Best Pet Stairs for Cats in 2026: Ranked Picks
Cats don't ask for help climbing onto the bed until their knees start telling them otherwise — and by then, most owners are shopping for pet stairs in a hurry. This guide ranks the pet stairs worth buying in 2026, from bedside basics to the setups that fold away when guests come over.
- Furmates 1Step Pet Stair with Storage is the best pet stairs for cats needing one low, single step to the bed — Buy.
- The 2Step version fits taller bed frames and small dogs at $49.95 in 2026 — Buy.
- Foam wedge ramps help arthritic cats more than hard-edged steps but shift on slick floors — Consider.
- Folding telescoping stairs pack away easily but flex under a jumping cat — Skip for daily use.
Why this matters
A cat that stops jumping onto the bed isn't being lazy — joints stiffen with age, and a 24 to 28 inch leap becomes a real decision, not a reflex. Furmates built its pet stairs line around that exact gap: getting a cat or small dog up to bed height without a bulky ramp taking over the bedroom floor.
The wrong pet stairs for cats aren't dangerous, they're just ignored. A step too tall, too narrow, or too wobbly gets skipped in favor of the old running jump, which defeats the entire purpose. The right pick matches your cat's size, your bed height, and how much floor space you're willing to give up.
How we ranked
Each entry below is judged on four things: step height relative to a standard bed frame, surface grip, added storage value, and price relative to what the design delivers. Furmates' own catalog anchors two of the five picks because they're purpose-built for bedside use in 2026 — the 1Step and 2Step models. The remaining picks cover common pet stair categories owners compare against, ranked by how they hold up for a cat's lighter, more cautious climbing style versus a dog's.
Verdicts are blunt: Buy means put it in the cart, Consider means it fits specific situations, Skip means most cat owners will be happier elsewhere.
The ranked list
1. Furmates 1Step Pet Stair with Storage — the simple fix
One step, one job: get a cat or small dog from floor to bed without drama. It's priced at $39.95 in 2026, which makes it the cheapest way to solve a single-jump problem, and it doubles as a storage basket underneath for blankets or toys. Cats that hesitate at a full staircase usually take to a single low step within days because there's nothing intimidating about it. If your bed frame sits low and your cat just needs one boost, this is the 1Step Pet Stair with Storage. Buy.
2. Furmates 2Step Pet Stairs with Storage — the taller-bed answer
Taller frames need a middle step, and that's where the 2Step model earns its $49.95 price tag in 2026. Two shallower steps put less strain on a cat's hips than one tall jump, and the hidden storage compartment means you're not sacrificing closet space to fit it in. It works for small dogs too, which matters in multi-pet households. Buy if your bed sits higher than about 24 inches off the floor.
3. Foam wedge ramps — the gentle option
No steps, no edges — just a sloped incline a cat can walk straight up. That makes foam ramps a solid pick for arthritic cats who struggle with any lift at all, and vets commonly recommend low-angle ramps for exactly this reason. The downside is footprint: a ramp needs roughly twice the floor length of a two-step design to keep the incline gentle enough. Consider for senior cats with joint pain; skip if bedroom space is tight.
4. Carpeted wooden stairs — the sturdy but bulky pick
Solid wood construction with a carpeted tread holds up to heavier daily use and gives the most secure footing of any option here. But the bulk is real — these units are harder to move, harder to store, and usually cost more once you add comparable storage features. Cats adapt to them fine; it's the furniture footprint that trips owners up in smaller bedrooms. Consider for larger rooms, skip for apartments.
5. Folding telescoping stairs — the space-saver with a catch
These collapse flat for storage, which sounds ideal until a cat lands on one mid-jump and the frame flexes. Lightweight materials keep them portable but sacrifice the rigidity a cat needs to trust a step completely, and hesitant cats often refuse a stair that wobbles even once. Fine for occasional travel use. Skip for everyday bedside duty.
Comparison table
| Pick | Step height | Storage | Price (2026) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furmates 1Step | Single low step | Yes, built-in | $39.95 | Buy |
| Furmates 2Step | Two shallow steps | Yes, built-in | $49.95 | Buy |
| Foam wedge ramp | No steps, sloped | No | Varies | Consider |
| Carpeted wooden stairs | 2-3 steps | Rarely | Varies | Consider |
| Folding telescoping stairs | 2-3 steps | No | Varies | Skip |
Cats climbing higher furniture, not just the bed, need a different kind of setup — the guide on pet stairs for cats to reach high perches and windowsills covers that scenario in more depth.
Where to buy
- Buy directly from the Furmates site when you want the storage-basket versions, since the 1Step and 2Step designs aren't identical to generic pet stairs sold elsewhere.
- Bundle a pet stair order with a bed or accessory purchase to clear the $75 free-shipping threshold in 2026 — stairs alone often sit under that line.
- Skip marketplace listings with no stated step height or weight rating; that missing detail usually means the stair wasn't designed with cats in mind.
FAQ
What are the best pet stairs for cats in 2026?
The Furmates 1Step Pet Stair with Storage is the best pet stairs for cats needing one low step, priced at $39.95 in 2026. The 2Step model at $49.95 suits taller bed frames and adds a second step.
Are pet stairs better than ramps for cats?
Stairs work better for most healthy cats because they take up less floor space than a ramp. Ramps are gentler on arthritic joints but need roughly twice the length to keep the incline low.
How tall should pet stairs be for a cat?
Each step should stay low enough that a cat can climb without a real jump, generally under 8 inches per step for beds around 24 to 28 inches tall. Taller bed frames need two steps rather than one.
Do pet stairs work for small dogs too?
Yes — both the Furmates 1Step and 2Step models are built to hold small dogs as well as cats. Weight and paw size matter more than species for whether a stair design fits.
How much do pet stairs cost?
Furmates pet stairs with storage run $39.95 to $49.95 in 2026 depending on the number of steps. Non-storage versions from other sellers vary widely in price and build quality.
Can pet stairs help an arthritic cat?
Low, shallow steps reduce the strain of jumping and are commonly recommended for cats with joint pain. A foam ramp is worth considering if even one shallow step is too much for a severely arthritic cat.
Do pet stairs with storage save space?
Yes — the storage basket underneath a Furmates pet stair replaces a separate storage bin, which matters most in small bedrooms and apartments.
Will my cat actually use pet stairs?
Most cats adopt a low, single step within days because it removes the hesitation a full jump causes. Wobbly or narrow stairs get ignored, which is why grip and stability matter more than looks.
One last thing
The detail owners miss most: a cat that refuses a stair usually isn't rejecting the concept, it's rejecting the wobble. Test any stair with your own hand pressed on the top step before trusting it to a cat mid-leap — if it flexes under your palm, it'll flex under a jump too.