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The Wonderful World of Dog Steps

December 10, 2009 By scribe Leave a Comment

You might be fiddling around with the idea of getting your dog a set of pet steps. If so, you’re probably concerned about the sturdiness of the steps…and maybe a little worried that it’s going to look ghastly with your living room décor. Don’t fret—we’ve written this article to show you that pet stairs come not only in a variety of materials, but also in a variety of finishes.

If you have already had a look around the Internet at dog stairs, you’ve probably noticed that the three main core materials available in dog stairs are plastic, metal, and wood. Let’s start this chat by addressing plastic steps. If you will have more than one use for your pet steps, such as moving them between a couch and a chair (that are the same height), as well as aiding your dog in and out of your car, then you might find the lightweight feature of plastic stairs a particular benefit. Just a bit of fair warning: most plastic steps require some sort of assembly, depending on the brand and type of steps, and they also usually come in a limited range of colors (tan). With plastic steps, you have to be particularly conscious of the weight restrictions; a smaller weight capacity is definitely a down side to most plastic stairs.

Our next material is metal. Metal steps are very sturdy and can hold a great deal of weight, making safe for pets of all sizes to use. Metal is still lightweight, but not so much as plastic steps—but at least you don’t sacrifice durability and sturdiness! Many metal dog stairs boast a collapsible feature, meaning it can fold in on itself to lay flat. This is great if you like to store it in your car or a small place when it’s not in use. If you have a need for flexibility in incline (adjustable height feature), you might want to consider a model that locks at several different inclines. This is especially handy if you want to use it for different cars. You’re probably wondering why I’ve mentioned cars twice. Well, metal steps are usually used for loading pets into cars—which is why they’re usually referred to as “pet loaders.” Sure, you can use them in your home, but they tend to add a “cold” feel to the room.

Last, and probably the most popular choice in pet stair material, is wood. Wood dog steps are extremely durable. They can hold an excessive amount of weight and they won’t easily be knocked over. Many come with padded steps to prevent your pet from slipping and to add just a touch of comfort to his movements. They also come in a variety of colored wood and carpeted finish. The color range of carpeting is vast, so no matter what your décor requires, there’s a color to suit it!

Now that you’re aware of the different types of pet stairs, your luck in choosing the best stairs for your pet should be a little smoother. Good luck and happy shopping!

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Where to Find Pet Stairs

December 10, 2009 By scribe Leave a Comment

Hunting for the perfect set of stairs for your dog doesn’t have to be a stressful experience–as long as you know where to look. There are two main places that you can conduct your shopping, and that is either on the Internet or in one of your local stores. There are benefits to using either shopping method, but you might find that one better suits your needs than the other. To help make your decision a little easier, we’ve written this guide pointing out the most obvious advantages and disadvantages to both in-store and online shopping.

Your Budget

The amount that you have to spend will ultimately determine where you make your dog stair purchase. Unless you have a pet furniture store in your hometown, you might be surprised that any pet stairs you run across in a local shop will probably cost a bit more than you were expecting to spend. This is because traditional retail stores–especially those that aren’t of the “chain” variety–can only afford to keep stock of the things that their local consumers purchase regularly. Unfortunately, pet stairs haven’t become quite that popular yet. Thank goodness for the Internet, which allows businesses to offer a niche product and still make money because their “local customer base” include every continent with Internet access. You can browse online and compare prices of several stores in minutes. Not bad!

Decisions, Decisions…

The beauty of shopping online for your pet stairs is that you have a large selection right at your fingertips. This is especially helpful if you are looking for something out of the ordinary–a particular finish, color, weight capacity, etc. You can use a search query on most sites to instantly weed out the steps that don’t meet your needs. If you’re looking for large dog stairs, your search for such will pull up only the products that match that criteria. You might not be in the market for cherry wood steps with a weight capacity of 300 pounds, but the option is likely out there on the Internet somewhere. The variety offered in your local pet shops is likely to be very limited, unless you’re lucky enough to find a shop that takes custom orders–which is not unheard of.

Assembly?

Assembling something–with or without instructions–is not a very fun process. Unfortunately, both online and traditional stores are more likely to sell their steps in an “assembly required” state. For local shops, it saves on warehouse and sales floor space if they don’t have a massive amount of pre-built steps lying around. For Internet-based businesses, it costs a great deal more in packaging and shipping to send a full-sized pet stair through the mail, so many online retailers also ship their pet steps flat-packed. Don’t feel as though you have to resign to the idea of spending hours on assembly for the sake of your pet. There are still online pet stair websites that ship their items pre-assembled, such as HelpYourPets.com, you just have to look around and even send an enquiry to see if it’s possible to have them built before shipment. One perk of ordering online and having the steps delivered, though is that home delivery means you can bypass having to load and unload the stairs from your car!

