A cat ramp may be needed if the pet is old and has difficulties moving around the house or is recuperating from an injury. If your cat needs a ramp, you can manufacture one at home or you can buy it in pet stores. However, you will need to look for certain features that the ramp needs, so that your cat is safe at all times.
Cat Ramps for Safety
The cat ramp should be safe and allow the cat to get around the house, even in places he normally cannot reach due to a recent injury or old age and joint pain.
You will have to test the cat ramp that you are considering.
It should be sturdy and support the weight of the cat. The ramp should also have a safe upper surface (i.e. no splinters or nails coming out of the ramp, if it’s made of wood), so that the cat won’t get injured.
The cat ramp should also be fixed to certain pieces of furniture, walls or the floor, so that the ramp won’t wobble when the cat is climbing on it. You should always test the cat ramp prior to allowing the cat to use it.
Most cat ramps have a safety element on each side, to make sure the cat won’t accidentally fall off the ramp while climbing it. This is recommended especially if your cat is older and has sight problems as well.
No Slippery Surfaces on the Ramp
Make sure that the cat ramp you choose doesn’t have a slippery surface. If the ramp you make at home is slippery, you need to get a piece of carpet or a cloth and glue it to the ramp, so that your cat won’t injure himself.
What Determines the Best Size of the Ramp
The size of the ramp will vary according to your pet’s size. Make sure that the height of the ramp is suitable and your cat can easily climb on the ramp without making a great effort.
The length of the ramp you buy should be double the width, which will make sure that the cat will be able to comfortably walk without being afraid of falling. Steep cat ramps can be dangerous.
The Materials Used for a Cat Ramp
Typically, cat ramps are manufactured of wooden materials or plastic or metal. Opt for the material that appeals to you, but bear in mind that certain metals or plastic may cause an allergic reaction in your pet. Wood can be a good choice, but it needs to be varnished.
It is important to choose the same material for all the ramps around your house, so that your pet will get used to the new pieces of furniture and use them.
The thickness of the ramp can be half an inch if the cat is not heavier than 80 pounds, however, if the material is metal, it may be less, as it won’t break under the weight of the pet.