Best Pet Stairs for Hardwood Floors 2026: Top Pick
Best pet stairs for hardwood floors overall: the Furmates 2Step Pet Stairs with Storage. Best for low beds and sofas where one small step is enough: the Furmates 1Step Pet Stairs with Storage.
- Furmates 2Step Pet Stairs with Storage wins for tall beds and couches on hardwood in 2026.
- Furmates 1Step Pet Stairs with Storage suits low furniture and pets who only need one small hop.
- A wide, low-angle base matters more on hardwood than step count — check the footprint before buying.
- Add a rug or mat under any stair set on hardwood for extra grip, especially with senior pets.
Why this matters
Hardwood and tile turn a routine jump onto the bed into a slip risk. Paws find no traction on polished wood, and older dogs or cats with joint pain feel that instability the most. Pet stairs solve the vertical gap, but only if the base holds still on a slick surface.
Furmates designs its stair options around gentle steps rather than one hard jump — see the full Furmates lineup — which is the safer approach for hardwood homes in 2026. If your floors get wet from mudroom traffic or spilled water bowls, pair any stair set with a grip mat; the guide on how to keep pet stairs non-slip in wet weather covers setup tips worth a look before you buy.
What makes the best pet stairs for hardwood floors
- A wide, low-slope base that resists tipping on smooth surfaces
- Non-slip material on the base, or an easy way to add a mat underneath
- Step height gentle enough for your pet's leg length and jumping habits
- Enough depth per step so back paws land fully before the next push
- A footprint that fits your room instead of blocking a doorway or walkway
- A surface that wipes down fast, since hardwood shows scuffs and shed hair quickly
Pet stairs for hardwood floors at a glance
| Stairs | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furmates 2Step Pet Stairs with Storage | Tall beds, sofas, multi-step climbs | Storage basket built into the base | Larger footprint needs more floor clearance |
| Furmates 1Step Pet Stairs with Storage | Low beds, sofas, single small hop | Compact single-step design with hidden storage | Only one step height, not enough rise for tall bed frames |
1. Furmates 2Step Pet Stairs with Storage: best pet stairs for hardwood floors overall
The 2Step Pet Stairs with Storage breaks a tall climb into two smaller steps, so your dog or cat lands with less impact on hardwood than one long jump would produce. A storage basket sits underneath the steps, turning dead floor space next to the bed into a spot for leashes, toys, or blankets.
Furmates 2Step pros:
- Two gentle steps reduce the strain of one long jump onto a tall bed or couch
- Hidden storage basket uses space that would otherwise sit empty
- Works well in multi-pet households where more than one animal climbs the same steps
Furmates 2Step cons:
- Takes up more hardwood floor space than a single step — measure the run before buying
- Two steps mean two edges to keep clear of loose rugs or cords nearby
Best for: Tall bed frames, deep sofas, and homes with more than one pet using the stairs.
Verdict: Buy if your bed or couch sits high enough that your furry friend hesitates before jumping.
2. Furmates 1Step Pet Stairs with Storage: best pet stairs for low furniture
The 1Step Pet Stairs with Storage covers a single, smaller gap — the space between the floor and a low bed, sofa, or window seat. It carries the same hidden storage basket as the 2Step, just in a shorter footprint built for tighter rooms.
Furmates 1Step pros:
- Smaller footprint fits apartments and bedrooms where floor space beside the bed is tight
- One step is enough for cats and small dogs who only need a small lift on hardwood
- Storage basket still functions despite the compact size
Furmates 1Step cons:
- Not enough rise for tall bed frames or high sofas — the gap stays too big for one step
- Bigger or heavier dogs may find the second step on the 2Step more comfortable
Best for: Low platform beds, cat window perches, and single-pet homes with limited space.
Verdict: Buy if your furniture sits low and hardwood floor space is the priority.
How we ranked
Both stair sets are judged on the same three factors heading into 2026: how much vertical gap they cover, how much floor space they take on hardwood, and whether the storage add-on earns its footprint. Neither model publishes a slip-resistance rating, so a rug or grip mat is a companion purchase on polished floors, not an afterthought.
“If your dog stops halfway up the stairs, the step height is wrong for that jump — not the floor.”
Which pet stairs should you choose?
Pick the Furmates 2Step Pet Stairs with Storage for any bed frame or couch tall enough that your pet pauses before jumping — the extra step and storage basket earn the larger footprint. Choose the Furmates 1Step Pet Stairs with Storage when the gap is small and hardwood floor space is tight, like a studio bedroom or a cat's window perch. Either way, add a low-pile rug or grip mat under the base, especially for senior pets navigating slick floors in 2026.
FAQ
What's the best pet stairs for hardwood floors in 2026?
The Furmates 2Step Pet Stairs with Storage is the best pet stairs for hardwood floors in 2026 for tall beds and sofas, while the Furmates 1Step suits low furniture with a single small hop.
Are pet stairs safe on slippery hardwood without a mat?
A stair set with a wide, stable base can work on bare hardwood, but adding a low-pile rug or grip mat underneath reduces sliding for pets who climb fast or hesitate mid-step.
Is the Furmates 2Step or 1Step better for a tall bed?
The Furmates 2Step Pet Stairs with Storage is built for taller beds and sofas since the second step covers more vertical gap than the single-step design.
How many steps does a small dog need on hardwood?
Small dogs generally do better with one gentle step for low furniture and two steps for anything taller than a standard sofa, since a single long jump strains their joints more on a hard surface.
Can cats use pet stairs on hardwood floors?
Cats can use either the Furmates 1Step or 2Step design; the single-step model fits window perches and low platforms, while the two-step model suits taller cat furniture or shared multi-pet spaces.
Do pet stairs with storage take up more room than plain stairs?
The storage basket sits underneath the steps rather than extending the footprint outward, so it does not add meaningfully more floor space than a stair set without storage.
How do I stop pet stairs from sliding on hardwood?
Place a grip mat or low-pile rug under the base of the stairs; check the guide on how to keep pet stairs non-slip in wet weather for setup details specific to slick or damp floors.
What size dog needs a two-step stair versus a one-step stair?
Larger or less agile dogs climbing onto tall beds or sofas do better with the two-step design, while smaller dogs and cats managing a low bed or sofa are fine with one step.
One last thing
The storage basket underneath both Furmates stair models is often the detail pet owners don't plan for — it turns a floor obstacle into function, which matters most in small hardwood-floored bedrooms where every square foot beside the bed counts.