15 Best Dog Boat Ramps 2025: Pontoons, Ladders, Docks & More (Reviews)
Canine Bible is reader-supported. We receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Learn more.
This guide will provide all the information you need to find the best dog boat ramps for pontoon boats, yachts, or any other type of boat you might have. When boating or swimming near a dock, getting in and out of the water can be challenging and hazardous for dogs. While some dogs may love to jump into the water, others may be unable to due to arthritis, anxiety, or fear. What if your dog needs to exit the water but can’t reach the surface when you’re not paying attention or are away? For these reasons, dog boat ramps or ladders can be incredibly useful as they provide a simulated shoreline and offer an easy entry and exit point into the water for dogs. This guide covers everything you need to know about boat ramps for dogs, including our top picks for each category. Let’s dive in!
Best Dog Ramp For Boat — At A Glance
What Is A Dog Boat Ramp?
A dog boat ramp is a floating platform that allows dogs to get in and out of the water onto a boat platform, dock, or swimming pool deck without assistance. Boat dog ramps simulate the shoreline, ensuring your dog is safe from potential injuries by falling into the pool or the water. It’s a stress-free way for dog owners to lift their dogs out of the water manually.
How to Pick The Best Boat Ramps for Dogs
Here are the top features and characteristics to look for when selecting a dog boat ramp for your dog.
Top Reasons For Using Dog Boat Ramps & Stairs
Here are some common reasons dogs need a boat ramp or stairs.
- Avoid injuries: Although some dogs can climb back into boats, dogs are not ergonomically built to climb onto a boat or deck. Severe injuries to hips and joints could occur over time.
- Mobility and other issues: Dog boat ramps are excellent for dogs that love the water but have mobility issues, are afraid of jumping, have anxiety problems, arthritis, or are of advanced age.
- Save your back: Get your dog out of the water safely and quickly without risking injuring your back. You’ll save yourself some bumps and bruises.
- Heavy dogs: Some dog breeds are too big to lift out of the water. If you’ve ever tried to lift a heavy, wet dog out of the water onto a dock or boat, you know how difficult it can be.
- Easy access to the boat: Your dog will enjoy swimming time a lot more while you have the peace of mind that your dog will return to the boat safely and on its own.
Best Dog Boat Ramps Reviews
Here are the best dog boat ramps of the year.
Be sure to compare the size of the boat ramp with the installation area to ensure a proper fit before purchasing.
Dog-DOK
The Dog-DOK Inflatable Dock Platform is the best dog boat ramp for owners seeking the highest quality, most versatile, safest and convenient boat ramp for their pets to access the water. It’s particularly beneficial for those with boats or waterfront properties, providing a stable platform for dogs to climb onto after swimming. We recommend the Dog-DOK because of its thoughtful design and high-quality materials. The platform is crafted with durability in mind, ensuring it withstands regular use in various water conditions. Users have praised the product’s excellence, noting that even the hardware, ropes, carrying case, and installation instructions are meticulously designed. One reviewer likened the unboxing experience to that of an Apple product, highlighting the attention to detail that far exceeded expectations for a dog accessory. Unlike rigid ramps, this platform can be deflated and packed away when not in use, saving valuable space. Additionally, its stability on the water ensures that dogs feel secure when climbing aboard, reducing hesitation and promoting confidence.
Pet Step
Pet Step Folding Pet Ramp is our pick for the best dog boat ramp. While Petstep Folding Pet Ramp is not explicitly designed for pool or boat use, it’s versatile and can fit most boats thanks to a universal non-slip grip that fits all vehicles and edges. Pet Step’s dog boat boarding ramp assists dogs in getting on and off the car and other vehicles, boats, and pools. It’s made from high-quality materials and has a soft non-slip rubberized walking surface for superior traction. It’s made from advanced composite plastic construction, so it will not rust or corrode and can be cleaned with soap and water. When using this ramp for your pool or boat, you may need to add points of attachment, depending on the resting surface of your boat.
