This indoor pet ramp makes me so excited! My little Louie is getting older and it’s been difficult for him to jump up onto the couch. I searched online for hours looking to buy some stairs or something to help him out. Then I realized a pet ramp would be better than stairs as he gets older, so why not just go that route now. But I really couldn’t find anything and what I did find was too expensive and bulky. So, being the DIY maven that I am, I got busy!
Click here to see more ideas for aging or geriatric pets below.
Repurposed Cabinet Door for Indoor Pet Ramp
This is my stash of cabinet doors, most of which I got from a good friend in Indiana for FREE! Thank you Shannon! You can see the blue arrow pointing to a tall narrow one.
Testing out the cabinet doors
I actually tried out two different doors. One being longer and more narrow. The other being wider and shorter.
I ended up going with the one on the left.
Materials for Indoor Pet Ramp
- Cabinet Door
- Small Piece of Plywood
- Piano Hinge and screws
- Carpet Remnant
- Staple Gun
- Utility Knife
- Scissors
- Duct Tape (optional)
- Paint Stick (optional)
- Wood Glue (optional)
I gathered up the rest of the items needed for this ramp project for my aging pet. I grabbed a scrap piece of plywood and a piece of a piano hinge left over from another project.
Measurements of the Indoor Pet Ramp
These are the measurements for my ramp. 34” ended up being perfect for my couch height and the space in front of the couch. The depth of the plywood will be determined by your sofa cushion.
Install Piano Hinge
I drilled small pilot holes in the plywood and the cabinet door so I could secure the piano hinge. I only put in a couple of screws on each board so I could do a dry fit.
This is the dry fit. I decided the aging pet ramp may work better if I switched the hinge to be on the underneath side of the cabinet door instead of the top side.
To cover screw tips-use a paint stick
After securing all of the screws, I found out the hard way that they protruded on the back side of the plywood. (note the small red finger print) To protect fingers and the fabric on the couch I cut a paint stick to size and glued it over the points of the screws.
Low pile carpet remnant
Because I never throw anything away—I had this roll of scrap carpet in the basement just waiting for a purpose.
Trim carpet to size
The carpet scrap fit around the cabinet board (ramp) perfectly. I just had to cut it to length with a box cutter and scissors.
Duct tape provides a temporary hold
As a temporary solution I used some Gorilla tape to secure the carpet on the pet ramp. I wanted to make sure Louie the nervous Nellie would actually use it before I made it permanent.
Staple carpet in place
After realizing that Louie was indeed going to enjoy the ramp, I needed to make the ramp more permanent, by stapling the carpet. The bottom portion of the carpet was cut and tucked much like you would wrap a present. You can see the little corner I cut off on the left.
Did you know Louie has a bad heart? yep, he’s been on several heart meds. The things I do for that baby. 
Indoor pet ramp for sofa
This is how the ramp now looks under the cushion of the love seat. I didn’t bother to paint the plywood since it won’t be seen. (you can see the paint stick that covers up the screw points)
During the holidays while Jamie and Andy were visiting, I was able to sit here, using the ramp as a little foot rest. That being said, the ramp is very portable and easy to remove and store (under the sofa) when not needed. I doubt that I will be storing it very often because it’s working so well for Louie.
Now that I have built the ramp, Louie can always have his favorite view on the back of the love seat—that is when Matt isn’t hogging it.
Not only does the ramp help him with jumping up on the couch, it also saves his joints the jolt when he jumps off the couch. It makes me smile every time he travels up or down the ramp. It may not look like it, but it’s even wide enough for him to turn around if he changes his mind while going up or down.
DIY Indoor Pet Ramp
You can see in this video that Louie took to the pet ramp on the sofa right away! I was shocked and amazed. For about 2 years I’ve been picking Louie up so he can get on the love seat with me. You can see he likes to lay on the back of the love seat so he can look out the window.
Options for geriatric pets
- Remove a Cushion If you have fur babies you know we’ll do anything we can to help them out in their old age. On the other side of the room there is a couch with three cushions. When I’m not around, Louie will look out that window. He jumps to the spot where I have removed the cushion, jumps on the seat, then walks over to the arm of the couch and climbs up much like he does in the video above.