Now that you’re aware of your options, it’s time to start doing some research to weed through the possibilities. Remember, it’s much easier to find a supplier if you base your search on the three key points we mentioned above. Good luck with your purchase!

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The 411 on Choosing Pet Stairs

December 9, 2009 By scribe Leave a Comment

Picture this scenario: You’ve decided to buy your dog a set of pet stairs. You’re fairly confident that any type will do, so you hop onto Ebay and bid on the cheapest stairs available. Who cares if they’re shipping from Hong Kong? –The shipping is free on this auction! Four weeks later, your steps arrive in a small package. Okay…you weren’t expecting to have to assemble them yourself.  No matter—you get your tools together and chuck out the instructions which were written in a language you can’t even begin to decipher. Halfway through assembling the cheap plastic bits, you realize that it doesn’t look nearly as appealing—or safe—as it did in the auction picture. You carry it out to your SUV and nudge it up to the open door, only to be disheartened at the realization that the steps are way too short to accommodate your car. What are you going to use them for now? They’re too brittle to be used as an everyday stepping stool, and you’re not even sure they’re high enough to aid your dog in getting on the bed.

The best way to keep this from happening to you is to learn as much as you can about the requirements that your dog’s stairs will need to meet. Throughout this article you will need to ask yourself a few questions. These questions are important in narrowing down the possibilities for your dog based on his (and your) needs.

Question One: How heavy is your dog?

Your dog’s weight has a lot to do with choosing dog stairs because some steps have weight limitations. It’s best to simply narrow down your search starting by whether or not they can support your dog’s weight. Most stairs should have been tested to compensate for the amount of pressure a dog will exert onto the stairs when ascending and descending, so be sure to inquire if there isn’t a weight limitation posted on the box or the website, if you’re browsing online.

Question Two: What is your dog’s height/length?

Height and length has a lot to do with how safe the steps will be for your dog, as these generally determine the overall size of your dog. Could you imagine the result of putting a Great Dane on steps intended for a Chihuahua? Catastrophic! Your dog could stumble or fall from the stairs resulting in a serious injury. Check the width of the steps (from back to front) to make sure that there’s plenty of room for your dog to step. You can’t really get an accurate measure of your dog’s stride, but the general rule is as follows:

Large Breed: 16” Steps or Larger
Medium Breed: 14” Steps
Small Breed: 12” or Smaller

Question Three: What purpose will the steps be used for?

This, again, is very important to ensure that you get the correct steps for your needs. Do you need the steps to aid your dog in getting to your extra-high bed? Perhaps you should look into purchasing high pet steps. Will the stairs be used for the car? Lightweight, mobile pet stairs will likely be the best option for you. The best way to figure this out is to simply dust off your tape measure and measure the distance from the floor to the top of the surface your dog needs to access. If you’re using the stairs for your bed which is 2.5 feet from the floor, try to get stairs that meet this height—or get as close as you possibly can without going higher than the bed.

Your ultimate goal is to provide your dog with a safe and helpful way to get to and from places. It would be well worth the hassle of spending an extra hour or two searching for just the right steps for your dog.

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The “Joint” Benefits of Using Bedside Dog Steps

December 9, 2009 By scribe Leave a Comment

Have you ever jolted out of sleep—and likely one of the best dreams EVER—only to realize that the reason you awakened in the first place was because your dog pounced on the bed? Many of us dog owners are familiar with this scenario, and frankly, it can be a little difficult—especially in a fear & annoyance-induced stupor—to resist the urge to shove Spot right back down off the bed and demand that he sleep on the floor.

Even if you are overcome with annoyance when awakened by your dog, a part of you probably thinks back to all the times your dog snuggled with you while you cried or chilled out next to you while you watched The Godfather marathon on TCM. It just doesn’t seem right to suddenly deny your dog the tradition of sleeping with his favorite person—you!—when the reason he gets off the bed in the first place is likely to scope out the house to make sure you aren’t in danger. It’s completely natural for a dog to feel compelled to get up a few times during the night; he’s the watchman while the family sleeps. That being said, you DO need your sleep, which is why it’s highly suggested that you consider investing in a set of dog steps for beds.