Harbor Mate
Harbor Mate’s aluminum heavy-duty ramp wins the medal for best dog ramp for pontoon boats. This ramp acts as a bridge between your pontoon boat and the shore (or dock). Its heavy-duty built and 600-pound weight capacity makes it accessing docks, floats, or the beach safe and accessible for all your passengers (children, dogs) and equipment (fully-loaded coolers). It’s our pick for the best dog ramp for pontoon boats due to its loading and unloading capacity, easy setup, and excellent customer feedback. You will find a high-traction grit coat surface for additional safety. And it comes with self-drilling/self-tapping mounting screws for easy installation. This ramp is an excellent addition to your pontoon boat gear if you always load and unload heavy stuff. It can also be used on other types of boats.
Great Day
If you have a speedboat, sailboat, or any boat and need a boat platform for dogs, the Great Day Dog Platform is a great option. This platform provides an easy way for your dog to leave and re-enter the boat as he pleases. It’s easy to install. Hook this dog water ramp to your boat’s boarding ladder, and you are ready to go! It’s made from quality materials and has gripping ridges for excellent traction when your dog tries to climb back into the boat after a swim. It comes with a generous 14″ by 20″ platform that can easily be folded for compact storage—no more bending and tugging your wet furry friend out of the water. The off-white, powder-coat finish complements the factory finish color of any boat and ensures years of dependable service. It’s also available in green. This brand takes the spot for the best boat swim platform for dogs.
SOLBREEZE
If you are looking for the best dog ladder for a pontoon boat, the SOLBREEZE Premium Dog Ladder is your best option. This pontoon boat ladder can be easily mounted to the deck of most pontoon boats or any type of boat. Once installed, your dog can swim to the underwater platform, giving him a solid and sturdy surface to quickly get in and out of the water. Pet SOLBREEZE provides a pet-friendly, stable, easy-to-use boat ladder for pontoons or boats without swim platforms. It mounts to the boat swim platform or side gate. It’s made from a non-corrosive material, so you don’t have to worry about rust. Pulling dogs onto the boat can result in scratches, harm to the owner, or even damage to your boat. With the SOLBREEZE, your dog will no longer struggle to reboard your boat from the water and risk injuries.
Solstice
The metal for the best-floating dog boat ramp for pontoon boats (and any boat) goes to the Solstice Inflatable Pup Plank Pet Ramp Series for Pets. Solstice Docking Solutions is a reputable company that offers a family of floating solutions for boats and docks. This floating dog boat ramp design consists of drop-stitch construction that creates a rigid, comfortable feel when inflated for unmatched stability. Additionally, it has an EVA traction pad that serves as a comfortable launch pad. Perfect for all swimming environments, including off the boat, on the dock, or in the pool. You can secure your pup plank anywhere you go, thanks to its built-in D-Rings & two 8-foot tie-ropes. It comes with a pump, carry bag, and repair kit.
Creekside
The Creekside Metalworks Boat Boarding Platform Dock Step is what you need to bridge the gap between your dock (pier head or walkway) and the boarding platform on your boat. This dog water ramp for docks is one sturdy beast, rock-solid, bulletproof, and indestructible. Other features include an anti-slip decking and removable handrail that can be folded up when unused. Because every mounting location is different, mounting hardware is not included. It does come with four 1/2″ mounting holes on the top and two on the side. If you are looking for a dog ramp for boat docks, this high-quality dog dock ramp for boats is perfect.
POP
Are you looking for the best dog boat ladder? A dog boat stair like the one from POP is an excellent choice. POP’s dog boat ladder has an underwater tilting weighted net step system, making entry and exit easy for dogs. The steps provide extra support and help your dog launch upward more efficiently than regular dog ramps. It’s perfect for seniors, dogs with mobility issues, overweight pups, or health issues like arthritis. It’s made from durable, rugged material that’s also soft on your dog’s joints. POP’s dog boat boarding ladder provides an easy exit, reducing the risk of straining or injuring joints. It’s portable, lightweight, durable, and easily attached and removed from any boat ladder. It fits almost all boat ladders.
