As your dog ages, doing all the activities they used to love – like jumping up on the couch or running up the stairs – becomes more difficult.

Whether your dog has a specific health condition or simply feels the natural effects of old age, dog ramps are a great mobility solution for your furry friend.

Read on to learn how to make your own inexpensive doggie ramp, and what tools and materials you’ll need.

1) HGTV DIY Adjustable Dog Ramp

While this DIY dog ramp from HGTV is more involved than some other projects on this list, the pet ramp will be adjustable from 16 to 30 inches. That means you can utilize it all over your home, from the couch to the car.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Estimated Time: ½ day

Tools and Materials Needed:

• (3) 1×2 x 8′ board
• (1) ¾” plywood, 15-¾ inches x 47-¾ inches
• (2) small hinges
• ¾” dowel rod at least 14 inches long
• Wood glue
• Primer and paint
• Paintbrush
• Carpet 49 inches x 17 inches
• 1-½ inches screws
• Nail gun with 1-¼ inches nails
• Drill
• Circular saw or table saw
• Jigsaw
• Sander and sandpaper
• Spray adhesive

2) This Old House DIY Dog Ramp

Image credit: www.thisoldhouse.com

This DIY dog ramp from This Old House is a low-cost, easy-to-assemble option that’s perfect for anyone looking to create a dog ramp for their canine companion.

Skill Level: Easy

Estimated Time: 4 hours over 2 days

Tools and Materials Needed:

• Jigsaw
• Drill/driver
• ⅜-inch drill bit
• Paintbrush
• Putty knife
• Screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench
• Plywood bottom – 14 x 31½ inches
• (2) 1×5 sides – 12½ inches
• (2) 1×5 sides – 45 inches
• 1×5 bottom crosspiece – 14 inches
• (2) 1×5 legs – 15½ inches
• 1×5 leg crosspieces – 14½ inches
• 1×16 lid – 45½ inches
• 1×3 block handle – 7 inches
• Non-slip rug

3) Irresistible Pets DIY Dog Ramp

This DIY dog ramp from Irresistible Pets is designed to help dogs with mobility issues get onto tall beds without needing to jump. The sizes are specific to the creator’s bed, but you can customize the measurements to your needs.

Skill Level: Advanced

Estimated time: 4 hours

Tools and Materials Needed:

• One 4×8 sheet of Plywood (at least 3/4 inch thickness)
• One 2×2 8-foot strip to create support beams
• Circular Saw
• Power Drill
• Screws
• Measuring Tape
• Pencil
• Sandpaper
• Paint
• Paint Brushes/Roller
• Carpet
• Carpet Tape

4) Instructables DIY Dog Ramp

Image credit: www.instructables.com

If you’re looking for a quick, easy ramp solution for your dog, this DIY dog ramp from Instructables is the option for you. The materials cost less than $32 in total, so it’s also a great budget-friendly option.

Skill Level: Easy

Estimated Time: 1 hour

Tools and Materials Needed

• (2) Wire closet shelves – 6 feet
• Zip ties
• Outdoor carpet – 6×2 feet
• Awl

5) Family Handyman DIY Collapsible Dog Ramp

This DIY dog ramp from Family Handyman is a quick and fairly simple project that you can put together in one afternoon. Plus, it’s collapsible to make smart storage and moving the ramp easier.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Estimated Time: A few hours

Tools and Materials Needed

• Clamps
• Drill/driver
• Jigsaw
• Miter saw
• Staple gun
• Wrench
• 1-1/16-inch x 12 inches continuous hinge
• 1-¼ inch construction screws
• (2) ¼ inch nylon nuts
• (4) ¼ inch washers
• (2) 1/4 x 3-½ inches carriage bolt
• 2′ x 4′ ½ inches plywood
• 2′ x 4′ piece of carpet
• 2-inch construction screws
• (3) 8′ 1×2 lumber
• (4) 8′ 1×4 lumber
• Staples

6) Fox & Brie DIY Dog Ramp

Image credit: www.foxandbrie.wordpress.com

This DIY dog ramp from Fox & Brie comes together quickly and affordably, with materials coming in at less than $40. Because of the waterproofing and indoor-outdoor carpeting, this ramp is also great for outdoor use as well.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Estimated Time: 1.5 hours

Tools and Materials Needed

• (2) 12-inch x ¾ inch planks
• 120-inch beam, cut into 5 equal pieces – 24 inches long each
• (6) strips of wood casing – 24 inches long each
• Indoor-outdoor carpeting – 24 inches long
• (12) ⅜ or ½-inch wood screws
• (1) 2.5-inch wood screws
• Waterproofing primer/paint
• Outdoor carpet glue
• Power screwdriver
• Power saw
• Tape measure
• Paintbrush

7) My Repurposed Life DIY Dog Ramp

This DIY dog ramp from My Repurposed Life is an easy project to put together, and it’s made from all scrap materials, making it the perfect option for crafty pet parents with scrap materials around the house.

Skill Level: Easy

Estimated Time: A few hours

Tools and Materials Needed

• Cabinet door
• Small piece of plywood – based on your couch height
• Piano hinge and screws
• Drill
• Carpet remnant
• Staple gun
• Utility knife
• Scissors
• Duct tape
• Paint stick
• Wood glue (optional)

8) WikiHow DIY Dog Ramp

This DIY dog ramp from WikiHow is easy to customize to your dog’s needs, from the height of the ramp to the non-slip material you use to cover it. While it does require measuring and cutting materials, it’s also possible to get those measurements cut for you at your local hardware store, cutting down on assembly time.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Estimated Time: 1 day

Tools and Materials Needed

• Plywood
• Pine boards
• Nails
• Tape measure
• Power drill
• Power screwdriver
• (2) 3 1/2 -inch carriage bolts
• (2) ¼-inch washers
• ¼-inch drill bit
• 3/8 -inch drill bit
• 2-inch construction screws
• 1/4 -inch construction screws
• Carpet
• 180-grit sandpaper
• Protective glasses
• Dust mask

9) Make Something DIY Dog Ramp

This DIY dog ramp from Make Something is for those with more advanced woodworking skills, but it features storage, making it a great choice for someone with limited space in their bedroom.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Estimated Time: 1 day

Tools and Materials Needed

• Table saw
• Clamps
• Bandsaw
• Table saw sled
• Pocket hole screw kit
• Drill
• 30-inch hinges
• Edge banding
• Edge banding trimmer

Are You Ready to Make Your Own Dog Ramp?

Dog ramps are a great mobility solution for older dogs, injured dogs, or smaller breeds that need a little extra help getting up on tall surfaces. And if you have a blind dog, a ramp can be an indispensable tool in helping them stay safe and secure.

There are a wide variety of projects to try, ranging in budget and time, so you can find a solution that works for you, no matter what your DIY abilities are. You can even use scrap wood and other materials you have lying around, making the cost of your project even cheaper. Now that you’ve seen some ideas, it’s time to get started on your own DIY ramp. Good luck!