Good dog stairs for bed height let your dog climb up and down on their own, which saves your back from lifting them and saves their joints from the jump down onto a hard floor. The trick is matching three numbers: your bed's height, the height of each step, and how deep each step is. Get those right and almost any dog will learn to use them in a few days.
Quick picks
| Badge | Pick | Why we like it |
|---|---|---|
| Top pick | PetSafe CozyUp Folding Pet Steps | Carpeted treads with raised edges, folds flat, budget-friendly |
| Best for tall beds | Pet Gear Easy Step IV | 30.5 inches tall with 6-inch steps, rated to 150 lb |
| Best for large dogs | Pet Loader Collapsible Platform Steps | Adjustable height, broad platforms, rated to 150 lb |
| Best wooden steps | Petsfit Wooden Pet Stairs | Looks like furniture, deep treads for long-bodied dogs |
| Best foam steps | Zinus Easy Pet Stairs | Soft CertiPUR-US foam, washable cover, many sizes |
| Best for toy breeds | Majestic Pet Foam Pet Stairs | Light and soft, 20+ colors and patterns |
Before you buy: measure three things
- Bed height. Measure from the floor to the top of the mattress, not the frame. The top step should sit level with it or an inch or two below. Too short and your dog still has to jump the gap.
- Step height (the rise). Small and short-legged dogs need low risers, around 5–6 inches. A 7-inch rise is a big step for a Chihuahua.
- Tread depth. Long-bodied dogs like dachshunds and corgis need deeper treads so all four feet fit without overhanging.
Then check the weight limit and the floor: light stairs (especially foam) can slide on wood and tile.
Stairs suit healthy small and medium dogs with a high bed. For a long-backed dog prone to back trouble, or a big senior, a ramp is usually gentler because there's no step-by-step hop. Compare both in our best dog ramp for bed picks.
PetSafe CozyUp Folding Pet Steps
Best for: small and medium dogs on standard beds and sofas.
Formerly sold as the Solvit PupSTEP, these are K9 of Mine's best budget pet steps and Canine Journal's pick for stairs for large dogs. Each step has a carpeted tread with raised side edges, it folds flat to slide under the bed, and assembly is easy. Two heights cover most beds and couches.
What we like
- Carpet on every tread for grip
- Raised edges help a dog stay centered
- Folds flat for storage
- Budget-friendly
Keep in mind
- Rubber feet may slip on slick floors (K9 of Mine)
- Plain plastic look
- Canine Journal found it narrow and possibly steep for small dogs
- Sources list different weight limits, so check the listing for the size you buy
Key specs: Medium 24"L × 16"W × 20"H, 4.7" steps · Large 28"L × 18"W × 25"H, 6.25" steps
Pet Gear Easy Step IV Pet Stairs
Best for: high beds up to about 30 inches.
Canine Journal's pick for tall beds, and one of the tallest plastic pet stairs around. It has wide, deep landings, a carpet tread that comes off for washing, rubber grippers underneath and it snaps together with no tools. The 6-inch rise keeps each step manageable for medium dogs.
What we like
- 30.5 inches tall, enough for most high beds
- Removable, washable carpet tread
- Wide, deep landings
- Rated to 150 lb, yet only about 15 lb to move
Keep in mind
- Can be steep for small dogs (Canine Journal)
- Some owners say the steps tilt slightly downward
Key specs: 33.5"L × 16"W × 30.5"H · 6" step height · up to 150 lb · about 15 lb
Pet Loader Collapsible Platform Steps
Best for: large dogs and hesitant dogs who need a broad, shallow climb.
K9 of Mine rates these as the best pet stairs for the car, but they work at the bed too if you have the space. Instead of narrow steps, you get broad platforms, 16 inches wide by 22 inches long, so a big dog can put all four feet down on each level. The height adjusts, and the steps collapse when you're done.
What we like
- Broad platforms for big or nervous dogs
- Adjustable height: 16–20" (3-step) or 20–30" (4-step)
- Carpeted platforms
- Rated to 150 lb
Keep in mind
- Heavy, at 20–29 lb, and premium priced (K9 of Mine)
- Built mainly for cars, so it's bulky beside a bed
Key specs: 3-step 16–20" · 4-step 20–30" · platforms 16"W × 22"L · up to 150 lb
Petsfit Wooden Pet Stairs
Best for: dachshunds, corgis and other long-bodied dogs on sofas and low beds.
K9 of Mine's best wooden pet stairs. The treads are deeper than most, aimed at long-bodied dogs, and each step is carpeted. There's also a hideaway hole underneath, a small den space. It comes in white or black and looks like a piece of furniture.
What we like
- Deep treads: 7" on the 3-step, 10.5" on the 2-step
- Carpeted steps
- Furniture look in white or black
- Rated to 100 lb
Keep in mind
- Only 20.5 inches tall, so it suits sofas and low beds, not high beds
- For a dachshund with a history of back trouble, ask your vet whether a ramp would be better
Key specs: 3-step 23.5" × 17" × 20.5"H, 7" treads · 2-step 14"H, 10.5" treads · up to 100 lb
Zinus Easy Pet Stairs (Foam)
Best for: small and medium dogs who like a soft, quiet step.
K9 of Mine praises the Zinus for having the most size options, and Canine Journal picks it for small and medium dogs. It's made from CertiPUR-US certified foam with a removable, machine-washable cover, and it's light enough to move from the bed to the couch.
