Pet Gear Easy Step III Pet Stairs, 3 Step for Cats/Dogs, Rem

The Verdict

If your 14-year-old cat has started eyeing the bed like it’s a cliff face, the Pet Gear Easy Step III is the kind of purchase you make once and forget about — until you realize you’ve stopped lifting your dog on and off the couch every morning. This 3-step stair sits right in the middle of the market: cheaper than the fancy wooden ramps, sturdier than the foam blocks that compress into pancakes.

What you actually get

The box contains three interlocking steps, a fabric cover that wraps the whole unit, and the tread pieces already attached. Assembled dimensions come to roughly 18 inches high, 16 inches deep, and 16 inches wide. The steps are molded plastic with a textured “GripTex” surface on each tread — not carpet, which is a deliberate choice. Carpet traps odors and claws; this material wipes down with a damp cloth.

The cover is the standout feature. It’s got a zipper running along the back, and it pulls off for machine washing. Multiple buyers confirmed it goes back on without needing three hands and a spatula — a genuine complaint with competing models like the PetSafe stairs.

How it performs in real homes

The stairs work best when placed against a bed frame or sofa where the top step sits flush with the surface. The bottom step has a non-slip pad underneath, which keeps the unit from sliding on hardwood or tile. For cats, the step height is comfortable — roughly 6 inches per rise, which is well within the range even arthritic cats can manage.

Dogs under 30 pounds use it confidently. One reviewer wrote, “My elderly dachshund was terrified of jumping off the bed. He took to these stairs in two days, and now he uses them to get up and down at 3am without waking me.” Another noted, “The tread grips better than the carpeted stairs I had before — my corgi used to slide on the old ones.”

Where it stumbles

The 18-inch height is the hard ceiling. If your bed sits higher than 20 inches (platform beds and taller mattresses are common), the top step won’t reach the surface, and your pet faces a jump from the last step. That defeats the purpose. Measure before buying.

Stability is the second compromise. At 6.5 pounds, the stairs stay put for small pets, but a 60-pound dog putting weight on the top step can shift the whole unit sideways. Several reviews from owners of larger breeds noted this — the fix is placing it against a wall or using double-sided tape on the base, but it’s worth knowing going in.

The light gray cover shows fur. If you have a black lab or a shedding cat, you’ll be vacuuming the steps weekly. It’s not a dealbreaker, but the darker color options would’ve been smarter.

Who should buy this

• Small dog owners with seniors or pups recovering from surgery — the low step height and traction are genuinely helpful
• Cat owners whose felines are getting older but still insist on sleeping on the bed
• Anyone tired of carrying a pet up and down multiple times a day

Skip it if you have a large breed dog over 50 pounds, a bed over 20 inches tall, or you want something that blends into your decor — this is functional plastic, not furniture.

FAQ

Will my cat actually use these stairs? Most do, but it helps to place treats on each step for the first few days. Cats that have never used stairs may need a week of encouragement. Some cats will simply keep jumping — those cats exist.

Can these hold a 40-pound dog? Yes, the weight rating is 150 pounds, but the stability issue kicks in around 50 pounds. For a 40-pound dog that moves deliberately, it’s fine.

How do I wash the cover? Unzip it from the frame, machine wash cold, air dry. The cover shrinks slightly if you machine dry it, so stick to air drying.

The verdict: 4.2/5

The Pet Gear Easy Step III is a solid, reasonably priced solution for the most common pet access problem — getting small pets onto beds and sofas without strain. It’s not perfect: the height limit and stability ceiling are real constraints. But for cats and dogs under 40 pounds, it works reliably, cleans up easily, and beats the price of the premium alternatives by a wide margin.

Buy it if your pet is small to medium, your furniture is under 20 inches tall, and you want something you can actually wash. Skip it if you’ve got a big dog, a high bed, or you’re hoping for a furniture-grade appearance.

This review was written based on product specifications and verified buyer feedback. Prices and availability change frequently — check the link for current pricing.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.