

It's aluminium and weighs about 6 kilograms, with a high-traction walking surface and raised side rails that stop a wary dog stepping off the edge halfway up. For storage, it slides back down and locks with a safety latch, so it can't open while you drive. The drawback is the price: it costs three to four times what the folding ramps cost. The higher price is worth paying if your boot sits high, if your dog is very big, or if an elderly dog has lost muscle and needs the longest, gentlest slope you can give it. The surface is also firmer underfoot than a padded fabric ramp.

What we love	Areas for improvement
Telescopes to suit tall 4WDs and SUVs Rated to 180kg with raised side rails Light 6kg aluminium, packs down short	Costs three to four times the others Firmer surface than a fabric ramp Longer than a low hatchback needs

Best Budget Pick: PAWZ 90kg Reflective Dog Ramp

Bottom line — the budget pick: a solid folding car ramp with reflective strips for dark mornings, rated to 90kg.

This is the cheapest car ramp here, and it suits most cars. It's 157.5 centimetres long and about 40 centimetres wide, a touch shorter and narrower than the PAWZ 160 above, with a textured, waterproof non-slip surface in place of a fabric rug. It folds in half rather than in four, and it's rated to take dogs up to 90 kilograms. The stand-out feature is the reflective strip running down each side.

The strips help if you load the dog before sunrise, which happens with an early shift or a dog that needs an early toilet trip. They outline the ramp's edges in low light, so the dog can see where to put its feet. Folded in half it's a longer, thicker bundle than a ramp that folds into four. The surface is firmer and less cushioned than a fabric-topped ramp, which a dog with very sore joints may notice. At 90 kilograms it covers most dogs, though a giant breed is better off on the telescoping PetSafe. It is the cheapest ramp of the four, and it has a grippy, waterproof surface and a 90kg weight rating.

What we love	Areas for improvement
Lowest price of the four Reflective strips for pre-dawn loading Waterproof surface wipes clean fast	Maximum load rating is 90kg Folds in half only, bulkier to store Firmer textured surface, less give

Best for Beds & Couches: VAKA 100cm Adjustable Dog Ramp

Bottom line — the indoor pick: an adjustable timber ramp that gets a stiff old dog onto the bed or couch without a jump.

The other three ramps are for cars. This one is for indoors, so a dog that can no longer jump up can still reach the bed or the couch. It's a timber ramp with a paw-friendly carpet surface, and the top sets to 34, 41 or 48 centimetres so you can match it to your bed frame or lounge. The maker publishes no weight rating for it. It's made for small and large older dogs, and for cats. There's no weight rating, so check it looks sturdy enough for your dog before you buy.

It folds flat and stores beside the furniture when you aren't using it. This helps in a bedroom, where a full set of stairs would take up floor space. The carpet grips better than a bare timber or plastic surface, so a dog nervous about slipping tends to settle on it quickly. Two limits: the timber is heavier to shift room-to-room than a foam step, and because the ramp is only 100 centimetres long, the slope to a tall bed gets steep, so measure the bed height first. Use it for a bed or couch between about 34 and 48 centimetres high.

What we love	Areas for improvement
Three set heights for beds and couches Carpet surface grips senior paws Folds flat and tucks beside furniture	Too low to reach a car boot No weight rating published by the maker Only 100cm, so steeper to a high bed

FAQ

Is a ramp or a set of stairs better for my dog?

It depends on the dog and the height. A ramp is one continuous slope with no stepping, which is gentler on very sore joints, weak back legs or a long back, and it's the better choice for a big dog getting into a car, where stairs would be tall and awkward. Stairs take up less floor space and suit a small dog reaching a bed or couch indoors. If that's your situation, see our guide to dog stairs for small dogs.

What length ramp do I need for my car?

Measure from the ground to the point where the ramp will rest: the boot lip for a cargo-area ramp, or the seat for a back-seat ramp. Then match that height to the maker's sizing guidance. PetSafe's sizing guide rates its 99 to 183 centimetre telescoping ramp for entry heights of about 48 to 76 centimetres (19 to 30 inches). The same guide recommends a longer ramp for an elderly dog or one that has lost muscle. It also says not to use a ramp that creates a steep incline for your vehicle's height. A sedan, wagon or hatchback boot sits lower, and the 160 centimetre folding ramp here is rated for cars and SUVs. A tall 4WD or ute tray needs the longer telescoping ramp.

How do I get a nervous dog to use the ramp?

Train your dog slowly, and start with the ramp lying flat on the ground. Lay the ramp flat on the ground and walk your dog over it a few times with treats, so the dog gets used to the surface. Then raise one end a little, then a little more, rewarding each trip, before you ever lean it against the car. Keep sessions short and calm, and go at your dog's speed. Most dogs will use the ramp within a few days. A gentle slope with a grippy surface and side rails is far less daunting than a steep, narrow one.

Can a big dog damage a ramp, or fall off it?

A ramp used within its stated weight rating shouldn't flex or fail, so buy one rated well above your dog's weight. A ramp that bows underfoot frightens a dog, and it will refuse the ramp next time. Falling sideways is the other worry, especially with an unsteady senior; raised side rails and a non-slip base keep both the dog and the ramp from shifting. Set it on level ground, push the top firmly against the car, and stand alongside the first few times until the dog is sure of itself.

At what age or weight should I think about getting a ramp?

There is no set age or weight. It depends on how your dog is moving. Osteoarthritis is more common than most owners realise: one large study found around a quarter of dogs, 24.9%, developed it, and the risk climbs with age and body weight. Big breeds and heavier dogs put more strain on their joints, so they often need help sooner. If your dog hesitates, scrabbles or lands heavily getting into the car, or is stiff after a rest, a ramp reduces the daily impact on its joints. See a vet about ongoing stiffness, because a ramp doesn't treat the underlying problem.

Final thoughts

Before you buy, measure your car's load height and be realistic about your dog's weight. If the ramp is too steep for that height, your dog will refuse to walk up it. If the dog is heavier than the ramp's weight rating, the ramp flexes, and most dogs will refuse to walk up it. Dogs take to a ramp fastest when it has a gentle slope and a grippy surface.

See your vet before you buy a ramp. If a dog that used to jump into the boot suddenly can't, book a check-up first, because stiffness that comes on quickly needs a diagnosis. The ramp will still be useful once you know what's going on. Then train your dog on the ramp while it lies flat on the ground. Keep sessions short, use a few treats, and let the dog go at its own speed. Only then lean the ramp against the car. On cost, the folding ramps do the job for most cars, and the telescoping one is only worth the extra money if your boot sits high or your dog is very big. My staffy, Pepper, still jumps into the boot, so she doesn't need a ramp yet. She will need one as she gets older, and I'd rather she learns to use one before then.