In these tough economic times, pet owners who want to help their dogs get up to human level are looking for cheap dog steps. Fortunately, there are two options: buy dog steps economically, or make them.
Dog steps can seem like a luxury when money is short. However, the advantage to dog steps is that they enable dogs with special needs to get to places where their humans live.
Dog steps can be a vital assistance to smaller breeds of dogs, such as teacup poodles, Chihuahuas, Pekineses, and other similar breeds. They can actually fracture or full-out break their legs by jumping from high furniture such as beds or sofas. Think of how costly it would be to take your dog to the vet to treat a broken leg, not to mention the heartache it can cause by knowing it could be prevented.
Older dogs with arthritis or larger dogs with conditions such as hip displacement also benefit from dog steps suitable for their size and weight. The trick to buying cheap dog steps is to know what size and materials are right for your dog.
Most inexpensive dog steps are made from foam covered in carpet or other material. Many of these styles can be bought for $20 or less at many popular stores and online outlets.
Those with a knack for hobby projects may want to try building cheap dog steps. Once again, most of these projects are made from foam and covered with carpet or other suitable fabric. One pet owner even reported he covered his dog’s homemade steps with artificial turf. However, this can be expensive depending on the materials you use for the dog stairs.
Whether you buy your dog steps or make them yourself, one very important thing you will need to take into consideration is the size of your dog. If you have a large dog, he will require steps that are at least 16 inches wide. Medium-sized dogs (around 35 pounds) need a maximum step width of 14 inches, and for smaller dogs the step width should be no more than about 12 inches.
The height of your dog is also another thing to consider. Dog stairs that have very tall steps aren’t going to work very well for a short-legged dog, yet very short steps could trip a long-legged dog.
Finally, be sure your cheap dog steps are sturdy enough to support your dog’s weight. Test your dog on a sample of the steps if possible. If not, be sure to check any weight information on the product label. The last thing you want is for your precious pet to fall through a step and hurt itself.
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