As the bulk of your night time stress is in fact due to your mattress jolting as your dog jumps on and off the bed, then dog stairs are the perfect solution. Your dog is able to evenly distribute his weight from the stairs to your bed—and vice versa—so you needn’t feel a thing when your dog goes for his night time patrol. The fact that most pet steps are carpeted also means that the sounds from your dog’s movement will be completely muted.

Okay, so now that you know the comfort side of purchasing dog steps for beds, you should also know that dog stairs are a great way to prevent joint and bone ailments from impairing your dog in the future. This is especially true for large and small dog breeds. Larger dogs are prone to arthritis and hip dysplasia, and small dogs can develop spinal issues or even break bones by leaping from heights.

Now that you see the JOINT advantages (pun intended!) to purchasing dog steps for beds, you just need to make sure that you purchase the appropriate height of stairs for your bed. Getting stairs that are too short or tall for your bed will hardly make a difference if your dog has to jump to and from the stairs. So just make sure that you get the measurements from the floor to the top of your bed’s mattress. Best of luck with your “new” sleeping arrangement!

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Exercise Good Joint Care with Steps for Dogs

December 9, 2009 By scribe Leave a Comment

You might notice that your dog appears to put more effort into jumping to and from furniture and vehicles. We often believe that because dogs are animals, they can physically handle the simple act of jumping, but are you aware that repetitive leaping could result in the development of physical health issues later in your dog’s life? That’s why we aim to introduce you to the advantages of steps for dogs.

No matter what breed or size of dog you have, there are certain physical consequences that result from repetitive jumping. Every time your dog jumps down from something, his bones and joints absorb the shock of impact. Granted, he may only be leaping down from the sofa—which isn’t a fair height—but how many times a day does this happen? Multiply this by the number of days in his lifetime, and the result could be quite surprising! Physical hindrances such as arthritis and hip dysplasia can crop up earlier on in a dog’s life if his joints aren’t properly maintained.

You may be wondering if you should simply aid your dog onto the furniture by lifting him. This is not advisable, as lifting a dog repetitively can also result in spinal issues. Carrying a dog while he is a puppy isn’t really an issue, but as your dog grows and his bones have matured into the position they will be for the rest of his life, his body can’t cope as well with repetitive “unnatural” positioning.

An alternative is to simply purchase a good set of steps for dogs. With dog stairs, your pet has the option to efficiently distribute his weight smoothly—as if walking—so the issue of shock absorption is completely done away with. Many dog steps are carpeted, which allows your dog the safety of extra grip and comfort while descending. This is especially helpful if your dog is descending onto a hard surface such as wood or tile.

You may wonder why you should opt for “made-for-dogs” stairs, rather than a normal step-stool. Dog steps are specifically designed to accommodate the size of your dog both in terms of weight as well as his stride. Small dogs take smaller steps, therefore the width of their stair steps shouldn’t be any greater than 12 inches. Medium dogs should have a stair step width of 14 inches, and large dogs—with consider strides—should have at least 16 inch-wide steps. Providing your dog with steps that are either too large or too small could result in your dog tripping or falling off the stairs.

Large dogs and certain breeds are particularly at risk for developing joint problems as they grow older, so preventative care is a necessity in ensuring that these higher-risk dogs have a fair chance of staving off the bone/joint issues. Even if your dog is not at particular risk for such issues, he can still develop them from damage due to repetitive shock to his bones. The best thing you can do to prevent your dog from developing bone and joint disorders is to prevent the damage in the first place through the use of dog steps.

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Vaccinating Your Cat Against Disease

November 2, 2009 By scribe Leave a Comment

Even if your cat is indoors most of the time, he is still at risk of contracting one of the many serious illnesses that claim a large number of the feline population. In order to help stave off illnesses, you should have your cat vaccinated by your veterinarian. Read on to learn about when your cat should be vaccinated and what diseases a cat is most likely to contract.

Kittens receive antibodies from their mother through the milk they eat. Once a baby is weaned from his mother’s milk the protection from these antibodies begins to lessen. After a kitten reaches 20 weeks of age, there is usually no protection whatsoever from feline diseases without the help of a vaccination.

Your cat will receive about three different vaccinations that, as a whole, make up the “core” vaccination. The diseases covered in the core shots are:

Distemper – a potentially fatal disease that most cats will be exposed to in their lifetime. Brain damage and other issues can remain permanently in a kitten or cat who contracts and survives the illness.
Rhinotracheitis – a virus that causes respiratory infection. Vaccination does not prevent a cat from contracting this illness, but it can tone down the symptoms.
Calicivirus – respiratory virus that can cause symptoms of runniness in a cat’s eyes and nose for the rest of its life, even after treatment.
Rabies – a horrible disease that attacks the central nervous system, which can be spread through bites or scratches and is capable of being contracted by any mammal, including humans.

You might ask your vet if there are any “non-core” vaccinations recommended for your cat. These are vaccines for illnesses that certain breeds of cat can contract, or for illnesses that affect a certain area of the country.

The age that veterinarians most prefer to start the round of core injections is between 6 to 8 weeks old. After about three weeks, a second injection will be given, and then a third about three weeks after that. The process of injecting your cat causes very little harm other than a stinging or itching sensation around the area the shot was given. Your cat may seem a little under the weather for a bit, but this is a normal reaction to the vaccine. If your pet seems to have a severe reaction to the vaccine, take him to back to the vet. While it isn’t very common, some animals can have reactions to inoculations. A booster shot will be required a year after he receives the core vaccines, and then every few years after that to keep up his immunity.

For more information about raising a pet, or to purchase pet stairs, visit Help Your Pets.

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The Top Uses for Pet Stairs

November 1, 2009 By scribe Leave a Comment

Have you purchased a set of pet stairs for your dog, or are you considering doing so? You should know that you can get much more out of your steps than simply a means to help your dog safely access your furniture. We’re going to talk about just a few of the things we use our pet stairs for on a daily basis.

Have you ever heard of portable dog steps? Today’s modern designs of portable pet steps give new meaning to the term convenience! One type of portable pet step is made from a highly resilient type of foam. Some brands can actually support up to 300 pounds of weight! That’s enough to hold any dog! These steps are a perfect way to help your dog on and off high porches or in and out of tall cars. Other popular portable dog steps are made with either metal or plastic and usually can adjust in height to accommodate vehicles and other surfaces.

Aside from portable pet steps, there are many uses for your standard indoor steps, too! If you have a shorter breed of dog, try pushing the steps up against one of your windows. This is a great way for your dog to satisfy his nosiness at what’s going on outside. Find out the maximum weight limit on your steps. If they will hold you, you can use them for all sorts of chores around the house! I’m fairly short, so I’ve received tons of use out of my dog’s steps, including getting stuff on and off the top of the refrigerator, changing light bulbs, and giving my daughter a boost to the sink. If your pet stairs have a storage area, make good use of it! You can store pet toys and treats or any number of odds and ends! Don’t be afraid to get the most out of your steps!

For durable cat and dog steps, visit the Help Your Pets website.

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Get Your Cat to Use the Litter Box

November 1, 2009 By scribe Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever owned both a cat and a dog, you are probably aware that the ease of training a cat differs a great deal from training a dog. If you want to train your cat to use the litter box or a scratching post, then you have a fairly good chance of succeeding. Training a cat to use a human toilet or to sit simply are not very realistic goals to have, so it’s best to understand your cat’s limitations and stick within them.

It’s important that you understand the difference between a cat’s psychological attitude and a dog’s. Dogs are happy if they do something that pleases their owner. They are family-oriented and love to be included. Cat’s are quite the opposite in that they usually won’t do anything that doesn’t bring them personal satisfaction. They usually pick one “master” and aren’t too concerned whether they please anyone but themselves. You have to learn to play this attitude to benefit your training.

When training your cat to use the litter box, you have to make it an experience that he enjoys, or he won’t be keen on doing it again. First, go to great lengths to show him that the litter box is where he should go. You can do this by leaving traces of his soiled litter in there so he will associate it as a place he has used before. It is still important to clean the litter box regularly, but a few bits of soiled litter are okay until he gets the hang of using his box. Keep an eye on your cat and praise him when he uses the litter box. Cats usually respond better to physical praise rather than verbal, but a sweet “good boy!” and a nice stroke down his back will help to show him that there “something in it for him” when he uses the litter box.

Some pet stairs have hollow areas meant to store your litter box. This helps to keep your little box smell contained as well as to give your cat a quiet place to do his business. If your cat is comfortable in the space his litter box is placed, he will be more likely to use it.