Momarsh
Whether you are looking for the best boat dog ramp for duck hunting or any hunting boat, Momarsh Ramp Stand is your best option. The lightweight, foldable, and fully adjustable features make this dog boat ramp a great addition to their arsenal for hunters. With its gunnel clamps and adjustable sidewall positioning system, it can adapt to the contours of a wide range of boats in multiple locations. Momarsh can also function as a dog boat ladder and a hang-on timber stand, making it the only one of its kind. It features tree grabber teeth, clamps for boats, webbing straps for added traction, and a durable mesh floor. Using the gunnel clamps as gear hooks in the timber is another benefit. The two-stage step system allows your dog to reach the platform even in deeper water, where he may not get to the bottom alone.
WaterDog
If you own a fishing or hunting boat and want to bring your dog on your water sports adventures, the WaterDog Adventure Dog Ladder is the best way your furry companion can easily access and exit the water. Its versatile design allows it to be used with almost any fishing or hunting boat design. The steps have a high traction surface, adding to dogs’ walking safety. It features a “space-frame” design that minimizes the force and effects of surrounding water currents. It’s sturdy but engineered for lightweight use and suitable for dogs of all sizes. It is also designed to mount over Jon boats’ gunwale or transom lip.
Pet Safe
What’s the best dog ramp for my yacht? Our pick for the best dog ramp for yachts is PetSafe’s Solvit Telescoping Ramp. It’s longer than other ramps. It can be extended up to 72″ inches long, so it’s perfect for reaching the deck of your yacht. It has a telescoping design, supporting over 400 pounds with no bending. It’s made from aluminum and plastic, which helps make the ramp both extremely light and incredibly durable. It’s also a good option for most types of boats.
Other Dog Boat Ramps
Dog Boat Ramps Maintenance
Here are some guidelines to give your dog boat ramp the proper maintenance to remain clean and in tip-top shape.
Train Your Dog To Use a Dog Boat Ramp
How do I train a dog to use dog boat ramps? Here is a step-by-step guide.
- Step1. Arm yourself with your clicker and a bag of his favorite treats
- Step 2. Let the boat ramp sit in the room so your pup gets used to its presence. Once he is familiar with this new object, proceed to the next step.
- Step 3. Start with your dog on the leash on the same side they will be on to use the ramp.
- Step 4. Walk over to the bottom of the ramp and start walking next to the ramp. If your dog starts walking up the ramp, reward the behavior. Repeat this daily about 5 to 10 times.
- Step 5. If your dog is afraid of the ramp or seems hesitant, never force him onto the ramp. Simple, position his favorite treat just out of reach along the ramp. This will encourage Fido to take a step on the ramp. Reward only when they step on the ramp, even if it’s just one step.
- Step 6. Once Fido is more comfortable with the ram, raise the bar. Lure him until he takes a second step. Keep increasing the number of steps before rewarding.
- Step 7. By now, your dog can walk across the ramp independently when instructed. Once in the water, he will know what to do instinctively.
DIY Dog Boat Ramp
Watch this video on how to make a homemade dog boat ladder or ramp for your boat.
DIY Dog Ramp For Boat Dock
Here is another genius way to build a ramp for your dock.
Dog Boating Tips & Best Practices
Ensure your dog wears a life jacket in and out of the boat to keep them safe. A dog life jacket helps keep your dog afloat if they fall overboard, making it easier for you to bring them back on board. Additionally, installing both a dog boat ramp and a dock boat ramp creates a safer environment, allowing your dog to enter and exit the boat easily. Always supervise your dog while they are on board or in the water. Lastly, review local and state water regulations for any rules regarding pets on boats.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
We hope this post helped you find the best dog boat ramp for your needs. Having one of these ramps will make your next boating adventure much more enjoyable, especially for dogs with arthritis or those scared of boats.
A dog boat ramp, ladder, or platform effectively keeps the fur kids safe in the water. Plus, you will never have to go through the cumbersome process of lifting your big wet dog onto the boat again.
Sources
Canine Bible authorship represents the unified voice of our entire editorial team and our in-house veterinarians rather than a single author. Each article, blog post, and review published under the Canine Bible name undergoes a rigorous review process, involving all team members to guarantee accuracy and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. This collaborative effort is an integral part of our editorial process and aligns with our four pillars of content creation. This approach ensures our content is backed by expert knowledge and factual information, offering our readers reliable, actionable, and trustworthy content.
