We recently tried out these Gardner dog stairs for small dogs after spotting our smaller dog struggling to reach the couch safely. The 16.5-inch height actually fit our furniture perfectly.
The 2-in-1 design jumped out at us right away. You can use it as regular stairs, or just flip it into a ramp by adjusting the velcro straps—takes maybe a few seconds, tops.
The stairs showed up compressed in a box. We just unpacked them and let them do their thing.
Within a day, the high-density foam puffed up completely. The wrinkles smoothed out too, though it looked a little odd at first.
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Our dog figured out the stairs immediately. The foam gives good support but isn’t too firm, which is probably nice for older pets or those with joint issues.
The waterproof cover comes off and is machine washable, which we needed sooner than expected. That part was a relief.
The rubber dots on the bottom do help with stability on hard floors. Still, some buyers said they had issues with sliding on wood surfaces.
We found the stairs stayed put on carpet, but on hardwood we had to nudge them back into place now and then. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing.
The weight limit is 66 pounds, so these are really for small to medium dogs. Bigger pets might find it too narrow or a bit too soft.
The stairs are surprisingly lightweight and easy to move around. We liked that flexibility.
Bottom Line
These stairs solved our problem of helping our small dog reach higher furniture safely. The ramp option adds a level of versatility other pet stairs just don’t offer.
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At A Glance
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Overview of Gardner Pet Dog Stairs for Small Dogs
These stairs arrived vacuum-packed and expanded within a day. We did notice some wrinkles that took about 48 hours to fade out.
The big feature here is the 2-in-1 design. You can switch between stairs and a ramp by moving the velcro straps—honestly, it’s pretty intuitive.
The foam feels dense and supportive when our dogs walk on it. At 16.5 inches tall, it worked well for our couch and even some beds.
We like that the cover comes off for washing, and the waterproof layer underneath gives us peace of mind about accidents. You never know.
What Works Well:
- No assembly needed
- Stable foam holds its shape under weight
- Easy conversion between stairs and ramp
What Could Be Better:
- Not enough grip on the bottom for hardwood floors
- Takes time to fully expand after unboxing
- Takes up floor space when in use
The OEKO-TEX certified materials mean no chemical smell. We noticed that right away when we opened the package.
Safe and Pet-Friendly Materials
We were happy to find out these stairs use OEKO-TEX certified materials. That means the foam and fabrics are free from chemicals that could harm your pets or family.
The stairs contain 35D high-density foam that’s CertiPUR-US certified. It’s safe for daily contact with your dog, which is reassuring.
The removable cover includes a TPU waterproof layer. It protects against accidents but stays non-toxic.
We thought the materials felt sturdy, and there wasn’t any chemical smell when we unboxed them. The foam gives good support without containing stuff that could irritate sensitive pets.
If you’ve got pets who like to chew or just hang out on their stairs, the certified materials are a nice peace of mind. The cover can go right in the washing machine and doesn’t fall apart, so it’s easy to keep things clean.
Versatile 2-in-1 Stairs and Ramp Design
The feature that really impressed us was how these stairs transform between two setups. The Gardner stairs go from a classic 3-step setup to a gentle ramp—just undo the Velcro straps and fold or unfold.
We found this flexibility genuinely useful. The stair mode is great for quick climbs, but the ramp is easier on joints, especially for older dogs.
The transformation takes just seconds:
- Undo the Velcro straps
- Unfold or refold the foam
- Secure it back in place
Some dogs just like one style better than the other. Having both options in one product takes out the guesswork.
We noticed the ramp angle is gentle enough for pets with mobility issues. The stairs save space when you want a more compact footprint.
This dual design basically gives you two products for the price of one. Not bad.
Supportive High-Density Foam
The foam inside these stairs really does make a difference for pets who need joint support. We noticed the 35D high-density material feels firm but still comfortable—it doesn’t just squish flat under weight.
It held up well even with our dog using it all day. The low-angle design and the foam together take some pressure off the knees and hips, which matters for older pets or those recovering from injuries.
The foam stayed supportive without feeling rock hard or too soft. One thing, though: the stairs come vacuum-compressed, so you’ll need to give it 24 to 48 hours to fully expand.
We saw some wrinkles at first, but those went away after a day. The foam core itself can’t be washed, so you’ll have to stick with cleaning the removable cover.
Waterproof and Easy-to-Clean Cover
The cover comes off with a zipper, which is handy when accidents happen. We spilled some water on purpose, and the TPU waterproof layer kept the foam completely dry underneath.
Cleaning is simple: just toss the cover in the washing machine. We ran it through a regular cycle and it came out fine—no damage to the waterproof part.
Hand washing works too if that’s your thing. The material held up after washing and didn’t shrink or get weirdly loose.
