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 can’t navigate steps easily.
Whatever the reason, ramps are a great mobility solution for your four-legged buddy.
We’re 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 doesn’t require sawing, drilling, or any woodshop skill whatsoever. It’s 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
Here’s another fairly simple DIY 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 isn’t 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
We’ve 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
Here’s a little video of it in action with Gail’s 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 you’re 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. Doesn’t get much easier than that! However, if you’d 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:
6 Comments
April 18, 2021
A well detailed and helpful article. Thank you for sharing, it’s
bound to help lots of people out there. You always post useful info, some of
which I share on Twitter.
April 19, 2021
Glad you liked the article, Aurora!
We appreciate you sharing it too.
🙂
July 31, 2019
I’m looking for some type of ramp that I can take my English bulldog in my truck with me I drive tractor trailer and she is too heavy for me to keep picking up.
Thx
June 23, 2019
I am looking for a ramp I can put on my inside stairs, have a split foyer home. Looking for a ramp to bring a wagon up and down the stairs. Only way I can think of to bring her up and down the stairs to take outside to pee. Right now, I am taking her down with a harness, hard on my back. We are in living room so I am thinking of a wagon or cart to put her in and then transport her down ramp. Any suggestions on carts to put her on? A garden cart or wagon? Thank you so much. I am so overwhelmed.
June 24, 2019
Hey, Linda. Sorry you’re having trouble helping your pooch in and out of the house. I’d just go down to your local hardware store and check out the garden carts, wheelbarrows and wagons they have. You may need to make some modifications (like adding a Velcro safety strap to keep your pooch safely inside), but I bet you can figure out something that will work. You may also want to check out our article about backpack carriers or mobility aids.
Best of luck!
March 24, 2018
Thank-you for all the great ideas!!! We already have a wite shelf and left over carpet!!! Now it’s time to get building!!!