- Take the feet off your sofa If you have these issues, another option would be to remove the feet from your furniture. My former couch was about 1 1/2 inches lower to the ground, making it easier for this little guy. Sometimes just an inch or two makes a big difference for your geriatric pet.
- For the bedroom, add a bench To help your pooch get on the bed, you can repurpose a coffee table into a bench.
Time to bring the pet ramp out of storage
EDITED TO ADD
I had to say goodbye to my sweet Louie on 2.11.15.
On 6.19.16 I brought home this sweet bundle of joy! Meet Lulu Mae!
Lulu Mae loves Louie’s indoor pet ramp, at only 8 weeks old she immediately started using the ramp to get on and off the couch whenever she chooses! It sure has made life easier, and I’m glad I stored it in the basement. I love this little one so much, but you probably know that a new pet never replaces the love you have for the best friend you had to say goodbye to. I still miss Louie every day.
UPDATE
After storing the ramp in the basement, I had to bring it out again. Lulu Mae developed some knee issues. I brought the indoor puppy ramp back out for her. It will make it easier on her so she (like Louie) doesn’t experience that jolt while jumping off the couch. In addition, Matt (the cat) is now aging and he also appreciates the ramp.
What “something special” do you do for your furbabies?
gail
ps See more Pet Projects Here Have some extra cabinet doors? See repurposed cabinet door projects here.
Do you have any suggestions for my cat to jump onto my bed? I’ve been setting a chair next to the bed. A ramp wont fit…bedroom is too small.
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
This is a great design! May I make one suggestion for those who don’t have a carpet remnant and are going to buy the carpeting to make a ramp? Try to find a carpet which is cut pile rater than looped, or failing that, try to find the tiniest loops possible. Years ago we had a dog get a toenail caught in a looped carpet and it was an expensive vet visit and lesson. I’ve never since purchased a loop carpet.
Folks might check thrift stores and sales for an oriental-style carpet. Most of them are quite plush but cut vs looped.
That’s a great point you make! I appreciate that suggestion.
gail
I love this idea and I’m going to use it for my best friend Rocco who is going to be 14 this year and I’ve had him since he was a pup. Just wondering if you did anything to secure it or does it pretty much stay in place without being attached to the sofa or the floor? PS I worry about the day I have to say goodbye to my Rocco everyday,and reading your post made me cry like a little baby. Thank you for sharing this.
Jo,
I’m sorry my story made you cry. I understand how close our pets are to family. As I said I used it when Lulu Mae was a pup, but now it’s back in use because of a knee injury earlier in the year. When I tried to remove it recently she looked at me like “how do I get on the couch”. Now Matt (cat) is also using it, so I continue to step over it every time I get off the couch. 🙂 what we do for our babies, right?
This system is very secure. The only drawback is that I won’t let anyone sit on that cushion that is on the heavy side because I’m afraid the plywood will puncture the lining on the sofa. I sit there when an extra spot is needed, but that doesn’t happen often.
The end of my ramp is on a rug. If yours rests on a floor, you may want to put a non-skid carpet pad on the end of the ramp.
The carpet has clearly worn in the middle of the path they always take. I’m so happy to have this, and I’m very happy you found it and will be able to put it to good use.
gail
Aww… I just found your post. I was sad to read that you lost Louie! I loved the video of him climbing on the back of the couch, just like my Scootie the Puggle does! I have a permanent sunk in spot where he likes to perch! I’ve got to make him a ramp as he has an injured ACL and can’t jump anymore. I love your plan. Looks simple and effective. Thanks so much and hugs to your newest furbaby!
I am so happy you found this project Becky. It sounds like it’s a good plan for your Scootie. Lulu Mae is still using it with the cushion removed as she’s still too small to make that jump onto the cushion at the top of the ramp. She sure does love having the flexibility to get on the couch whenever she wants.
Sometimes she even “asks” me to put her on the “perch” to look out the window.
good luck and have fun with your project. Let me know if you have any questions.
gail
Louie was obviously a very well loved companion. I am so sorry for your loss. I am going to make one of these for our 12 year old Corgi. Every day I have to lift her on and off the sofa to snuggle with us.
