How to Measure Your Bed Height for Animal Stairs

Measure from the floor straight up to the top of the mattress, not the bed frame, to find the right stair height for your pet.

Getting the measurement right is the difference between stairs your pet uses confidently and stairs that end in an awkward jump. Dog and cat stairs are sized by the height they bridge, so an accurate floor-to-mattress measurement is the foundation for every other choice.

The Correct Measurement: Floor to Mattress Top

Stand a tape measure vertically on the floor beside the bed and extend it to the top surface the animal will step onto — the top of the mattress, not the frame, box spring, or sheets (unless your pet regularly walks on a thick comforter that changes the height). Snoozer Pet Products’ guide on choosing dog stairs emphasizes this: the pet steps onto the mattress, so that’s the height that matters.

If your bed has a mattress topper, pillow-top layer, or thick pad, include it — those layers add real height and can change the stair size by an inch or more. The same logic applies to couches: measure from the floor to the top of the usable sitting surface. Measure twice; a few centimeters of error can shift you into the wrong stair size.

What the Numbers Mean for Sizing

The sizing rule is straightforward: the stair’s top landing should sit flush with the mattress or within 1–2 inches of it — close enough for a comfortable step without forcing a jump. The Family Handyman’s DIY dog stair guide applies the same logic. Step rise — the vertical height of each step — depends on your pet’s size and mobility:

• 6–8 inches per step: common for healthy adult dogs on standard bed heights.
• 4–6 inches per step: better for smaller dogs, senior pets, or mild mobility issues.
• 3–4 inches per step: the gentlest option for joint problems or significant mobility challenges.

The total number of stairs follows: divide bed height by step rise, then round to the nearest whole step. For unusually high beds, PetFairs’ veterinary safety guide notes that more steps with gentler rises, or even a ramp, may serve better. A safe ramp slope runs about 18–22 degrees, with a length roughly 2.5–3 times the bed height.

Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid

The most frequent error is measuring to the bed frame instead of the mattress top — frames sit lower, leaving stairs that come up short and require a final jump. Forgetting the topper or thick pad is the second most common slip, just as costly in the other direction. Beyond height, check the space beside the bed: the stairs need room at the base and clearance from walls and walkways. And don’t buy by breed alone — two dogs of the same breed can face different bed heights depending on frame, mattress thickness, and topper. The actual measurement always wins.

Matching Stairs to Your Pet’s Needs

Height is only half the fit equation. Match stairs to your animal’s leg length, age, and mobility. A young, agile dog may handle a steeper rise comfortably, while the same rise could be hard for a senior pet or one with joint issues — keep the rise lower and consider a ramp for those animals. Tread depth matters too: the pet should land fully on each step, so check the overall footprint, not just height. Stability is non-negotiable — wobbly stairs will spook even a confident dog. Once you have your measurement and your pet’s needs in mind, the choice narrows quickly. When you’re ready to compare tested options, our roundup of the best animal stairs for beds breaks down the models worth considering.

The whole process comes down to one tape measure, one vertical line, and one honest look at how your pet moves. Measure floor to mattress top, include the topper, check the space, and match the step rise to mobility — the right stairs become the easy choice.