Indoor Pet Ramps
- Pet Classics Indoor Pet Ramp Features
- Overall Design
- Carpet Quality
- The Ramp Platform
- Safety Rails
- Finish and Care
-
What Size Do I Need?
- Ramp Heights
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Which Slope is Best for My Pet?
- Climber Slope
- Normal Slope
- Easy Slope
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Pet Training Tips
Pet Classics Indoor Pet Ramp Features
Overall Design:
Pet Classics is proud to offer the most extensive and attractive line of furniture-quality indoor ramps available anywhere. Our ramps are designed to fit your pet's unique blend of age, size, and ability; but, just as importantly, we designed them to look great in your home. Once in place, you'll likely be using it for many years to come. Therefore, we think it's important that your pet ramp be an attractive addition to your living area in addition to being something that your pet will appreciate and enjoy.
These ramps are specially engineered to be very sturdy and strong (suitable for even the largest breeds!) and, best of all, are easily assembled in two easy steps without any tools! Another unique feature is that the legs on the tall platform ramps are slightly splayed (angled outward from platform) to accommodate the bulkiness of puffier bed quilts and to provide greater overall ramp stability.
Carpet Quality:
The ramp's carpet is often understated, but we use only plush, residential-grade carpet for our indoor pet ramps. Not only does it look the best in your home, but also it is important that the ramp be covered with a non-loop carpet to avoid the painful result of catching a tiny toenail in a carpet loop. The plush carpet is also important in providing a dense gripping surface for your dog or cat to grip as it ascends the ramp. Larger, heavier dogs also enjoy the added benefit of the nylon 'grid' below the carpet fibers. Their larger nails can often reach that surface for even greater traction. (And, still, there's no risk of catching a nail!)
The Ramp ‘Platform’:
A platform ramp provides your dog or cat the perfect, level landing at the top of the ramp. If the bed or sofa is slightly higher than the ramp, it is important to provide a level surface for your pet to step onto and off of. The stress on achy muscles and joints is lessened when your pet is not forced to step up from or down to an inclined surface.
The platforms make our pet ramps totally free-standing so that you can use them on either side or at the foot of a bed. And, because the addition of a platform structure will significantly increase the overall stability of a pet ramp, we strongly recommend that all ramps over 20 inches tall have platforms.
Safety Rails:
Side rails are very important and all of our Indoor Ramps have a raised 1½″ safety rail. This keeps paws from slipping off the edge of the ramp and gives a sense of security to the pets. We have tested various rail heights and found that in most cases taller rails are not needed. Even pets with visual impairments will generally need just a short rail that they can 'feel' on their way up and down. If you do require higher rails, however, we do offer optional 4 inch and 8 inch add-on rails.
Finish & Care:
Pet Classics™ Ramps are finished with Woodwright Quality Wood Coatings. The Woodwright line of finishing products has been time tested in its durability, high build, beautiful luster, heat and humidity resistance and protection from harmful elements that can mar the appearance of your furniture over time.
What Size Do I Need?
Our indoor ramps are available in three standard heights which will accommodate the needs of most pets inside the home. (Upon request, we will also provide custom quotes for taller, shorter or wider ramps.)
Low Ramps - 15″ high (16½″ to the top of the safety rail)
Our Indoor Low ramps will work for most sofas and chairs, and even some 'day' or low-profile beds. All Low Ramp models are manufactured with a 22-degree 'Normal Slope' which we have found to be suitable for all age and ability levels on the shorter ramps.
Tall Ramps - 24″ high (25½″ to the top of the safety rail)
Perfect for most beds (and windowsills) that are 25″-30″ high. If your bed is a few inches higher than the ramp, most pets can step up and down the remaining distance from the level platform area.
Extra Tall Ramps - 29″ high (30½″ to the top of the safety rail)
Perfect for most beds (and windowsills) that are 30″-35″ high. (If your bed is a few inches higher than the ramp, most pets can step up and down the remaining distance from the level platform area.)
Ramp Width - 12″ or 16″
For all cats and miniature-to-medium sized dogs, choose from one of our 12″ wide models. For larger dogs, or pets who suffer from serious health and/or balance problems, the 16″ wide models would be the better choice.
Which Slope is Best for My Pet?
Young, old. Fat, thin. Strong, weak. Every pet is different and so we designed our indoor pet ramps to fit a wide variety of pet sizes and abilities. Your pet's age and physical condition will help determine the correct ramp slope for your cat or dog.
We are proud to offer three standard options as shown in this illustration:
Climber Slope (26 Degrees)
Our steepest incline is for young to middle-age dogs that need a ramp but do not have significant physical impairments or muscle weakness. If your mini, toy or small dog has plenty of strength to scamper, but cannot jump onto your high bed, the 'climber' incline works great and takes up much less floor space than other models! This ramp also works well with younger cats challenged by mild to moderate physical handicaps.
The Climber Slope is most appropriate for small to medium size dogs. At the point a large dog would need a ramp, the steeper incline would be too difficult to navigate.
To visualize a 'Climber Slope':
- Measure a spot alongside a bed or sill that is 24″ high (straight up from the floor)
- Pull a tape measure out to 54″. Hold one end at the 24″ spot determined in step 1 and let the other end fall to the floor.
- Resulting 'slope' of tape measure will approximate the Climber Slope Ramp.
Normal Slope (22 Degrees)
A more moderate incline for dogs and cats with minor to moderate physical impairments.
The 12″ wide Normal Slope Ramp, including platform, has an overall length of 70″.
The 16″ wide Normal Slope Ramp, including platform, has an overall length of 74″
To visualize a 'Normal Slope':
- Measure a spot alongside a bed or still that is 24″ high (straight up from the floor)
- Pull a tape measure out to 64″. Hold one end at the 24″ spot determined in step above and let the other end extend down to the floor.
- Resulting 'slope' of tape measure will approximate the 'Normal Slope' Ramp.
Easy Slope (18 Degrees)
Very gentle incline, and much easier for achy muscles and bones. Highly recommended for elderly or disabled dogs and cats with mobility problems and/or increasing muscle or limb weakness.
The 12″ wide Easy Slope Ramp, including platform, has an overall length of 83″.
The 16″ wide Easy Slope Ramp, including platform, has an overall length of 87″.
To visualize an 'Easy Slope':
- Measure a spot alongside a bed or still that is 24″ high (straight up from the floor)
- Pull a tape measure out to 74″. Hold one end at the 24″ spot determined in step above and let the other end extend down to the floor.
- Resulting 'slope' of tape measure will approximate the 'Easy Slope' Ramp.
Pet Training Tips for your Indoor Ramp
With a little encouragement and a few treats, most pets will take to their new ramps right away. If they need additional help, try these tips:
Place the ramp section flat on the floor and allow your pet to play on and around it. Using treats or toys, make it a game for them to walk or run up and down the flat surface.
After they've had a chance to acclimate to the ramp section, attach it to the platform and gently 'walk' your pet up and down a few times. Encourage them with treats to go up and down the ramp independently.
If you normally lift your pet up and down from the bed or sofa - the next few times the occasion arises, put them on the ramp with your hands around their belly and gently 'walk' them in the direction they're trying to go.
It may take a few minutes.. but soon your pet will be using the ramp like a pro!
DISCLAIMER: This manual, including graphics and charts, is Copyrighted and exclusive property of Pet Classics LLC. Under no circumstances is this document, or its contents, to be distributed or reproduced, in any manner, without explicit written consent from Pet Classics. -- Pet Classics ™ LLC ©2019
