DIY of the Week: Let’s Build a Pet Ramp

DIY of the WeekLet’s Build a Pet Ramp

This week’s DIY was inspired by those that are happiest that we’re quarantining and staying at home, our dogs! This project is perfect for those whose furbabies are either too small or getting a little too old to get onto the couch or the bed by themselves.

As we all know, pet stuff in retail can get pretty expensive. Pet ramps on Amazon can go for as high as $149 a pop, plus shipping! Our DIY pet ramp is customizable and can be built with materials that are probably already available at home. As a bonus, this pet ramp also doubles as storage spaces for you or for your pooch!

 

Materials Needed for a Pet Ramp:

  • Measuring tape
  • A set of wooden nesting crates ($16)
  • Wood glue
  • Pink Power PP182 18 Volt NiCad Cordless Drill Kit
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • 1x10 board (16)
  • Door hinge
  • Small rough rug
  • Carpet tape
  • Miter/circle saw or you can get the wood cut for you at the hardware store
  • Pencil


Steps

Here are the 5 easy steps to build our DIY Pet Ramp, using the PP128 inspired by HGTV!


Step 1: Measure your bed or your couch

Using the tape measure, plot out the dimensions of your ramp where your doggies like to crash most. Measure the height from the floor to the edge bed or the couch. From the top of the bed, measure out an incline that you’re sure your dog can easily climb. 


Side note: If you’re getting your wood cut for you, it is important to do this before you go shopping for materials.

 

Step 2: Arrange your crates

Sort out your crates in a stair-like shape, stacking them as needed. This step will largely depend on the height of your bed or couch and the size of your crates. Your highest crate should be as high or nearly as high as the top of your mattress or your couch cushions. 

 

 

Step 3: Finalize the crate positions

Once you’ve got the configuration of the crates down, it’s time to glue them together. If you have them, clamp the glued sides together and let them dry for 3-4 hours. Once secure, nail the sides together. If the sides of your top crate are not solid, we recommend attaching a piece of wood so that your pup’s foot doesn’t slip through the gaps.

 

 

Step 4: Prepare the ramp

Take your 1x10 board that’s been cut the length from the diagram earlier (from the top of the couch to the floor). This will serve as the main ramp. Align the edge of your ramp with the top of the steps, like the diagram below.




Place the hinge at where the top crate and mark the places where you will be drilling in the holes for the screws. Grab your Pink Power PP182 18 Volt NiCad Cordless Drill Kit and drill the holes onto the stairs and the board. At just less than 3 pounds, this tool is lightweight and easy to use

Still using the Pink Power PP128, grab the flathead or Philipps screwdriver bit that comes with the kit and screw on the hinge to the board. The drill has a magnetic square base where you can place your screws so you won’t misplace them. After all, who wants to spend 15 minutes patting around the floor, trying to find your screws? Convenient right?

 

Once secured, measure out your rug to wrap the board. You may want to look for a rug that’s textured since the purpose of this is to keep your dog from slipping when going up or down the ramp. Cut your rug with electric scissors for fabric or regular craft scissors. Glue the rug onto the board and allow it to try for a few hours before attaching it to the stairs.

Step 5: Assemble the ramp

Once everything glued on is completely dry, it’s time to assemble! Screw on the other half of the hinge to the top of the stairs, style the mini crate shelves however you prefer, and voila! No more begging or scratching the sides of the couch or your bed, no more puppy dog eyes to guilt you for not carrying them to bed, just endless cuddles and extra storage for you!

 

 

As a disclaimer, we will not accept any responsibility of you waking up to a face full of hot ham breath in the morning!

 


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