easy diy dog ramp for bed

16 DIY Dog Ramp Plans You Can Make Today (With Pictures)

Are you the proud parent of a short-legged dog that cant quite reach your bed for cuddles? Or perhaps your dog has a leg or hip issue thats preventing them from jumping? If so, it might be time to consider a dog ramp to give your fur buddy a helping hand (or paw!). As store-bought dog ramps can be a little on the pricey side, an alternative is to build your own DIY dog ramp.

The great thing about going the DIY route is that you can use your own materials and tools, save money, and tailor the ramp to your dogs size or needs. Without further ado, check out these awesome DIY dog ramp plans you can make today!

The 16 DIY Dog Ramp Plans

1. Carpeted DIY Dog Ramp by Irresistible Pets

This awesome DIY dog ramp was designed to help a dog with back problems get on and off the bed. The difficulty level is moderate; it requires a few tools and a fair bit of measuring needs to be done, but the materials are pretty easy and inexpensive to procure. The carpet is a great addition and is sure to help prevent your dog from sliding about. If you dont mind spending a morning or afternoon in the workshop or yard putting this together, give it a go today!

2. DIY IKEA Crate Dog Steps for Small Dogs by IKEA Hackers

These easy-to-make dog steps were created with small dogs in mind. It takes around one hour to assemble and all you need is a few materials and tools. The concept is to basically glue three IKEA boxes together after covering the bases (steps) in fabric. If you have similar boxes at home and an old cushion cover, you may not even need to make the journey to IKEAyou can just use what youve got and draw inspiration from this smart idea.

3. DIY Adjustable Dog Ramp by HGTV

This adjustable DIY dog ramp is perfect for any dog having issues getting where they need to be, whether thats the sofa, bed, or car. The great thing about this ramp is that you can use it for multiple dogs and adjust it to different levels. It extends from 1630 inches and you should set aside around half a day to build itperhaps a little more time if youre a beginner.

4. DIY Doggie Bed Ramp With Storage Space by HGTV

Follow HGTVs straightforward instructions to build this DIY bed ramp for your fur baby. Though the material list is pretty long, this ramp is relatively simple to put together. It is made by gluing crates descending in height together as supports and attaching a board on top to act as the ramp. This ramp is pretty amazingnot only does it help your dog reach new heights, but you can use the crates as storage space too!

5. DIY Dog Ramp for Bedroom by Home Talk

This DIY bedroom ramp is sturdy and strong, so its great for dogs a little larger in build as well as smaller dogs. Its made with a few simple materials but its a pretty large and heavy structure so you may need to call a friend for backup. The creator recommends using pine or cedar wood to make this ramp because these types of wood are strong and easier to work with than oak.

6. Easy Cardboard Pet Stairs by Mild Mile

If youre not comfortable using types of saws and drills, give these easy cardboard pet stairs a go! These DIY stairs were built for lionhead rabbits but the creator doubled up on double-walled cardboard to make them extra strong, so theres no reason why they wouldnt work for small to medium-sized dogs. This is a cheap, simple alternative for dog parents without tools or wood to work with.

7. Simple DIY Dog Ramp by Kolchak Puggle

Thissimple, foldable DIY dog ramp was tailor-made to perfectly fit a high bed. Its made by attaching two pieces of plywood together with a piano hinge and gate hooks. Though a few special materials are required, its pretty easy to put together and is covered in carpet that you can staple into place instead of gluing. Its simple, lightweight, and portable so you can experiment with different placements.

8. DIY Car Ramp by Salt of America

Designed for a large dog that had injured himself by jumping from an SUV, this cool, foldable DIY ramp is a great idea for dogs that need a little help getting into the car. Its fine for all sizes of dogs and has a pretty short material list. Its a large structure, though, so youll need plenty of space to make it. A garage or outdoor space would be best. One of the best things about this ramp is that, despite its large size, its foldable so its easy to travel around with.

9. Super Simple DIY Cardboard Steps by Four His Glory

If you dont own a saw, drill, or dont feel comfortable putting wooden structures together, these cardboard steps are super simple. All you need is a few cardboard boxes, some duct tape, and fleece or carpet to spruce up the finished product a little. Youll need to find some weighty objects to fill the boxes with to prevent them from caving in. A rubber drawer liner under the base helps keep the boxes in place.

10. Inexpensive Doggie Ramp by Instructables

Fed up with seeing overpriced pet ramps in stores, the couple who created this inexpensive DIY dog ramp decided to go to Home Depot for cheap materials that could be used to put together their own ramp. Altogether, the materials cost the couple less than $50. This ingenious DIY ramp is easy to put together, is perfect for cars and beds, and goes easy on your wallet!

11. Large DIY Dog Ramp by Fox and Brie

This large DIY dog ramp cost the creator less than $40 to make and was built for a Rhodesian mix recovering from surgery. Its large size and width make it perfect for homes with steps leading to the porch or front door that are causing your dog difficulty and its suitable for dogs of all sizes. It utilizes wood casing for traction and carpet to help prevent slips and slides.

12. $30 DIY Dog Ramp by Camels and Chocolate

The creators of this $30 DIY dog ramp had saving money as a priority. It was built to help a dog with a shaky knee get around in the couples new home. The materials for this project came in at $23, which was aided by free carpet samples and spare plywood they had lying around. You may need to spend a little more, though, if you dont have plywood on hand.

