How To Choose The Best Cat Stairs For Your Cat – CatTime
It might be joint pain, physical injury, or aging. Either way, your cat may have problems moving around, and they cannot reach beds and other elevated surfaces anymore. You can help to maintain and improve your pet’s quality of life by acquiring cat stairs. We went on a search for the best cat stairs, and you can find our top picks in the review section below. Check out our buyer’s guide, too, as it contains important information about the product’s crucial features!
Best Choice
Lightweight yet durable
Pros:
These stairs are perfect if you have a tall bed or chair that you want your cats to reach easily. The stairs are over twenty inches tall, and each step is wide enough for your pet to be comfortable when moving. The product doesn’t require any assembly, and the cleaning process is fairly simple. The side rails are an important safety component, and non-skid feet protect your carpets and floors. Although the stairs are very sturdy, they only weigh five pounds. They are also foldable to ensure they take less space when you’re not using them.
Cons:
Although these stairs are foldable, their folded form is still not particularly compact. That makes them tricky for storage and transport. The pads are a bit slippery, which might cause problems for pets going down the stairs. Only a single design is available, and it might not fit all décors. The step covers are not easy to clean due to the covers that get stuck on them.
Best Durable
Maximum sturdiness
Pros:
If you are looking for durable stairs that are a long-term investment, the quality of this product will impress you. The manufacturer uses press wood for the boards and faux fleece as the covering material. The maximum holding weight is seventy pounds, which is more than enough for kittens. The product’s height is twenty-five inches, and cats can reach beds and other platforms easily. The stairs remain sturdy as the cat moves up and down, and the surface they are stepping on is very soft. The assembly process is simple and shouldn’t take you more than fifteen minutes.
Cons:
The assembly requires screwing the steps, and the screws on the bottom have the potential to scratch the floor if placed improperly. The distance from one step to the next is larger than usual, which might cause some pets to get scared. The product is only available in the ivory color, and no other designs are available.
Best Foldable Cat Stairs
Space-saving design
Pros:
You can choose between two versions of these stairs. The first one has three steps and is 16.5 inches tall, and the other has four steps and is 22 inches tall. The wide range of stylish designs guarantees that you will find one that fits your preference. The stairs are foldable and light, which makes them easy for transport and storage. The covers come with zippers and are machine-washable, which ensures simple maintenance. The cushioning is of premium quality, which ensures the necessary softness for pets using the product.
Cons:
The light weight of these stairs is a con, too. Unless you find a way to tighten them, the product moving around could scare your pet; if you put the stairs on the hardwood floor, and the cat runs toward them, that might cause the product to move. It is a safety risk, and it might scratch your floor unless you use a carpet or pads to protect it.
Best Compact Cat Stairs
Perfect for older cats
Pros:
The manufacturer uses plenty of foam for the interior, and the padding is from dense and certified material. It ensures the necessary softness, and your cat will feel comfortable while moving up and down. You can choose between five different sizes, ranging from extra small (thirteen inches) to large (twenty-two inches). The product is easy to assemble if you follow the instructions carefully. The cover is removable, and you only have to unzip and take it off before washing it. The compact and light design makes it easy to move the stairs from one room to another.
Cons:
The depth of the stairs might make it uncomfortable for your pet to stand with both of their legs on a single step. That might be a problem for older cats who have problems moving. If you have a particularly heavy pet, the steps might compress under their weight, which could compromise their balance. The product is only available in a single color.
Best Cozy Cat Stairs
Incredibly dense, but lightweight
Pros:
The entire product weighs under six pounds, which puts it among the lightest cat stairs available on the market. It is easy to move the stairs around and take them with you when traveling. The padding on the steps secures comfort, and the non-skid bottom keeps your floors and carpets protected. You can take off the cover and wash it in a washing machine. The manufacturer claims that the product can hold up to 150 pounds. The height of the stairs is twenty inches, and they are available in gray and tan/brown colors.
Cons:
The stairs don’t look particularly attractive due to the coverings that do not fit tightly. The covering shifts while the pet moves, which might lead to them losing their balance. If you have a heavy cat, the stairs might wobble while they are going up and down. The cardboard interior might affect the overall product durability if you don’t take care of the item well.
What Really Matters
You can choose between many cat stairs available on the market. While that is good, it can also make you overwhelmed. Let’s check out the product’s most important features and make it easier for you to pick a suitable item for your needs.
Dimensions
The first thing to ensure is that the stairs are suitable for your cat and that they can reach the desired platforms. The usual height of cat stairs is anywhere between thirteen and twenty-five inches, which is why you should consider how far the surfaces they need to reach are.
For example, a coach might be fairly low, but beds can be quite high. The stairs’ height should enable the pet to reach the desired surface easily.
Height is not the only dimension you should consider. The width of the entire set could be important for their optimal placement. Every step should be wide and deep enough so that your pet can use it comfortably and with confidence. You should also consider the distance between each stair since some cats might not be able to handle large steps.
Materials
The manufacturers usually use cardboard or pressed woods for the base of the stairs. These materials directly affect the weight capacity of the product. You want to ensure that it can hold your pet easily so that there aren’t any accidents.
Additionally, it is important to consider the material for the coverings. They should be soft so that the pet is comfortable stepping on the stairs. Comfort is improved by using foam padding for the interior.
Color
Style is the next thing to consider because you will probably use cat stairs indoors. You want them to fit in with the rest of the décor, which is why you should pick colors accordingly.
Not all manufacturers have multiple color choices, but some make sure to offer various designs. Although this is only an aesthetic consideration, it is usually important for the owner.
Other Considerations
Here are some other things to consider while choosing cat stairs:
- Weight – Do you need to move the stairs from one room to another? In that case, the lighter they are, the better. Depending on the product you select, stairs can weigh under ten pounds, which should make them simple to carry around.
- Stability – You want the stairs to be stable so that your cat can use them with confidence. If they are wobbly or slippery, try to get creative and find a way to counteract the problem.
- Foldability – If you don’t plan to use cat stairs often, or you want to take them when traveling, foldable stairs can be very useful. They take little space, which makes them perfect for traveling and storage.
- Maintenance – The maintenance process will usually involve washing the coverings. Many manufacturers added a zipper to ensure that you can remove the covering easily. Most coverings are machine-washable, but make sure to consult the instruction manual for your product first.
- Floor protection – Take a look if your stairs come with bottom pads or another type of floor protection. That way, you ensure to keep the surface safe from scratching and damage the stairs might inflict.
What’s in Right Now?
We want only the best for our pets, and cat stairs could be very useful for your feline. Although the cat’s comfort is the primary priority, many owners also want their pet stairs to fit the overall décor. That is why many manufacturers started paying more attention to stair design.
All that made stylish and fashionable pet stairs, the latest trend in the industry. Forget about the classic colors and designs because you can now also pick between faux fleece, gray linen, and other coverings. They are not only soft for your pet, but they also look great and contribute to the room’s aesthetic value.
Prices
Are you ready to invest in cat stairs, but you are wondering about the budget to set for the purchase?
Take a look at the main pricing ranges of these products:
- Cheap – If you want affordable stairs, but still need them to be of decent quality and safe, expect to pay from $20 to $30. You can get them cheaper than that, but at this price, you can rest assured that they can hold the weight of your pet.
- Mid-Range – The average cost of cat stairs is anywhere between $30 and $40. For that price, you can expect stairs of solid quality, as well as softness that keeps your pet comfortable.
- Expensive – Premium cat stairs cost over $40, and their price can even go over $60. In return, you can expect top-quality and durable materials that will last for a long time. Additionally, you should get sturdy stairs that won’t wobble when your pet uses them.
FAQs
Why would my cat need stairs?
If your cat is overweight or old, they might have problems jumping and moving quickly. That is why cat stairs might help them to reach beds and other elevated surfaces, which improves their quality of life.
Can dogs use my cat stairs, too?
If you have both cats and dogs in your home, they can both use the same set of stairs. The only thing to consider is the weight restrictions. Dogs tend to be heavier than cats, and it is important that your stairs can support the weight of your canine.
What are the most suitable cat stairs for a bed?
That will depend on the height of the bed. It is important that the stairs are high enough to ensure the cat can reach the bed easily. Additionally, you might want a stylish solution that fits with your bed’s color scheme.
My cat won’t use the stairs. What should I do?
Try to be patient with your pet and use the rewarding strategy to get them used to the product. Whenever the cat uses the steps, give them the treat to encourage the behavior. Alternatively, use their favorite toys to tempt them to the platform they should reach.
Why Trust Us
Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.