Why It’s Safer to Keep Your Dog Off the Stairs

We’ve written before about the surprising statistics on the wear and tear that a staircase can inflict on your dog’s bones and joints. While a staircase looks like a small feat for us or even larger dogs, the truth is that the stairs are quite difficult for pups of all shapes and sizes to maneuver safely without increasing their risk for accidents and long-term damage to their bodies.

For smaller dogs, it’s more obvious how the stairs can pose a threat. Corgis, dachshunds, and basset hounds--with their signature short legs and long bodies--do not have the agility required to safely navigate the stairs, which can lead to spinal and disc injuries. For larger breeds or senior dogs that are often predisposed to hip dysplasia, daily stair trips add strain to their hind legs and hips. Home staircases also lack any sort of grip for adventurous paws, increasing your pup’s chances of slipping and injuring themselves in a fall.

Furthermore, allowing dogs to have full access to the stairs is a potential danger for owners. Smaller dogs, especially, are more likely to get underfoot and pose as a trip hazard, and any stray dog toys that have been abandoned on the stairs during play can also lead to accidents.

Just as homes are not built with baby safety in mind, they are not built with pet safety in mind, either. Limiting your dog’s stair access helps decrease the risk of accidents for all family members--both human and canine--and will ensure that your pup doesn’t wear out their delicate joints and bones prematurely. The gate solution for staircases without two flat surfaces, The Stair Barrier enables you to dog-proof the stairs without detracting from the style of your home.