Needed this for our elderly cats to get up on our really high bed. It took a few hours for them to feel confident about using it, but after that, it was a game-changer for them. One thing I has to do was turn it sideways against the bed, so the footboard acted as a "railing", giving them a better sense of security. This also had the effect of taking up less room in our bedroom, so it was a win-win. The steps are not completely sturdy, (you can make the structure wobble) but fine for cats or small dogs.