Hey everyone! I'm looking for some guidance on building a ramp that allows my older dog to safely get over four stairs, which have a total rise of 33 inches. I want to ensure the slope isn't too steep for him. I calculated that if I'm aiming for a gentle incline, the ramp would need to be about 11 feet long. Does that sound accurate? Also, if anyone has suggestions for free plans or resources to help with this project, I would really appreciate it! Thanks!
3 Answers
You might want to consider an L-shaped ramp design! It could help manage the height while keeping the slope gentler for your dog. Just a thought!
I don't have specific plans for you, but your calculations seem to be on point. I made a ramp for a similar setup, and my 16-foot version ended up being too steep for my dog. I had to extend it to 24 feet to make it comfortable. Keep testing your ideas until you find what works best for your dog!
Thanks for the feedback! Good to know that 16 feet was too steep for your dog—I’ll aim for a longer ramp!
For a senior dog, you usually want to keep the ramp angle no steeper than 18 degrees, which would put the ramp length around 8 to 9 feet. A simple way to build it would be to use 3/4" plywood and reinforce it with some 2x4s. Make sure the ramp is about 3 to 4 feet wide so your pup feels secure while climbing up! It's a straightforward yet effective solution.
That’s an interesting idea! I hadn’t thought about an L-shape. Thanks!