What we like
- Soft, quiet foam steps
- Lots of sizes: 3-step (13.5"), 4-step (18"), 5-step (22.5") and up to XL (24")
- Machine-washable cover
- Light to move
Keep in mind
- About 60 lb maximum and narrow (Canine Journal)
- K9 of Mine says even the big sizes are realistically for smaller dogs
- Foam is light, so it can slide on hard floors
Key specs: 3-step 13.5"H · 4-step 18"H · 5-step 22.5"H · XL 21" × 28" × 24"H · about 60 lb max
Majestic Pet Portable Foam Pet Stairs
Best for: toy breeds on sofas and low beds.
K9 of Mine's best foam pet steps. They're soft high-density foam with a washable cover in 20+ colors and patterns, so they can match the room. Light and soft, they're a good fit for a Yorkie or a Maltese.
What we like
- Soft foam that's gentle on tiny paws
- Washable cover
- 20+ colors and patterns
- Light and easy to move
Keep in mind
- The standard version is rated only to 25 lb (K9 of Mine)
- Slides on marble and wood floors
- Less supportive than plastic or wood
Key specs: 3-step 18"L × 16"W × 15"H · 4-step 24"L × 16"W × 20"H · up to 25 lb (standard)
Dog stairs for high beds
Tall beds, pillow-tops and beds with a thick topper often sit 25 inches or higher. Your options narrow fast:
| Your bed (top of mattress) | Look at |
|---|---|
| Up to 15" | Majestic Pet 3-step, Zinus 3-step |
| 15–20" | Petsfit 3-step, PetSafe CozyUp Medium, Zinus 4-step or 5-step |
| 20–25" | PetSafe CozyUp Large, Zinus XL, Pet Loader 4-step |
| 25–30" | Pet Gear Easy Step IV, Pet Loader 4-step |
| Over 30" | A long bed ramp: see the best dog ramp for bed |
The taller the stairs, the more steps your dog has to climb in a row. For a senior or a long-backed dog on a bed over about 25 inches, a long ramp is usually the easier route.
Foam dog steps vs plastic and wood
- Foam dog steps are soft, quiet and light. Great for toy breeds and small dogs, but most are rated for small dogs only, and they slide on hard floors. A rug or a non-slip mat underneath helps.
- Plastic stairs (PetSafe, Pet Gear) are sturdier and carry more weight. Look for carpet on the treads; bare plastic is slippery.
- Wooden stairs (Petsfit) look like furniture and feel solid, but tend to be shorter.
- Platform steps (Pet Loader) are the sturdiest and broadest, built for big dogs, and also the heaviest.
Dog stairs for large dogs
Most dog steps are built for small dogs. For a Lab or a shepherd, look for three things: a weight rating with margin, treads wide and deep enough for big paws, and solid construction that doesn't flex. Of the picks here, the Pet Loader platforms and the Pet Gear Easy Step IV are both rated to 150 lb. Big dogs and seniors are often happier on a ramp, so compare with the dog ramp for bed options before you buy.
If your big dog also needs help into the car, the same Pet Loader steps double as car steps; our dog ramp for car roundup covers that job.
How to teach your dog to use the stairs
- Start with the stairs flat against a sofa your dog already climbs onto.
- Lure them up one step at a time with a treat held just in front of the nose.
- Reward on every step, then at the top.
- Practice coming down slowly too; that's the part that matters most for joints.
- Keep sessions to 2–3 minutes. Most dogs get it within a few days.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your dog, talk to your vet. Stairs are designed to make getting on and off the bed easier on joints than jumping, but they don't treat any condition. If your dog has suddenly stopped jumping up, read why your dog can't jump on the bed anymore and get it checked, since it can be a sign of pain or a back problem.
Comparison table
| Pick | Material | Height | Step / tread | Weight limit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PetSafe CozyUp | Plastic, carpet | 20" or 25" | 4.7" or 6.25" steps | Check listing | Standard beds, budget |
| Pet Gear Easy Step IV | Plastic, carpet | 30.5" | 6" steps | 150 lb | Tall beds |
| Pet Loader Platform | Platforms, carpet | 16–20" or 20–30" | 16 × 22" platforms | 150 lb | Large and hesitant dogs |
| Petsfit Wooden | Wood, carpet | 14" or 20.5" | 7" or 10.5" treads | 100 lb | Long-bodied dogs, low beds |
| Zinus Foam | Foam | 13.5"–24" | — | About 60 lb | Small and medium dogs |
| Majestic Pet Foam | Foam | 15" or 20" | — | 25 lb (standard) | Toy breeds |
FAQs
What are the best dog steps for bed?
For most small and medium dogs, the PetSafe CozyUp Folding Pet Steps: carpeted treads, raised edges, two heights and it folds flat. For a high bed, the Pet Gear Easy Step IV reaches 30.5 inches.
What dog stairs are best for a high bed?
The Pet Gear Easy Step IV is 30.5 inches tall with 6-inch steps and is rated to 150 lb. The Pet Loader 4-step adjusts from 20 to 30 inches. Above about 30 inches, or for a senior, look at a long bed ramp instead.
Are foam dog steps good?
Foam steps are soft, quiet and light, which suits toy and small dogs. Most are rated for small dogs only (the standard Majestic Pet steps to 25 lb, the Zinus to about 60 lb), and they can slide on hard floors.
What are the best dog stairs for large dogs?
Look for a high weight rating and broad treads. The Pet Loader Collapsible Platform Steps have 16 × 22-inch platforms and the Pet Gear Easy Step IV is rated to 150 lb. Many large and senior dogs find a ramp easier.
Are stairs or a ramp better for my dog?
Stairs save floor space and suit agile small and medium dogs. Ramps are gentler for seniors, big dogs and long-backed breeds because there's no step-by-step hop. If your dog has a back problem, ask your vet.
Measure the mattress tonight, match the step height to your dog's legs, and they'll be climbing up for bedtime on their own by the weekend.