Looking After Those Little Legs (and That Long Back!)

Before Winston came into our lives, we’d heard people mention IVDD a few times, but we never really appreciated just how important it was to think about protecting a dachshund’s back.

From day one, we made a promise to ourselves that we’d do everything we reasonably could to help keep him safe.

That meant setting boundaries early.

We’ve never encouraged Winston to jump off furniture, and we’ve always lifted him down if he couldn’t use a ramp. We know that’s not possible every single second of every day, but we’ve tried to make it part of his routine from the very beginning.

Every family is different. Some dachshunds sleep on the bed, some aren’t allowed upstairs, some travel everywhere in the car, and others don’t. There’s no right or wrong – it’s about finding what works for you and your dog.

For us, Winston isn’t allowed on our bed, so we’ve never needed a bedroom ramp. Instead, we’ve focused on the places he uses every single day, like getting onto the sofa and going in and out of the garden.

Do All Dachshunds Need a Ramp?

We don’t think every dachshund needs a ramp.

But we do think most owners will probably find one useful somewhere around the house.

A ramp isn’t a guarantee that your dog will never develop IVDD, but if it helps reduce repeated impact on their spine over the years, we think it’s a simple change that’s worth considering.

Combined with keeping them at a healthy weight, using a well-fitting harness and lifting them correctly, it’s just another way of looking after their long little back.

The Ramps We Use with Winston

Every home is different, so the “best” ramp really depends on where your dachshund needs a little extra help.

These are simply the ramps we’ve chosen for Winston and why they’ve worked so well for us. We use them every day, and they’ve become part of his normal routine. They might not be the perfect fit for everyone, but hopefully they’ll give you a few ideas if you’re looking for a solution in your own home.

Street Solutions UK Rubber Kerb Ramp

Best for: Kitchen doors, garden doors, steep steps and outdoor access.

View the Street Solutions UK Rubber Kerb Ramp on Amazon

For our kitchen and garden door, we use the Street Solutions UK Rubber Kerb Ramp.

It isn’t technically a dog ramp, but for us, it has been one of the best solutions for helping Winston get in and out of the garden safely.

Our kitchen/garden step is quite steep, so we wanted something sturdy that would sit securely in place and not wobble or slide around. This ramp is quite heavy, but that’s actually one of the reasons we like it. It feels stable when Winston uses it, doesn’t slip easily, and because it’s designed for outdoor use, it holds up well in all weathers.

We also like that it comes in different sizes and heights, which makes it easier to find something that suits your doorway or step.

What we like

• Very sturdy and stable.
• Heavy enough that it doesn’t move around easily.
• Good for steep kitchen or garden steps.
• Designed for outdoor use.
• Available in different sizes/heights.
• Gives Winston a clear route in and out instead of trying to jump the step.

Things to consider

• It is heavy, so it’s not something you’d want to keep moving around.
• It takes up more space than a small indoor pet ramp.
• Because it’s not specifically designed as a dog ramp, you need to make sure the size and incline suit your dog and your doorway.

2. ROMROL Dog Stairs 3 Step Non-Slip Pet Steps

Best for: Sofas and lower indoor furniture.

View the ROMROL Dog Stairs 3 Step Non-Slip Pet Steps on Amazon

For the sofa, we use the ROMROL Dog Stairs 3 Step Non-Slip Pet Steps.

Although they are technically pet steps rather than a traditional ramp, they work really well for Winston because the steps are soft, shallow and easy for him to use. For us, they’ve been a great way of giving him access to the sofa without him needing to jump up or down.

We were a little unsure about foam-style steps at first, as you do wonder whether they’ll feel sturdy enough, but we’ve honestly been really impressed. They feel much firmer than we expected, Winston seems confident using them, and they’re soft under his paws, which makes them a nice option for indoor use.

They also look much nicer in the living room than some of the plastic-style steps and ramps we looked at.