13. Collapsible DIY Dog Ramp by Family Handyman

This collapsible DIY dog ramp is perfect for dogs struggling to get up on the bed. Its a simple design but a little heavy on the materials and tools so is of moderate difficulty to assemble. Its estimated to take just a few hours to complete and costs between $20 and $50 for all of the materials. This varies depending on what you have available. Its both collapsible and portable enough to move around and take with you when you travel.

14. DIY Dog Ramp for Dachshunds by Holly Obee

This cute DIY dog ramp was created by a dog parent with a Dachshund with Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD). Its height and width are the perfect size for little sausage dogs either with or without back problems. Its made with strips of wood bought from Home Depot and sanded down around the edges. When its all put together, you can use a glue gun and staple gun to cover it in carpeting. This dog ramp is suitable for Dachshunds and other small breeds.

15. Pretty DIY Outdoor Dog Ramp for Over Stairs by Pretty DIY Home

This decorative outdoor ramp may look small, but its wide enough for dogs of all different sizes. Its designed to go on top of outdoor steps on your patio, the idea being to avoid cutting into your stairs to make extra room for a ramp. If your dog loves to spend time out in your yard but struggles to get up and down your patio steps, this clever outdoor ramp could be your next DIY project.

16. Outdoor DIY Dog Ramp: Simple Build by Easy Prepper 101

This outdoor DIY ramp is another neat, simple design by a Dachshund parent that fits nicely over your patio steps. It balances on a wooden joist and isnt screwed in, so you can easily remove it from your steps when needed. This ramp is perfect for dogs that struggle with steps due to their breed or health issues. The creator was able to quickly train his Dachshunds to use the ramp in a safe and stress-free manner.

Final Thoughts

If youve taken a look at dog ramps in stores and have come close to tears over the prices, its time to get your craft hat on and start DIYing! There are so many awesome DIY dog ramps you can make and there are plans to suit every skill level. Even if youre a complete beginner, youre sure to find something you and your dogs will love. We hope that these awesome DIY dog ramp plans have left you feeling inspiredgood luck!

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Featured Image Credit: Dagmar Breu, Shutterstock

DIY Dog Ramp: How to Make A Ramp For Your Canine

There are plenty of reasons why you may want to build a dog ramp for your pooch.

Maybe you have a senior dog who has a tough time getting around. Or perhaps your dog is in a canine wheelchair, or is otherwise disabled and cant navigate steps easily.

Whatever the reason, ramps are a great mobility solution for your four-legged buddy.

Were highlighting a few of the best DIY options around. And if none of these are a perfect fit, you can always purchase a dog ramp. While some are quite fancy and on the expensive side, others are quite affordable.

DIY Dog Ramp #1: This Old House

This Old House offers a fairly straightforward design for building your own DIY dog ramp. This design relies on a wood structure and a carpeted top.

Skill Level: Advanced

Materials: Wood / Plywood / Box Hinge Hardware / Non Slip Rug

Tools Needed: Jigsaw / Clamps / Drill

DIY Dog Ramp #2: Sweet & Simple From Instructables

This DIY dog ramp from Instructables is as simple and easy as it gets (and cheap too)! This ramp doesnt require sawing, drilling, or any woodshop skill whatsoever. Its just a matter of purchasing some cheap wire shelves, an outdoor carpet, and a little bit of MacGyver-ing magic.

Skill Level: Easy

Materials: Wire Shelving from Home Depot (+Rubber Ends) / Zip Ties / Outdoor Carpet

Tools Needed: Awe

DIY Dog Ramp #3: Fox & Brie

Heres another fairly simpleDIY dog ramp from Fox & Brie. This was created for less than $40, and it looks fantastic! This is a great project for someone who has a few power tools lying around but isnt a pro.

Skill Level: Medium

Materials: Wood / Outdoor Carpeting / Waterproof Paint

Tools Needed: Outdoor Carpet Glue / Power Screwdriver / Power Saw / Tape Measure / Paint Brush

DIY Dog Ramp #4: Indoor Dog Ramp For Furniture

This dog ramp DIY project comes from Irresistible Pets. This design is specifically for indoor use, and is intended to help a dog get up onto a higher surface like a bed or couch.

Skill Level: Medium / Advanced

Materials: Wood / Plywood / Carpet

Tools Needed: Circular Saw / Power Drill / Sand Paper / Tape Measure / Carpet Tape

Dog Ramp #5: My Repurposed Life

Weve got another great set of dog ramp instructions from My Repurposed Life! This one is another great project for folks who are semi-handy, but not power tool pros.

Skill Level: Medium

Materials: Old Cabinet Door / Plywood / Metal Hinge / Scrap Carpet

Tools Needed: Box Cutter / Scissors / Drill / Screw Driver / Staple Gun

Heres a little video of it in action with Gails dog Louie!

Other DIY Dog Ramp Options

In addition to the tutorials mentioned above, there are some great dog ramp DIY videos on YouTube worth checking out as well.

This dog ramp from Make Something is awesome because it can double as storage space! However, it will definitely need to be made by someone with some experience using heavy woodwork machinery.

If youre looking for an affordable DIY dog pool ramp, definitely check out this video from Lee Rickard he was able to make his own just by using a pool noodle float and an industrial kitchen mat. Doesnt get much easier than that! However, if youd rather buy one, we review some of our top picks for the best dog pool and boat ramps here!

Do you have any other great doggie DIY videos you want to share? Put them in the comments so others can check them out!

Interested in more DIY dog projects? Try our guides to: