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8 Best Cat Stairs & Steps in 2026 - Reviews & Top Picks

By Christian Adams
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Cat Savannah F1 sitting on the stairs

Whether you have a kitten, an older cat, or a kitty that is post-surgery, cat stairs can be a great addition to your home and provide your feline friend with added mobility. The right set of stairs will give your cat the confidence and ability to reach your couch, windowsills, or bed.

There are a lot of different features you should consider when shopping for cat steps to ensure convenience and your cat’s safety. The decision can quickly become overwhelming given the number of options available.

To help you narrow down your selection, we put together this comprehensive list of reviews for our favorite cat stairs out there. With these tips, you’re sure to find steps that will put you and your cat at ease!

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2026

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Solvit PupSTEP Plus Solvit PupSTEP Plus
  • Made of heavy-duty material
  • Includes non-slip feet and steps
  • Includes built-in safety rails
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Pet Gear Easy Step II Pet Gear Easy Step II
  • Very sturdy
  • Very affordable
  • Non-slip feet and steps provide safety
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Best Pet Supplies Best Pet Supplies
  • Non-slip material
  • Reaches surfaces up to 2.5 feet
  • Rubber bottom to prevent sliding
  • Frisco Foldable Nonslip Frisco Foldable Nonslip
  • Foldable
  • Includes guardrails
  • Locking legs add stability
  • Petmaker Foam Pet Steps Petmaker Foam Pet Steps
  • Non-slip steps for safety
  • Lightweight construction
  • The 8 Best Cat Stairs & Steps

    1. Solvit PupSTEP Plus Cat Stairs – Best Overall

    If you’re looking for safe, durable, and affordable cat stairs, this is the model for you! These stairs are made out of heavy-duty plastic, and although they’re rated to hold up to 120 pounds, they feel like they could hold even more. These steps have small rails on the side for your cat’s safety, and they include rubber feet on the bottom to prevent the steps from sliding away from your couch or bed. For added safety, the steps have a non-slip material on them, so your feline friend can easily climb up and down. The rear legs fold in for easy storage, and you won’t spend much time cleaning these stairs due to the hard plastic material.

    The actual steps are somewhat large, so they may not be best for kittens. Additionally, the rear folding supports don’t have locking mechanisms on them, so you may run into an issue with them collapsing if you or a larger pet run into them. However, these are plenty sturdy for your cat to use safely and we think they are the best overall cat stairs and steps!

    Pros

    • Made of heavy-duty material
    • Includes built-in safety rails
    • Includes non-slip feet and steps
    • Stores easily
    • Easy to clean

    Cons

    • May be too large for kittens
    • Legs don’t lock into place

    2. Pet Gear Easy Step II Pet Stair – Best Value

    If you’re interested in getting a set of stairs for your cat, but you don’t want to break the bank, the Pet Gear Easy Step II Pet Stair may be the option for you. This two-step set of stairs is great for helping your cat reach low areas like couches or low windowsills. It’s made of what feels like very durable plastic, and it includes rubber feet to help prevent sliding. The steps are carpeted to prevent your cat from slipping on them. There are no guardrails, but the steps should be plenty wide enough for your cat to feel safe during use.

    These stairs require some minor assembly, and they don’t fold up at all, so storage could be a problem if you lack the space. They are easy to clean and will just require some light wiping from time to time. They don’t reach as high as our top pick, and their inability to fold up keeps them out of our number one spot. However, given their price and durability, we believe these are the best cat stairs and steps for the money.

    Pros

    • Made of durable material
    • Very sturdy once assembled
    • Easy to clean
    • Non-slip feet and steps provide safety
    • Very affordable

    Cons

    • No guardrails
    • Require some assembly
    • No option to fold for storage

    3. Best Pet Supplies Foam Pet Stairs – Premium Choice

    If money is no object when it comes to stairs for your cat, the Best Pet Supplies Foam Pet Stairs is by far the most luxurious choice. These cat steps more resemble stairs than any other on our list. The five-step option is rated for up to 190 pounds, so you can be sure these will hold up well to constant use. The entire exterior is made from lambswool, which provides a non-slip surface for your cat as well as a piece that will look nice in just about any room. The cover is removable for washing, so you’ll have a little more than a simple wipe-down to do when it comes to cleaning.

    These steps will help your cat reach surfaces around 2.5 feet tall, and the bottom is made of a non-slip rubber material. There aren’t any guardrails, but they are wide enough to make your cat feel secure when using them. These steps also don’t fold up for storage. The cleaning process and the higher price tag kept these stairs out of our top two picks, but these are worth the money if you’re willing to do a little extra cleaning.

    Pros

    • Extremely durable and stable
    • Non-slip material for safety
    • Rubber bottom to prevent sliding
    • Reaches surfaces up to 2.5 feet

    Cons

    • Cleaning is somewhat time-consuming
    • No guardrails
    • No folding for storage

    4. Frisco Foldable Nonslip Pet Steps

    Frisco Foldable Nonslip Pet Steps

    This is another set of folding steps, which means storing these is simple when not in use. The legs click out into place and have a safety mechanism to prevent them from folding in accidentally. This set of stairs is made of hard plastic, so you won’t spend much time cleaning them. These steps are rather small and narrow, so they can tend to wobble a bit, but they certainly feel sturdy enough for a cat. They are made of a non-slip material, and there are small guardrails on the sides, which are necessary given how narrow the stairs are. These are shorter than many other options and are best for helping your cat reach surfaces up to about 2 feet tall.

    Pros

    • Foldable for storage
    • Locking legs add stability
    • Easy to clean
    • Non-slip steps for safety
    • Includes guardrails

    Cons

    • Narrow and steep
    • Can wobble slightly when in use
    • Only for surfaces under 2 feet tall

    5. Petmaker Foam Pet Steps

    These steps are made from a single piece of high-density foam that is concealed with a slipcover. Given the construction, these don’t fold for storage. To clean these, you’ll need to remove and wash the cover, so it will take you a bit longer than it would to clean plastic stairs. The cover will provide a non-slip surface for your cat’s safety. However, there are no guardrails, and these steps are very narrow, so your cat may feel unsecure using them. They are very lightweight, but you may struggle to move them around, as they don’t have handles or a convenient place to hold them. For the price, we expected to see higher-quality materials, and we’re not sure the foam will hold up well, especially if your cat uses it as a scratching post!

    Pros

    • Non-slip steps for safety
    • Lightweight construction

    Cons

    • No folding for storage
    • Cleaning is time-consuming
    • No guardrails
    • Relocating is somewhat difficult

    6. Trixie Wooden Pet Stairs

    These cat stairs are visually very appealing, as they’re made out of natural wood. We expected these to be sturdier given the material used, but they ended up being rather flimsy. However, they feel like they’ll hold up well under a cat. These stairs don’t fold, so once they’re assembled you may lack the space to store them. The treads are removable, which means you can easily store cat toys or other products inside. Unfortunately, removable treads also mean they wobble a bit when in use, and this may lead to your cat feeling unsteady. These steps include a non-slip covering for your cat’s safety, but there is no guardrail. These stairs also don’t include rubber feet, so they should only be used on carpet or other non-slip flooring, and they will only allow access to surfaces up to about 1.5 feet tall.

    Pros

    • Visually very appealing
    • Removable treads add storage
    • Storage space in steps

    Cons

    • Not very sturdy
    • Treads wobble when in use
    • No guardrail
    • No rubber feet to prevent sliding
    • Only good for surfaces 1.5 feet tall

    7. Zinus 4 Step Easy Pet Stair

    These steps are made from a high-density foam covered by a slipcover, and the top step is fully removable for an adjustable height. The two-piece foam construction means you won’t be able to store these as easily as stairs that fold down. The slipcover will involve time-consuming cleaning, as you’ll need to remove and then machine wash.

    The stairs will help your cat reach surfaces around 2 feet tall with the top step included, but the steps are rather steep and may lead to your cat opting to jump over them instead of using them. The lack of stability and tendency to wobble when in use will add to your cat’s distrust of these steps. The cover material is soft and comfortable and will provide a non-slip surface if your cat does choose to use them. Given the lack of stability and guardrails, we would recommend steering clear of these stairs, especially since your cat may choose to as well!

    Pros

    • Suitable for surfaces up to 2 feet tall
    • Comfortable, non-slip steps

    Cons

    • Not easy to store
    • Cleaning can be time-consuming
    • Steps are rather steep
    • Stairs aren’t stable
    • No guardrails

    8. Imperial Cat Step 'N Play Cat Steps

    These stairs are made out of cardboard, which makes assembly and disassembly a breeze, and they can be stored in extremely small spaces. The sides have cat-shaped holes which allows your cat to hang out inside them. Unfortunately, those are the only positive aspects we see in these steps.

    The construction material is very flimsy and may not hold up under your cat, depending on their weight. Even if these stairs do hold your cat, the durability is very low, and the amount of time these will last doesn’t justify the price tag. There are no rubber feet, so these are unsuitable for use on hardwood or tile floors. There are no guardrails, and the steps are slippery, making these steps unsafe to use. Given the cardboard material, you cannot clean these steps, and their inability to get wet makes the durability even worse. We would not recommend this product for any cat owner.

    Pros

    • Easy assembly and disassembly
    • Very compact for easy storage
    • Offers a “hide-out” for your cat

    Cons

    • Very low durability
    • Easily wobbles when in use
    • Easily slides on floors
    • No guardrails
    • Steps are slippery
    • Cannot be cleaned
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    Buyer's Guide - Choosing the Best Cat Stairs

    When shopping for the right set of cat stairs, there are a few key features you’ll want to look for.

    First, make sure the steps are safe for your cat to use. Steps that are sturdy and don’t wobble will make your cat comfortable and limit the chance that they’ll avoid using them. Stairs that include guardrails and aren’t too narrow will help instill confidence in your cat and encourage use as well. You’ll also want to make sure the treads are made of or covered with a non-slip material to prevent your cat from slipping. You need to be mindful of the type of flooring in your home, as stairs without rubber feet will be unsuitable for use on hardwood or tile floors and could slide around when in use.

    Once you ensure the stairs are safe for your cat to use, you must consider your own needs — we know your cat always comes first! You should look for stairs that are easy to clean, and usually those made of hard plastic will just require a quick wipe down. Cloth coverings may look nicer, but they often require removal, machine washing, and then re-installation. You should also consider whether or not you’ll want to store the stairs, as non-folding steps can be a pain to find room for when not in use, when you have company, or when you need the extra space.

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    How We Selected Our List of  Cat Stairs & Steps

    Catster has an experienced, expert team of writers, editors, and veterinarians who carefully consider a wide range of parameters when choosing the cat stairs and steps. This includes but is not limited to customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, hands-on testing, and of course, our cats have a say in the process too! We aim to select and review only the best products available, to help you make the best possible choice and most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.

    Why Trust Catster?

    A trusted online brand since 2001, Catster has a lot of experience with cat stairs and steps. Our team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to helping you make the best decision for your precious cats. Our aim is to provide the best information available for cat owners to help cats live their best life possible. To do this, we scour reviews from the most trusted sources available and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options available to readers. Our team is deeply invested in the health and welfare of cats the world over, and believes that expert knowledge and veterinary guidance will help you make the right choices—for you and your cats!

    divider cats oct 2024

    Conclusion

    There are many options for cat steps and stairs, and trying to cover all of the qualities you’ll want now and in the future can be difficult! Our top pick for safety, convenience, and durability are the Solvit PupSTEP Plus Cat Stairs. They’re sturdy, safe, and will last you and your cat a long time. If you’re looking to save some money but still want a high-quality set of cat steps, we highly recommend the Pet Gear Easy Step II Pet Stair, as they are great for the price and will still bring a lot of durability to the table. Choosing the proper stairs for your cat can be a bit of a headache, but these reviews should set you on the right path for choosing the perfect steps for you and your kitty.


    Feature Image Credit: Kolomenskaya Kseniya, Shutterstock

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