Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to set up the flap for your cat but with the right instructions, it's not too difficult. First, decide how high you want the cat flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on the door and use the template included as a guideline to drill.
If you have a kitten that is still a newborn then gently prop the door slightly open and allow it to pass through. Reward the kitten as it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This will help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is exercising and also being able to come back in if it is stuck outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. It can also cut down on the amount of time you need to allow it out or in. It can keep your home safe by letting you know when it has gone out.
It is important to make sure that the cat flap is set up correctly in order to prevent your pet from being pushed through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly and the width of the doorway in your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. You can alter the height of your flap if your cat is smaller or taller than the average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the centre of the door where you will be installing the flap. Using the marking as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap in the door. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes needed.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process is a bit more challenging if you need to put it in the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because composite doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which could affect the way the holes are cut. This is why we recommend calling a professional to carry out the job, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hearing your pet's cries for you to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful when you're at work all day and your cat has to stay in the house waiting for you to get home in any weather.
It is essential to measure your cat's measurements first before you attempt the installation. It may appear to be a simple task, but it is important to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat may find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed before you take the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. By keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the tip of their tail can allow you to make an accurate measurement.
Once you have the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide on where to place the flap. Place 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 stop the flap from making a lot of noise as it moves back and back.
You will also need to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall design. This makes the process of putting in a flap for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is of the correct size.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the opening needs to be and make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. It is also beneficial to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template sits flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you must cut the door panel to create a space large enough for it. This can be a challenging job, and it is recommended that you get help from a professional cat flap fitting service for this step should you not have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. It is also recommended that you read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to discover how to do this correctly.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. A good guideline is to place the flap around 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is roughly the average height of the cat's belly. Your cat will be able to move through the flap without difficulty and it will also give other cats or snooping neighbours an issue when trying to leave or enter.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. Next, if your kit has an outline of paper, place it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes in each corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut out the template and replace it with the cat flap.
You can install the cat flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door when you're confident using the use of a Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle, depending on how you'd like it. Be patient and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new home. Make sure it is securely secured. If it features caps for screws, then put them onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by putting a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap it will be able to move in and out as it wishes, so you can let it in or out without to open the door for it throughout the day (and possibly in any weather).
through wall cat flap is possible to put the flap inside the UPVC doors or glass door, but it's not as simple as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because UPVC doors and some types of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This could have an enormous impact on how you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
Based on the type of cat flap you select, it may be equipped with a mounting kit and template that will tell you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include a template you can use a photocopier to make your own. It's important not to push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't make a larger than necessary hole in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap it's important to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door, because if it's not, the cat can't use it and could be stranded outside all day (or even night).
Some cat flaps have locks that permit you to control when your cat comes and goes. These are useful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They are also useful for those who work all day. The lock can be engaged for entry or exit and some can be locked in either direction permitting you to close the door completely, which is especially helpful for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen on going out in bad weather.