Pawaboo Pet Ramp Review: Getting an Old Cat Back Up
A Pawaboo foldable pet ramp review covering the five adjustable heights, widened legs, non slip surface and why a ramp often beats steps for an arthritic cat.
Five heights from 9.8 to 20.5 inches, which covers a sofa, a bed and most window seats.
The verdict: When an old cat stops getting onto the sofa, she does not stop wanting to, and a ramp is usually a better answer than steps because it asks for a walk rather than a series of small jumps. Buy it if your cat has started sleeping on the floor or hesitating before jumping. Skip it if she is still jumping freely, and instead book the vet appointment, because hesitating before a jump is one of the earliest signs of feline arthritis and it is treatable.
Pawaboo Foldable pet ramp for couch, 5 adjustable heights
~$60
A foldable pet ramp with five height settings from 9.8 to 20.5 inches, widened legs for stability, reinforced connectors and a wear resistant striped fabric surface for traction.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Heights | 9.8, 13.8, 16.5, 18.5 and 20.5 inches |
|---|---|
| Stability | Widened legs at 11.8 inches with reinforced connectors |
| Folded size | 16.5 x 12.6 x 5.5 inches |
| Surface | Wear resistant striped fabric carpet for traction |
| Portability | Folds for storage or a car boot |
Specifications above come from Pawaboo's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Five height settings means one ramp covers the sofa, the bed and a window perch rather than needing a different product for each.
- A continuous slope suits arthritic cats better than steps, because it does not require repeated flexion of painful hips and stifles.
- Traction is the specification that decides whether a ramp gets used, and a textured fabric surface holds claws where smooth plastic does not.
- Folding matters more than it sounds, because a ramp that lives permanently across a living room tends to get moved and then never replaced.
Where it falls short
- A ramp takes floor space at a shallow angle, and the shallower the angle the more space it takes. In a small room, steps take less.
- It is designed for small dogs, so the width and weight rating are generous for a cat, and it is a large object for a small animal.
- A cat has to be taught to use a ramp. Most will not simply understand it, and treat luring over a few days is usually required.
- It addresses access, not pain. A cat that needs a ramp needs a veterinary assessment for arthritis, which has effective treatments.
What owners report
Published owner reports describe pets taking a few days to accept a ramp and then using it consistently, and stability is mentioned favourably relative to lighter designs. The adjustable height is described as the reason it stayed useful when the household rearranged.
The recurring theme is training. Reports from owners who lured their pet up and down with treats for several days describe success; reports from owners who put the ramp in place and waited describe an ignored object. That is the whole difference and it costs nothing but patience.
Who it suits
- Cats who have stopped jumping onto furniture they used to use.
- Households with a high bed or sofa where a cat has started sleeping on the floor.
- Owners who need one aid for several different heights.
Who should skip it
- Small rooms where the ramp's footprint is impractical, where steps fit better.
- Cats who are still jumping freely, who need a vet visit rather than equipment if anything has changed.
- Owners unwilling to spend a few days training the cat to use it.
Alternatives worth considering
K&H Pet Products Heated Cat Bed, Thermo-Kitty Bed indoor, large 20 inch
~$65
If your cat has moved to the floor, a warm supportive bed at floor level is the complementary purchase. Access and comfort are two different problems and an arthritic cat usually has both.
Check price on AmazonSuhaco Low Entry Litter Box for Senior Cats, extra large
~$54
The same stiffness that stops a cat jumping onto the sofa stops her stepping into a high sided litter box, and the consequences are worse. If you are buying a ramp, check the litter box height too.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Ramp vs stairs for cats
- Pet steps vs ramp
- Mobility aids for senior cats
- K&H Thermo-Kitty Bed review
- Old cat cannot jump anymore
- Signs of arthritis in cats
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
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A Stainless Steel Fountain for a Senior Cat
Chronic kidney disease is the most common serious diagnosis in older cats, and moving water is the easiest way to raise daily intake. Stainless steel stays cleaner than plastic, which matters on a bowl that runs all day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ramp or steps for an arthritic cat?
A ramp is usually kinder, because a continuous slope avoids the repeated flexion that steps require of painful hips and stifles. Steps take less floor space and some cats prefer them. Our ramp versus stairs comparison covers how to decide, and the practical answer is often to try what your cat will actually use.
How do I teach a cat to use a ramp?
Slowly, with treats, over several days. Start with the ramp at its lowest setting, lure the cat up and down, and raise the height only once she is confident. Never place a cat on the ramp and expect her to work it out. Most failures are training failures rather than product failures.
My cat suddenly cannot jump. Is that just old age?
It is usually pain, and pain in cats is usually arthritis, which affects the large majority of cats over twelve on radiographs. Old age is not a diagnosis and reduced jumping is not something to accept. There are effective treatments now, and a vet visit should come before a ramp.
Will a ramp fit my sofa?
Measure the height of the surface first. This ramp adjusts from 9.8 to 20.5 inches, which covers most sofas and many beds. A very high bed may need a longer ramp or a two stage arrangement, and a steep ramp will simply be refused.
Where else should I put ramps or steps?
Wherever your cat used to go and no longer does: a window sill she liked, the bed, a favourite chair. Also think about litter boxes and food bowls, which should be reachable without jumping or stairs. Our page on mobility aids for senior cats covers the whole house.
Need more help with your aging cat?
Browse our guides by topic to find practical solutions.
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