As dogs get older, walks and everyday movement often need a bit of extra help, whether that means a mobility aid to get on and off the couch, or a stroller so they can still get out and about. This guide covers the basics of choosing between a ramp, a set of pet stairs and a stroller, using real weight-capacity specs from our range. It is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet, who knows your dog's specific situation.
Signs it might be time to consider mobility gear
Common, general signs owners notice as dogs age include slower or stiffer movement, hesitating before jumping onto furniture or into the car, or tiring earlier on walks than they used to. These are worth raising with your vet, both to rule out anything that needs treatment and to get advice on what kind of support suits your individual dog. Once you have that guidance, the right gear depends on what your dog actually struggles with.
Stairs and ramps: for getting on and off furniture, the car or a stroller
If the issue is jumping onto a couch, bed or into the car, stairs or a ramp solve a different problem than a stroller does. Based on our current range:
- The Everest Pet Stairs is rated to support pets up to 20kg and described by the manufacturer as suited to injured or elderly pets that need a boost onto furniture. It has a soft, non-slip cushioned surface over a metal frame and folds for storage.
- The Portable Dog Ramp is built specifically for the Grand Cruiser stroller, helping senior or less mobile dogs get on and off from the rear opening rather than being lifted. The listing describes it as designed to help protect the dog's spine during entry and exit.
Stairs are the better fit for a fixed height, like a regular jump onto the same bed or sofa. A stroller ramp solves a different, more specific problem: getting a senior dog in and out of that particular stroller without lifting them.
Strollers: keeping older dogs included in walks and outings
A stroller is worth considering when your dog cannot comfortably walk the full distance of a walk anymore, but still benefits from getting outside, the fresh air, the change of scenery, being around the family during a walk. Weight rating matters most here, since an underrated stroller is both uncomfortable for the dog and harder to push. From our current range:
- The Retro Luxe is rated for pets up to 30kg, with a spacious cabin, safety tethers, a removable pad, dual-ended entryways and a folding aluminium frame.
- The Grand Cruiser is rated up to 50kg and built with a low chassis for easier entry and exit, plus an anti-fall canopy, features aimed squarely at bigger, less mobile dogs.
- The Hercules Pro 2.0 is also rated up to 50kg, a heavy-duty build for larger dogs who still deserve stroller days out.
For a senior dog specifically, a low entry point matters as much as weight capacity. Both the Grand Cruiser and the ramp accessory built for it are worth looking at together if you have a larger dog who struggles to step up into a standard stroller cabin.
Weight capacity: why it is worth checking twice
Every stroller, ramp and set of stairs in this guide carries a stated weight rating from the manufacturer, and it exists for a real reason: a pet at or near the upper limit puts more strain on the wheels, frame and (for ramps and stairs) the surface itself. As a general rule, if your dog is close to the top of a rating, it is worth stepping up to the next capacity tier rather than running right at the limit, particularly for daily use rather than occasional trips.
Putting it together
A simple way to think about it:
- Struggles to jump onto the couch or bed: pet stairs
- Struggles to get into a specific stroller: a ramp built for that stroller
- Struggles to walk full distances but still enjoys being out and about: a stroller sized to their weight
- Not sure which applies, or your dog's mobility has changed recently: start with a vet check before buying anything
You can browse the full range of strollers, stairs and ramps in our Carriers & Strollers collection, or see our broader Dog Health & Wellbeing range if you are looking at senior support more generally.