If your concern is your cat’s habit of using your furniture or carpet as a scratching post, then pay attention! All cats have the impulse to scratch; it’s a form of exercise, helps to keep their claws in shape, and is a simple way of marking the things they like. There is an array of cat scratching posts available for you to choose from, but your cat’s personal preference may require you to go through a few before you find one that he likes. If your scratching post doesn’t already have catnip in or on it, try sprinkling or rubbing some along the post. This encourages playful behaviour in cats, so you might even consider attaching one of his favourite toys to the post. Also, consider the position of the post. If your cat spends a great deal of his time in your living room, place the post there where he is most likely to see and use it.

For more great tips on raising your cat or to purchase pet stairs with litter box storage, visit Help Your Pets.

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Building a Relationship With Your Dog

November 1, 2009 By scribe Leave a Comment

Have you recently added a new puppy to your family? If so, you might be stuck for ideas when it comes to building a solid relationship with him. Even if your dog isn’t a new addition, you may sense that your owner/pet relationship could use a bit of tweaking. We’re going to talk about a few tips you can exercise with your fuzzy pal that will help you to generate a trusting and loyal bond.

The first thing you need to understand is that all dogs want to be a part of a pack. It’s a natural way of life for them in the wild and it still holds very constant today—only the pack is your family (or you and the dog if you’re a duo).  Dogs want to feel as though they serve a place in the pack, which means hanging out with the family and being included in everyday activities. However, it is very important that your dog understands his position in the pack. If you do not assert your authority as the “leader of the pack,” your dog is likely to assume the role, which can result in very hard-to-handle behaviour. When your dog is clear on the hierarchy of the family, he will respect you, which is a huge part of forming a solid foundation in your relationship. I know this all sounds primitive and even a little cheesy, but it’s very much true!

It’s also important that you show your dog that he can trust you. Trust is the fundamental element that creates a long-lasting bond and it must be maintained. One way that you can encourage your dog to trust you is by developing a steady routine that he can depend upon. You are his source of not only food and water, but it’s up to you to let him outside for play time and to do his “business.” Try to make sure he’s fed and watered around the same time everyday and let out to potty frequently. Your dog will have inherent trust in you if you prove that you are a good leader who can be depended upon to provide his basic needs.

Activities are a great way to let your dog feel he is involved in the family. Dogs are naturally playful and sociable, so including them in everyday activities such as chores or playing in the back yard are important. You could also take the time to brush your dog or walk with him every day. Training is an excellent way to bond with your dog as praise and (gentle) correction lets him feel involved. I recommend that you get a set of dog steps and train your dog to use them. Whether he’s a puppy or not, it’s better for his joints than jumping to and from furniture and that added training time will only serve to rekindle your dog’s trust and obedience in you.

For more great tips about raising pets, or to purchase a set of pet stairs, visit Help Your Pets here.

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The Everyday Use of Pet Steps

November 1, 2009 By scribe Leave a Comment

Have you noticed that your dog struggles from time to time when it comes to jumping up onto the couch, chair, or bed? This could point to physical issues that need to be addressed.

When you allow your dog to jump to and from any surface that is greater than 12 inches from the ground, he can sustain serious injury. A foot of height doesn’t really seem like a lot, but it’s enough to cause a broken limb if your dog falls, or longer-lasting problems over time.

While small and large dogs are at a particular risk of sustaining bone or joint injury, any size or breed of dog is susceptible to harm through a fall or as a result of prolonged impact over time. Large dogs, like Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, and Labradors, are inclined to developing arthritis later in life, and condoning a large dog to jump onto and off of furniture everyday could cause arthritis to crop up earlier in the dog’s life. As for small dogs, they are more likely to break a bone in a fall or by attempting to leap down from too great a height.

This being said, you don’t have to necessarily deny your furry friend access to his favourite places—which are likely the places that you frequent. Through the use of pet stairs you can give your pet the freedom to go about his normal routine with the addition of safety and peace of mind.

Carpeted pet steps are very popular as they not only provide cushioning for impact, but they also offer a non-slip surface. Most pet stairs can be categorized into three sizes: small, medium, and large. There are two things that you must consider when purchasing pet steps. The first is the height of the object you want your dog to get onto. For instance, if your primary use for the steps will be to allow your dog to get onto the couch, you will need to make sure that the set of stairs you purchase is tall enough to reach your couch. The second item to consider is the size of your dog. You can follow the guide below to determine what size of steps would be appropriate for your pet.

Small dogs = steps no wider than 12 inches

Medium dogs = 14 inch-wide steps

Large dogs = steps at least 16 inches wide

For more information about choosing and purchasing a set of pet steps, please visit Help Your Pets – Here.

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