DIY Indoor Pet Ramp | Repurposed Cabinet Door
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This indoor pet ramp makes me so excited! My little Louie was getting older, and it was difficult for him to jump onto the couch. I searched online for hours, looking for stairs or something to help him. Then I realized a dog ramp would be better than stairs as he ages, so why not just go that route now? But I really couldn’t find anything and what I did find was too expensive and bulky. So, being the DIY maven that I am, I got busy!
Click here to see more ideas for aging or geriatric pets below.
Repurposed Cabinet Door for Indoor Pet Ramp
Thanks for saving and sharing this DIY Pet Ramp on Pinterest.
This is my stash of cabinet doors, most of which I got from a good friend in Indiana for FREE! Thank you, Shannon! The blue arrow points to a tall, narrow one.
Testing out the cabinet doors
I actually tried out two different doors: one longer and narrower and the other wider and shorter.
I ended up going with the one on the left.
Materials for Inexpensive Dog Ramp
- Cabinet Door
- Small Piece of Plywood
- Piano Hinge and screws
- Carpet Remnant
- Staple Gun
- Utility Knife
- Scissors
- Duct Tape (optional)
- Paint Stick (optional)
- Wood Glue (optional)
I gathered the remaining items needed for this ramp project for my aging pet. I grabbed a scrap piece of plywood and a piece of a piano hinge left over from another project.
Measurements of the Indoor Pet Ramp
These are the measurements for my diy dog ramp. 34” ended up being perfect for my couch height and the space in front of it. Your sofa cushion will determine the depth of the plywood.
Install Piano Hinge
I drilled small pilot holes in the plywood and the cabinet door to secure the piano hinge. I only put in a couple of screws on each board so I could do a dry fit.
This is the dry fit. I decided the aging dog ramp may work better if I switched the hinge to be on the underneath side of the cabinet door instead of the top side.
To Cover Screw Tips-Use a Paint Stick
After securing all of the screws, I found out the hard way that they protruded on the back side of the plywood. (note the small red fingerprint) To protect my fingers and the fabric on the couch, I cut a paint stick to size and glued it over the points of the screws.
Low-pile Carpet Remnant
Because I never throw anything away—I had this roll of scrap carpet in the basement just waiting for a purpose–like this DIY dog ramp.
Trim carpet to size
The carpet scrap fit around the cabinet board (ramp) perfectly. I just had to cut it to length with a box cutter and scissors.
Duct Tape Provides a Temporary Hold
I used some Gorilla tape to secure the carpet on the pet ramp as a temporary solution. I wanted to make sure Louie, the nervous Nellie, would actually use it before I made it permanent.
Staple carpet in place
After realizing that Louie was indeed going to enjoy the dog ramp, I needed to make it more permanent by stapling the carpet. The bottom portion of the carpet was cut and tucked, much like wrapping a present. You can see the little corner I cut off on the left.
Did you know Louie had a bad heart? yep, he’s been on several heart meds—the things I did for that baby. 
Indoor Pet Ramp for Sofa
This is how the ramp looked under the cushion of the loveseat. I didn’t bother to paint the plywood since it won’t be seen. (you can see the paint stick that covers up the screw points)
During the holidays, while Jamie and Andy were visiting, I was able to sit here, using the ramp as a little footrest. That being said, the ramp is portable and easy to remove and store (under the sofa) when unnecessary. I doubt that I will be storing it very often because it’s working so well for Louie.
Now that I have built the dog ramp, Louie can always have his favorite view on the back of the love seat—that is when Matt isn’t hogging it.
Not only did the ramp help him with jumping up on the couch, but it also saved his joints from the jolt when he jumped off the couch. It made me smile every time he traveled up or down the ramp. It may not look like it, but it was even wide enough for him to turn around if he changed his mind while going up or down.
DIY Indoor Pet Ramp
In this video, Louie takes to the pet ramp on the sofa right away! I was shocked and amazed. I had been picking Louie up for about two years so he could get on the loveseat with me. You can see he liked to lie on the back of the loveseat to look out the window.
Options for geriatric pets
- Remove a Cushion If you have fur babies, you know we’ll do anything to help them out in their old age. On the other side of the room is a couch with three cushions. When I wasn’t around, Louie would look out that window. He jumped to the spot where I had removed the cushion, jumped on the seat, then walked over to the arm of the couch and climbed up, much like he did in the video above.
- Take the feet off your sofa. If you have these issues, another option would be to remove the feet from your furniture. My former couch was about 1 1/2 inches lower to the ground, making it easier for this little guy. Sometimes, just an inch or two makes a big difference for your senior pet.
- Add a bench to the bedroom. To help your pooch get on the bed, you can repurpose a coffee table into a bench.
Time to bring the dog ramp out of storage
EDITED TO ADD
I had to say goodbye to my sweet Louie on 2.11.15.
On 6.19.16 I brought home this sweet bundle of joy! Meet Lulu Mae!
Lulu Mae loves Louie’s indoor pet ramp. At only eight weeks old, she immediately started using the ramp to get on and off the couch whenever she chose! It sure has made life easier, and I’m glad I stored it in the basement. I love this little one so much, but you probably know that a new pet never replaces the love you have for the best friend you had to say goodbye to. I still miss Louie every day.
UPDATE
After storing the ramp in the basement, I had to bring it out again. Lulu Mae developed some knee issues, so I brought the indoor puppy ramp back out for her. It will make it easier on her so she (like Louie) doesn’t experience that jolt while jumping off the couch. In addition, Matt (the cat) is now aging, and he also appreciates the dog ramp.
Edited to add:
Lulu Mae is now eight and still uses this little DIY pet ramp.
What “something special” do you do for your furbabies?
gail
PS See more Pet Projects Here. Have some extra cabinet doors? See repurposed cabinet door projects here.
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail
If the room is too small for a ramp, I’m afraid I don’t have any ideas except what I use for the cat and the dog. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/bedroom-makeover-small-updates-big-change/
A ramp really works best because of their joints. However, that’s tough to do with a bed.
Beds are soooo tall these days. Sometimes I wish I had an easier way to climb in/up!
gail