The cover fits snugly back on the foam after drying. Just remember, you can’t wash the foam itself, only the cover.
Stability and Non-Slip Base
We noticed right away these stairs stay pretty firmly in place, thanks to the rubber dots on the bottom. When our dog climbed up and down, the stairs didn’t really slide around on our hardwood floors.
The grip is strong enough for active pets. We felt confident letting our dog use them without worrying about slipping.
The rubber dotting covers the whole base, so it makes solid contact with the floor. One thing, though: the stability works best on hard surfaces.
We tried them on carpet too, and they still felt secure, but the rubber grips really shine on wood or tile. On carpet, it’s just okay.
No Assembly Required
We unpacked these stairs and they were ready to use right away. No tools or instructions needed, which was honestly a relief.
The stairs arrive compressed in a vacuum-sealed package, so they looked a bit wrinkled at first. We noticed the foam needed about a day or two to fully expand and smooth out.
This is normal and doesn’t really affect how well they work. Our dog was able to start using them right away, even while they were still expanding.
The convenience of skipping assembly made the whole thing much easier than we expected.
Pros and Cons
After using these dog stairs for a while, we spotted several strengths and a couple things that could be better. The 2-in-1 design really stood out since we could switch between stairs and a ramp depending on what worked best that day.
Pros
The ability to transform from stairs to a ramp is genuinely handy. We just undid the Velcro straps and changed it up in seconds.
This flexibility meant we could adjust for our dog’s needs or the height of whatever furniture we were dealing with. The foam felt dense and supportive—didn’t collapse or get lumpy after repeated use.
The high-density material held up well and gave a stable surface that didn’t feel flimsy. We liked that no assembly was required, too.
We opened the box, let it expand for about a day, and it was good to go. The cover came off easily for washing, and the waterproof layer worked as described when we tested it with water.
The non-slip bottom kept the stairs in place on hardwood floors better than we expected. Our dog climbed up confidently without sliding.
Cons
The main issue we ran into was how the stairs looked right after unboxing. The vacuum compression left some pretty noticeable wrinkles on the cover, and it took the full 48 hours to smooth out.
It looked a bit rumpled at first. Some users with lighter pets on hardwood floors said the grip wasn’t always strong enough to prevent all movement.
We didn’t have major sliding, but a very energetic dog might shift it a bit. The price is a little higher than basic pet stairs, which makes sense for the features, but budget buyers might hesitate.
Real-World Experiences
We tested these stairs with dogs of different sizes and found they work well for most small breeds. Switching between stairs and ramp takes just seconds with the velcro straps.
Our corgi had no issues climbing up. Even a 60-pound dog with arthritis managed the incline comfortably.
The foam stays firm but soft enough for older pets. We noticed the non-slip cover works great on the steps themselves, but the bottom does slide a bit on hardwood floors.
It’s not a dealbreaker, but you might want to place it against furniture for extra stability. Setup was simple, and the stairs expanded quickly after unboxing.
They held their shape without any problems. One of our cats even preferred the gentle ramp slope over jumping and used it several times a day, no hesitation.
Customer Reviews
We looked through nearly 1,000 customer reviews to see what others thought. Most pet owners gave positive feedback about how quickly their dogs adapted to using the stairs.
Small dog owners especially liked the dual function design. Several people mentioned their pets took to the stairs immediately, no training needed.
The waterproof cover also got praise for being easy to clean. Common complaints included:
- The bottom lacks grip pads, causing sliding on hardwood floors
- Some felt the price was higher than expected
We noticed the stairs worked well for pets recovering from surgery or dealing with joint problems. One owner with a 60-pound arthritic dog said the soft but supportive steps made couch access much easier.
The ramp option was especially helpful for pets who struggled with traditional stairs. The packaging impressed buyers too—the foam expanded quickly after opening and kept its shape well over time.
Conclusion
After spending a while with this 2-in-1 pet stairs and ramp combo, I have to say—it actually delivers on its main promises. The transition between stairs and ramp is surprisingly smooth, thanks to those simple Velcro straps.
The CertiPUR-US foam offers pretty solid support for pets up to 60 pounds. During our testing, the waterproof cover held up nicely—no complaints there.
What works well:
- It’s lightweight but still feels sturdy.
- Setup is a breeze, pretty much right out of the box.
- The slope is gentle enough that most pets seem to accept it quickly, at least in my experience.
What could be better:
- There’s no grip material on the bottom, so it does slide around on hardwood floors. Kind of annoying, honestly.
- The price is a bit high compared to basic pet stairs. Not a dealbreaker, but worth mentioning.
Honestly, I think this product’s best for small to medium dogs, or maybe senior cats that need a boost to reach furniture. The dual functionality really adds value if you can’t decide whether your pet prefers steps or a ramp—why not both?
