DIY Pet Ramp
Ramps can help very small dogs, or aging cats and dogs with mobility-hampering conditions such as arthritis, to navigate their environment more easily. If your pet loses its ability to climb stairs or to reach places it used to enjoy, such as the bed, a windowsill or a spot beside you on the couch, it's time to consider adding a ramp.
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Simple is Better
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Elaborate pet ramps are available for a price but a ramp doesn't have to be costly, fancy or even pretty. Pets are far more interested in function than form. The only requirements for a ramp are that it be wide and strong enough, stable and non-slip.
You can use a piece of scrap lumber, or buy a plank cut to the appropriate length at any home-improvement store. Select the width and thickness based on the pet's size. A Great Dane would need a much sturdier, wider ramp than a cat or a Chihuahua.
The board must be just long enough to go from the floor to the pet's destination without having too steep an incline. Use a tape measure to figure out the length you need.
To make your pet feels sure-footed ascending or descending the ramp, the board needs a surface paws can grip.
For example, a ramp does double duty for a cat if you cover it with a piece of carpet because the cat also will use it as a scratching post. You can glue the carpet down, but when the cat shreds it, you'll also have to replace the board. Using a staple gun or small nails to attach the carpet makes it easier to pull off and replace. Whatever you use, make sure no points are left sticking out.
If your cat sleeps on your bed, even if it's young and healthy, a ramp placed at the foot of the bed enables the cat to come and go without jumping and jostling you.
A dog ramp may have a rubber surface, like the mats used in showers or a rubber runner you can buy by the yard.
A third option is to glue or nail small strips of wood across the board every few inches to keep your pet's feet from sliding.
Training
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Once built, it's time to teach your pet to use the ramp. Some animals grasp the concept immediately. Others must be coaxed. Place yourself at the top of the ramp and try to lure the animal up with treats. If it works, lavish praise. Do the process in reverse to get your pet down. Sooner or later, using the ramp should become routine.
Adding ramps to your pet's environment can provide several more years of comfortable mobility. You can even lay a ramp on a flight of stairs or keep one in the car.
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