Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to set up the flap for your cat, but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, determine the height you want the flap to be (on average the belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and then use the template provided to help you drill.
If you have a small kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually allow it to pass through. Reward it when it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to move into and out of your home at any time. This can help keep your cat healthy as it will ensure it gets enough exercise and will also allow it to go back inside when it gets trapped in the elements during bad weather. It also can reduce the amount of time you have to let it in or out and can also protect your home by letting you know when it's been out.
However, it is important that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly and the height of the doorway at your home to ensure the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is a little longer or taller than the average, you can alter the flap's height by moving it up or down a small amount.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Then, using the marks as a guideline, cut out the contour of your flap with the help of a Jigsaw. After you've cut the area out and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
The process of installing a cat flap is not as complicated as you believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire task from start to completion. The process is slightly more complicated if you are required to put it in the form of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because composite doors come in various thicknesses, which could affect the way that holes are cut. We recommend to consult with a professional for your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet meow to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful if your cat is trapped inside during the winter months while you work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap inside your door, it is crucial that you measure your cat before attempting the task. It might appear to be a simple task, but it is essential to get the measurements right. If not, your cat might find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to hold them in a position where they cannot move and also ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not bending in any way. Holding the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the tip of their tail will enable you to get an accurate measurement.
Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat's body, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where to put the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to walk through the door without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making too much noise when it swings back and forward.
You should also think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall structure and this can make the installation of a cat flap more complicated because you must make sure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile reading through the directions included with the cat flap kit to find an illustration template that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you to determine where the opening must be and also make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting in a straight line against the door will also be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you have to cut the door panel in order to create a space large enough to accommodate it. This can be a tricky job, and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting service for this job should you not have the knowledge or skills to tackle it yourself. You can also consult the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do it properly.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. A good guideline is to put the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters from the ground as this is the typical belly height for cats. This way your cat will be able to move through the flap comfortably and also give any other cats or curious neighbours a tough time trying to enter or leave.
Once you've decided the best location for the cat flap to be placed, mark this position on the door with the help of a pencil. If your kit comes with the template, place it over the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. Then, you should be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself inside the door made of wood or uPVC if you are confident with the use of a jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or a circle according to the design of your cat flap. Remember to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure that it is solidly secured. If it has caps for screws, then put them onto the protruding screws. After the screws are installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount cat food on the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with sticks or your hand. Once back door with cat flap fitted is used to walking through the flap it will be able to move into and out as it pleases, so you can let it in or out without to open the door to allow it in all day (and potentially in any weather).
It is possible to put an animal flap into the UPVC doors or glass door, however it might not be as easy as installing one in a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This can have a major impact on how you cut out the flap's hole and how well the flap fits after installation.
The mounting kit could include a template that shows you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template you can copy it to create your own. When cutting, it's important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too to the point that you make a larger hole than you need in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are some that are circular and these are usually more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, make sure that the hole is located in the correct spot on your door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to access it, and could be outside all day (or night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that let you control the time your cat can enter and leave. These can be very useful in the event that you are concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in the darkness, or you're at work all day. Some locks can be used for entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to venture out in cold weather.