What we like

• Sturdier than we expected for foam steps.
• Good height for sofa access.
• Soft underfoot.
• Easy for Winston to use.
• Lightweight enough to move around if needed.
• Looks nice in the house.
• Helps keep sofa access consistent without jumping.

Things to consider

• Because they’re foam, they may not suit larger or heavier dogs as well as they suit smaller breeds like dachshunds.
• They are steps rather than a smooth ramp.
• They are better suited to sofas and lower furniture than very high beds.
• They do take up a bit of floor space.

Our Honest Thoughts

These are the two ramps we actually use with Winston, and we would genuinely recommend both for the purposes we use them for.

The Street Solutions ramp has been brilliant for our kitchen/garden step because it’s heavy, stable and weather-resistant.

The ROMROL Dog steps/ramp has been great for the sofa because it’s sturdy, soft and easy for Winston to use every day.

As always, we’d recommend measuring your space carefully before buying any ramp and thinking about the height your dachshund needs to climb. A ramp that works perfectly in one home might not be quite right in another, so the safest option is always the one that gives your dog a gentle, stable and confident route up and down.

What We Look For in Any Dachshund Ramp

After using ramps ourselves, these are the things we’d recommend looking for.

✔ A gentle slope rather than something steep.

✔ Plenty of grip for little paws.

✔ A solid, stable feel that won’t move around.

✔ A length that makes climbing easy.

✔ Something that suits where you’ll actually use it.

Sometimes a traditional dog ramp is perfect. Other times, like with our garden step, a car kerb ramp can actually work better.

Other Popular Options Worth Considering

These aren’t ramps we personally use with Winston, so we wouldn’t want to pretend we’ve tested them ourselves.

That said, they are popular options that may suit different homes, dogs and routines. We’ve included them because they each solve a slightly different problem, whether that’s sofa access, bed access, car access or something more heavy-duty.

As always, we’d recommend measuring your space carefully and checking the height, length, weight limit, and grip before buying.

Quick Comparison

PetSafe CozyUp Bed Ramp

Best for: Beds and higher indoor furniture.

View the PetSafe CozyUp Bed Ramp

The PetSafe CozyUp Bed Ramp could be a good option for dachshund owners who allow their dog on the bed and want a more permanent indoor ramp.

We don’t let Winston on our bed, so this isn’t something we personally need. But for homes where dachshunds do sleep on the bed, a proper bedside ramp can be a much better option than allowing them to jump up and down.

Pros

• Designed for bed access.
• A proper ramp rather than steps.
• Carpeted surface for grip.
• More furniture-like than some plastic ramps.
• Useful if your dachshund sleeps on the bed every night.

Cons

• Likely to take up a fair amount of floor space.
• More expensive than basic foam steps.
• Not needed if your dachshund doesn’t go on the bed.
• You’ll need to check the height works with your specific bed.

DoggoRamps Wooden Dog Ramp

Best for: A more premium indoor ramp that looks nice in the home.

View DoggoRamps

The DoggoRamps range is probably one of the nicest-looking options if you want something that feels more like furniture than pet equipment.

They offer different ramps for sofas and beds, so this could be a good choice for owners who want a sturdy, long-term indoor setup and don’t mind paying more for something that blends in with their home.

Pros

• Very smart-looking compared with many pet ramps.
• Designed with small dogs in mind.
• Good option if you want something more permanent.
• Available in different styles for sofas and beds.
• Some models include safety rails or adjustable height options.

Cons

• More expensive than most basic ramps or foam steps.
• Heavier and less easy to move around.
• May be more than you need for occasional use.
• UK availability, delivery costs and import fees may vary, so check before ordering.

PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping Dog Ramp

Best for: Cars, vans, SUVs and travel.

View the PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping Dog Ramp

The PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping Dog Ramp is designed for helping dogs get in and out of vehicles.

We don’t drive, so this isn’t something we personally use, but it could be a good option for dachshund owners who regularly take their dog in the car and want to avoid lifting them every time.