My dog Beethoven injured his back jumping from furniture. I’m looking for options to prevent that from happening again and this post was the best I found so far. Will definitely try out.
Now, for other dog parents, I really encourage them to not allow their pups jump on/off furniture. The risk is too high. Do use ramps! Here’s a video a made telling what happened to my dog as a warning for others: http://goo.gl/Jc7x7B
I’m glad you found it helpful. It worked so well for my Louie.
gail
Can you tell us the actual width of the ramp?
Helene,
It’s not real wide, about the width of a standard cabinet door. I’m not using the ramp anymore because I had to say goodbye to my little Louie a year ago. So he only got to use his ramp a couple of months.
gail
Louie is adorable! Love the video. I really like the use of the door! I used plywood for my dachshund with a carpet to get him over any steps he needed when he had a back injury. Should he ever need one again, I’m using your idea! Thank you!!!
🙂
This is the most creative idea ever! As a mom to many furbabies, I commend you. We have a nine year old Golden, an eight year old Lab, two nine month old pups (one Aussie and one terrier mix). We also have a cat, a hedgehog, frogs, and a potbelly pig. While the two older dogs don’t get on the furniture, the two young ones have the run of the household lol.
Thank you so much for your comment…. it put a smile on my face this morning! 🙂
Louie loves the ramp as much as I do. When I came home from the store recently, he was on the back of the couch, saw me round the corner, and I could experience his excitement of seeing me arrive. Before I built the ramp, he was unable to get on the couch while I wasn’t home.
What a fun household you have!
gail
I commented on FB about how cute your video was but I wanted to tell you again how awesome this is again! I bet Louie loves it. And all from scraps! Amazing.
What a great idea and job so meticulous. Another idea that spawns others. For 5 a door at Restore, I can see using them to build a unique cat post. My dog was 150 lbs, not sure if this would work but worth trying in the future. I bought plastic car ramps for 30 to make it easy for him to be with me on the bed at night. They worked well with a rug underneath to keep from sliding and another on the top…for those with big dogs.
A special DIY project for your special boy. One of my cats is 15 and is starting to have trouble jumping up on the bed or sofa. We might need to add a stool for her soon.
LOL how adorable! <3 Happy New Year!
Susan
Make sure Louie is getting enough oil in his diet. Years ago, my chiropractor’s cocker spaniel was dying of heart failure, and I told him I’d read somewhere that oil can help for humans. He added some oil to the dog’s food and it bounced back and lived for months longer than predicted. It might have been olive oil or flax seed oil — or something else–I can’t remember. It’s worth searching on “diet” and “heart health” to see what comes up.
Thank you Sandra for that tip. I will look into it. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know.
gail
This is such a great project, Gail. I love your video, and what a well trained cutie you have there! A star is born!
Your ramp is just wonderful and Louie is the perfect little model to show how it works!
Hi Gail! Hope you had a Great Christmas.
I have a new little dog, named MeMe, who struggles to get up on my sofa or bed. She hops and hops and hops on her back legs and then finally jumps up. I think a ramp like yours would be perfect for her.
She weighs about 9 pounds and is only a year old but seems to have a problem getting up on things. She can run around the yard forever but jumping on sofas is not her favorite thing to do.
The ramp you made for Louie is awesome. Are you making anymore for sale?
Thanks,
Jan
What a great way to help out a beloved pet!
How nice of you! Love is not love until you give it away.
Gail –
Always a pleasure reading your posts. Was curious about the Ryobi tool I saw in one of the photos – can you let me know what it is?
Thanks!
Kelly
Kelly
It is an airstrike stapler. I have the brad nailer and the stapler. The stapler worked perfect for this carpet. Easy to use, and very powerful even though it runs off a battery. No compressor to drag around.
Ryobi is sold exclusively at Home Depot, but also available on Amazon.
gail
Love it! I’m glad you’re using the doors 🙂
Love this project!!! I can see us needing to do this for our pup in a few more years.
Gail this is excellent, Louie is crazy cute and obviously loves his new ramp! 🙂 Thank you!!!