Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to put up the flap for your cat but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Find out how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's located at belly height). Note this on the door and then use the template provided as a reference to drill.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten hold the door slightly open and gradually encourage it to pass through. Reward the kitten as it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a wonderful method to let your pet come and go inside and out of your home whenever it pleases. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise as well as being able to come back inside if left outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. This can reduce the time you spend letting your cat out or in and also make your home safe by notifying you when it's gone.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is set up properly to stop your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure the height of your pet's belly and the entrance to your home in order to make sure that the flap is at the correct height. You can alter the height of your flap in case your cat is taller or smaller than the average.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. With the markings as a guide, take the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap within the door. After you've cut the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
The installation of a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process can be slightly more complicated when you have to install it onto the door of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come with an array of thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. We recommend that you call a professional if this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of ignoring the cat's meows to be let in or out. upvc door panels with cat flap is especially helpful for cats that are in the house during all seasons while you work.
It is important to first measure your cat before you begin the installation. It might seem like a simple task, but it is crucial to make sure you measure the right measurements. If not, your cat may find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a place where they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the tip of their tail will allow you to make an exact measurement.
Once you've determined your cat's measurements, it's time to examine the door to determine the best place to place the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door without much effort. This will also prevent the flap making lots of noise when it swings open and closed.
It is also important to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This makes fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is the right size.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the location of the opening on the door. This will help you to see where the opening needs to be and make sure the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also a good idea to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template sits perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you must cut the door panel to make it large enough for it. It's a challenging job so it's recommended you engage a professional to assist you if you do not have the knowledge or skills. You can also consult the instructions provided with the kit to discover how to do it properly.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. As a general rule you should place the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the typical height of the cat's belly. This way, your cat will be able to go through the flap comfortably and also give any other cats or curious neighbours a tough time trying to leave or enter.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit includes a template you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you'll be able cut out the template and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if are confident enough to use using a jigsaw. Be sure not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square depending on the way you'd like it. Be patient and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure it is solidly secured. If it features caps on the screws, then place them onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut then seal any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to walk through by placing a small amount of cat food in front of the door. You can also push the cat using sticks or your hand. Once your cat has become used to moving through the flap, it will be able to come and go whenever it wants. This allows you to let it in and out as it wants.
It is possible to put an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, but it might not be as simple as putting one inside a wooden exterior door. This is due to the fact that the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut the flap's hole and how well the flap fits after installation.
The mounting kit could include a template showing you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with the template you can copy it to make your own. When cutting, it is important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too to the point that you create a bigger hole than necessary in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are some that are circular, and are generally more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, ensure that the hole is in the right place on your door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able to use it, and may be outside all day (or night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you determine when your cat can enter and leave. They can be extremely useful if you're concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in due to the darkness, or you're working 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 aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.