Pros

• Designed specifically for vehicle access.
• Telescoping design makes it easier to store.
• Lightweight compared with many heavy-duty ramps.
• Good option for regular car journeys.
• More practical than indoor ramps for boot/car access.

Cons

• Not really needed if you don’t use a car.
• Probably too long or bulky for most indoor spaces.
• The incline will depend on the height of your vehicle.
• Some dogs may need time and confidence training before using it.

PetSTEP Folding Pet Ramp

Best for: Heavy-duty use, larger dogs or multi-dog households.

View the PetSTEP Folding Pet Ramp

The PetSTEP Folding Pet Ramp is a more heavy-duty option. It’s probably more than most dachshund-only homes would need, but it could be useful if you have more than one dog, a larger dog as well as a dachshund, or need something very sturdy.

Pros

• Heavy-duty build.
• Suitable for larger dogs as well as small dogs.
• Folding design for storage.
• Designed for indoor and outdoor use.
• Good option if stability is your main priority.

Cons

• Likely to be heavier and bulkier than smaller ramps.
• May be overkill for one miniature dachshund.
• Not the prettiest option for indoor living spaces.
• UK availability may vary.

Gen7Pets Natural-Step Ramp

Best for: Vehicle access with a softer walking surface.

View the Gen7Pets Natural-Step Ramp at Pets at Home

The Gen7Pets Natural-Step Ramp is another vehicle-style ramp, but what makes it a little different is the grass-like walking surface.

This may feel more natural for some dogs under their paws compared with rougher grip surfaces. It could be a good option if your dachshund is nervous on hard or slippery ramps.

Pros

• Grass-like grip surface may feel more natural.
• Designed for vehicle access.
• Folds for storage.
• Useful for dogs who dislike rougher ramp textures.
• Available through some UK retailers.

Cons

• More suited to car use than sofa or bed use.
• May not be long enough for every vehicle height, depending on the model.
• Not as furniture-friendly for indoor spaces.
• Some owners may prefer a rubber or carpeted surface.

Solvit PupSTEP Plus Pet Steps

Best for: Lightweight portable steps.

View the Solvit PupSTEP Plus Pet Steps on Amazon

The Solvit PupSTEP Plus Pet Steps are stairs rather than a ramp, so they wouldn’t be our first choice if you specifically want a smooth incline.

However, some dachshunds do cope well with shallow steps, especially if they’re confident, controlled and not jumping from the top. They could be useful for owners who want something lightweight and easy to fold away.

Pros

• Lightweight.
• Foldable for storage.
• Built-in side rails.
• Easy to move around the house.
• Could suit dogs who prefer steps to ramps.

Cons

• They are steps, not a ramp.
• Still involves stepping up and down rather than walking along a smooth incline.
• May not be ideal for dachshunds with existing back or mobility concerns.
• Some dogs may try to skip steps if they get excited.

Helping Your Dachshund Get Used to a Ramp

Like most new things, don’t expect them to fall in love with it immediately.

Winston definitely gave ours a suspicious look at first, and a bit of a chew!

What worked best for us was simply leaving it out so he could investigate it in his own time and become used to it.

Lots of praise, plenty of treats and keeping everything positive soon helped him realise the ramp wasn’t anything to worry about.

Starting with the ramp on its lowest setting (or on a low piece of furniture) can also help build confidence before moving on to bigger heights.

Our Final Thoughts

Every dachshund owner wants the same thing – for their little best friend to stay happy and healthy for as long as possible.

For us, using ramps has become part of everyday life.

Whether it’s getting onto the sofa or going outside into the garden, we’ve tried to remove as many unnecessary jumps as we reasonably can.

Will that guarantee Winston never has back problems? Unfortunately, no one can promise that.

But if making a few small changes today can help reduce unnecessary strain over the years, then we think it’s well worth doing.

At Dax & Hound Co., we’ll only ever recommend products we’ve genuinely used or believe are worth considering. Everything we share comes from our own experiences with Winston and the things we’ve learnt along the way, in the hope it helps other dachshund owners too.