How to Make a Dog Ramp

Dog ramps are usually used for elderly dogs that cannot walk up steps or climb into a vehicle. Dog ramps can be stationary (from the door to the outside of the house), or they can be movable. Movable ramps are the best, especially if you take your dog on trips with you and have a vehicle that is hard to access because of its height. Dog ramps are also used for smaller dogs to make it easy for them to exit and enter the home at will (if they have a dog door). Making a dog ramp is not very involved.

Things You'll Need

• Wood
• ½-inch screws
• 1½-inch screws
• Deck stain

Instructions

1. Decide on the length needed for your particular application. The ramp should be at least 2 feet wide, especially if you have a larger dog. Purchase the materials in the size needed: enough 2 x 4-inch boards for the length of the ramp and a piece of ½-inch plywood for the ramp itself. Also purchase enough ¼ x 1-inch slats.

2. Cut the 2 x 4-inch boards to the length needed. Both are cut to the same length. Determine the width of the ramp. Cut the plywood to the proper width, making sure it is wide enough to cover the two 2 x 4-inch boards.

3. Lay the plywood on top of the boards. Make sure the edge of the plywood lines up evenly with the edges of the 2 x 4-inch boards. Using the 1½-inch screws, screw the plywood to the 2 x 4-inch boards, staggering the screws from the top to the bottom of the ramp on both sides.

4. Cut the slats to the width of the ramp. Using the ½-inch screws, screw the slats in every 12 inches, from the top of the ramp to the bottom of the ramp. The slats help keep the dog from sliding on the ramp.

5. Sand all rough areas of the ramp, including the edges and the slats.

6. Flip the ramp over. Stain the bottom of it with deck stain. Allow it to dry according to the instructions on the brand of stain you use. Flip the ramp over again, and then stain the top of it. Staining the ramp keeps the wood from rotting over time.

Tips & Warnings

• Always screw in from the top. If the points of the screws make their way through the wood, they can pierce the dog's paws.