Where to Find the Best Pool Ramp for Dogs

Last Updated on June 4, 2024

Dog pool ramps are an inexpensive way to add an extra layer of pet safety to your ground pool or boat without the need for any extra construction. Keep reading to find the best dog pool ramp so you can keep your dog safe and happy this summer!

It can be a struggle for your dog to get in and out of the pool. It’s often slippery, and if your dog isn’t strong, they may find it impossible to hoist their bodies out of the water. Not only that, their safety is compromised if they aren’t able to get out of the water when they’d like. Dogs can get very tried quickly while swimming and can drown if they don’t have an easy way to get out.

On top of supervising your dog while they swim, you should also invest in a dog pool ramp so you pooch can easily get in and out of the pool.

Dog pool ramps are stair-like or inclined-flat surfaces that attach swimming pools and boats. They help keep your dog safe and help them enter and exit the pool as they please!

Dog pool ramps eliminate the need for you dog to try and pull themselves out.

There are many dog pool stairs on the market, but the one for your doggo will depend on two factors:

1. do you want to use this dog pool water ramp for swimming pools only?
2. do you want this dog water ramp for your boat as well? 

You can even buy many multi-functional, two-in-one dog water ramps if you are looking for an all-in-one ramp that suits your boat, car, and pool as well.

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Top Rated Dog Pool Ramps

To help you find the best pool ramp for dogs, we’ve put together a list of our favorite pet products to help your dog while in the water!

Dog Ramps for Pools

Stair-like (with steps) and flat dog ramps both work great in ground pools. While step ramps are more sturdy having a flat inclines can be good for dogs who have difficulties with the stairs.

We have listed 5 stairs and ramps for dogs, along with their pros and cons so you can find the one that works best for your ground pool!

1. Above Ground Swimming Pool Step To Deck 

Our top pool ramp for dogs is the Above Ground Swimming Pool Step. The top-rated stair-like water ramp ‘step to deck’ has hundreds of five-star reviews for its excellent services and safety it provides to dogs and kids.

This ‘above ground pool deck’ has four steps and long handrails on both sides to support its traditional structure. The material is plastic and has holes for the easy clutch.

Pros

• Its dimensions – 81” Height, 32” Depth, 32.5” Width.
• Easy to assemble. 
• Taking out doesn’t require much effort either. 
• It can hold a lot of weight without being damaged. 
• The stairs are filled with sand to avoid floating. 
• These come with side-heavy bags to keep the stairs down.
• Non-slip material

Cons 

• Algae may grow in the steps. One reviewer noted they drilled more holes into the steps for better water circulation–something you may need to do if your pool tends to attract algae. However, it’s an easy fix!

2. Waterdog Adventure Gears Pool Stairs

Another fine addition to your ground pool would be ‘Waterdog Adventure Gears’. While the yellow and black coloring might not be for everyone, it will definitely stand out! The structure, handrails, and its backbone are made of stainless steel, making it quite sturdy.

The stairs are non-slippery so your dog’s wet paws won’t be an issue. You can use these in the pool and cars as well. The ladder is easy to assemble and doesn’t float up on the surface because of the steel side bars. 

Pros

• They are tall, allowing more space. 
• Their size is compatible with bigger pools. 
• It’s easy to assemble and disassemble this ramp. 
• Dogs can find the ramp easily for its bright yellow color!
• The stainless body supports human weight and heavy dogs.
• It doesn’t float and neither does it need side-weights to weigh down.
• Non-slippery Material.

Cons

• The instructions are a bit hard to follow.
• The stairs might not fit small pools and decks.

3. PetSTEP Folding Pet Ramp

If you prefer a dog pool ramp rather than pool stairs, the PetSTEP Folding Pet Ramp is the best choice. I personally appreciate the elegance of this pet ramp.

You don’t need to spend hours on its manual set-up. Simply unfold it and attach it to your ground pool. This PetSTEP original folding ramp is 70 inches long with rubber coating on the top surface. 

Many manufacturers don’t understand the harm sandpaper/carpet material can do to your dog’s paws but, PetSTEP has it covered for you. The rubberized walking surface won’t hurt the dog and its paws, which is a major reason it’s at the top of our list as our favorite dog ramp. It’s also easy to claw rubber for a better grip, so your dog won’t be as likely to slip with their wet paws as they try to exit the pool.

It has a strong plastic construction that can hold up to 200lbs (animals).

Pros

• The flat surface allows your dog to enjoy the swimming pool without getting wet. Your dog can get sun-kissed, too with this flat ramp. 
• You can easily fold it. 
• This dog water ramp is built with quality products and doesn’t corrode. 
• It’s long-lasting.
• PetSTEP is easy to wash and clean. 
• These can also be used with tall beds and couches that your little pup can’t reach. 

Cons

• The pool ramp is too big to store anywhere. 
• Folding the ramp is difficult because it lacks handles. One might hurt their fingers.
• It’s hard to manage the weight alone, especially in the rain.

4.  Skamper Ramp Super

Skamper Ramp Super is a small yet sturdy model. You don’t need to invest too much time setting it up and everything you need to get it set up is included in your purchase (except for a hammer).

This Skamper supports almost all animals weighing under 200lbs. Its surface has small holes; these holes initiate grip for dogs. 

Although Skamper Ramp Super supports 200lbs of weight, it’s still a small structure so I don’t recommend this one for giant dog breeds.

Pros

• Easy to store because of the small size.
• You can flip it in and out of the dog pool in a couple of seconds. 
• The sturdy backbone keeps your pool ramp out. 
• The pet ramp is UV-resistant.

Cons

• The top surface is made of plastic that might get slippery for the dog.
• Its small structure may make it challenging for larger dogs to use.

5. COZIWOW 62” L Heavy Duty Portable Folding Water Ramp

If you want a ramp to support a big dog, this dog ramp is for you. Its heavy-built structure is meant for many different purposes, including the pool, your car, and the boat.

COZIWOW is a sleek, black dog ramp model made of heavy plastic to support 200lbs of weight.

It also comes with 4 rubber feet to help it stay connected with the ground. This is a three-in-one ramp as you can attach it to your vehicle, pool or boat.

CZIWOW also comes with a security lock to prevent opening while travelling and the pool ramp also has handles making it easy to travel with. 

Pros

• COZIWOW is easy to assemble and doesn’t require hardware. 
•  It’s lightweight.
• Non-slip surface.

Cons

• The incline is steep, and dogs might take time while adjusting to it.
• The sandpaper material can hurt your dog’s paws. 

Best Dog Ramps For Boats

If you love to boat, you shouldn’t have to leave your dog behind. Most dogs are great swimmers, but getting back on the boat is another challenge for our four-legged friends.

To help your dogs get back on the boat after a nice swim, we are sharing some of the best dog boat ramps. You can simply attach it to the boat and let your dog enjoy the water.

1. Great Day Load A Pup

‘Load A Pup’ is a small but sturdy dog boat ramp. Its aluminum body covered with white enamel will be an aesthetic addition to your boat.

Great Day Dog Ramp fits every boat that has a boarding ladder. Its lightweight body sits perfectly on the surface and provides safety to your dog. You don’t need to pull/tuck your pup out of the water anymore; ‘Load a Pup’ will do it for you with zero effort. 

The set-up is straight-forward; open the boarding ladder and attach your dog pool ramp to it. It comes with safety straps and a strong backbone to provide stability. The manual will easily guide you with the set-up. 

Pros 

• Its compact size allows easy storage and durability. 
• The aluminium body can carry heavyweight. 
• It’s protected with white enamel.
• Durable.
• Weighs on 7lbs.
• Sits just beneath the surface.

Cons

• No back steps for dogs while climbing up. 
• It’s hard to install the pool ramp in the sea with no straps to hold them in place.

2. Beavertail Folding Dog Ladder

This aluminum ladder is not your average dog ramp. The stair-like structure allows your puppy to walk without struggling to hop on. This dog ramp has an aluminum body with small holes to provide a firm grip. 

With Beavertail’s folding dog ladder, you don’t need a boarding ladder; it can easily adjust to the dock, you need to hook it up properly as advised in the manual. 

Beavertail goes deep in the water. With its underwater body, your big-fur baby doesn’t need to hop or climb the pool ramp; they can simply walk on it and reach the surface in no time. 

Pros

• Beavertail is foldable. 
• It goes underwater that helps bigger dogs.
• You can hook it without the need of a boarding ladder.

Cons

• The size is steep and can confuse dogs sometimes. 
• The instructions are lousy on the website, and it can be hard to understand the product while buying online. 
• Sloppy knob adjusters
• The holes can discomfort their claws. To avoid getting stuck, you have to glue a carpet. 

Benefits of Using Dog Pool Ramps

First, dog pool ramps and boat ladders aren’t there to replace supervision. To prevent any accidents, you must always watch your dog when they are in the water. Dogs can get tired of swimming very fast and drown unexpectedly.

By using dog pool ramps and boat ladders, you’re giving your dog a safe way to exit and enter your ground pool or boat, without you needing to lift them in and out each and every time.

Dog Not Fearing Water Bodies Anymore

Dogs are often scared of jumping out of the water, and this makes them resist enjoying water bodies or even getting near one.

A dog water ramp helps your dog to enjoy the water and not be scared of it. With this product, your dog will gain confidence with water and don’t mind the hassle. 

Prevents Injuries And Drowning

It’s hard enough to get your dog out of pools, imagine getting them out the water bodies on a boat. Boats are comparatively higher from the water surface, and a jump can result in many injuries. 

Dog water ramps prevent such injuries by avoiding falls on the slippery surfaces and rough pulling/pull out.

Just make sure you don’t use a dog water ramp as an excuse to not watch your dog–they are there to help your dog but your supervision will keep them safest.

You Enjoy The Sea And Get Sun-Kissed

With dog ramps helping your dog get out of the water, you don’t have to get up every time your dog wants to enjoy the water or come back in the boat.

(Please note: Don’t lose sight of your dog. Keep checking on them to be sure that they are safe.) 

How to Choose the Best Dog Water Ramp

There are a few things that will help you find the perfect dog water ramp.

What is the material used to manufacture it?

While most of the dog pool stairs are made of polyethylene/sturdy plastic, some manufacturers use steel/aluminum metals as well. 

If your dog pool ramp has steel parts, make sure you get a dog water ramp that’s equipped with stainless steel. If your dog ramp is not stainless, it will start to corrode and soon will be transformed into junk.  

Plastic is not necessarily bad either. Just make sure it is sturdy and well-coated. 

The size and length of the ramp

Before you buy a product, read the manual, and ask the manufacturer if it can fit your pet pool perfectly. Don’t forget to measure your pool’s height and discuss the mechanics of the ramp. 

Top surface material

The top surface material should be slip-resistant. There are many different types of material for you to choose from. If your dog’s paws are delicate, try to avoid sandpaper/carpet material, they can scratch your baby’s paws and hinder pet safety. 

I personally recommend a rubber top surface because dogs can easily hold on to it compared to steel/plastic polished surfaces. 

Can you fold and store it?

Almost all the pet pool ramps are foldable, but your stair-like pet pool ramp might take more than the efforts you can afford. Many of these need dismantling and careful packaging unless you are buying a foldable stair. 

So, if you are short on time and cannot afford the mess, look for foldable stairs or flat dog pool liners.

How much weight can the pet pool ramp carry?

You must be sure the dog water ramp you choose can carry the weight of your pooch! Some ramps aren’t meant for large dogs, so before you buy, make sure to check the weight limitations.

Conclusion

Pet safety in your pool and on your boat is crucial.

These sturdy slopes will make pool days and boat rides more enjoyable for your dog! If you are someone who often shares water bodies with your dog, it’s time that you invest in their safety right now!