Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to set up the flap for your cat, but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Find out how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's at the belly height). Note this on the door and then use the template provided as a guideline to drill.
If upvc door panels with cat flap have a kitten who is still a baby then gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to go through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at the time that is convenient for you. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by making sure that it gets exercise and also being able to get back in if it is left outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat go in and out, and keep your home safer by letting you know when it's gone.
However, it is important that the cat flap is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the position of your flap if your cat is smaller or taller than the average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will install the flap. With the markings as a guideline, you can use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap in the door. After you have cut the area out and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process is slightly more challenging if you need to install it on the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors are available in different thicknesses, which can affect the way the holes are cut. We always suggest to consult with an expert if this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of listening to the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful if you are at work all day and your cat is stuck in the waiting room until you come home in all weathers.
If you're planning to put a cat flap on your door, it is essential to take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. While it may seem a simple operation it is important to measure the right way or your cat will find it difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. Keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the tip of their tail will enable you to get an exact measurement.
Once you have your cat's measurement, it's time to look at the door to determine where to place the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door with minimal effort. This will also avoid the flap making a lot of noise as it swings open and closed.
It is also important to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This could make the process of fitting a flap for your cat more difficult, as you have to make sure that the hole is the right size.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the opening on the door. This will allow you to see where the opening needs to be and also make sure the template is correctly positioned on the door. Using a spirit-level to make sure that the template is sitting in a straight line against the door can be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you must cut the door panel in order to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This can be a challenging job and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter to complete this task should you not have the expertise or knowledge to complete the task yourself. It is also recommended that you read the instructions included with the kit to discover how to do it correctly.
You can consider 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 height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap easily and will make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you've determined the location where the cat flap needs to be placed, mark this location on the door using pencil. If your kit comes with an outline you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you should be able to cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself in an uPVC or wood door If you're comfortable using a Jigsaw. Be similar internet site not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square depending on 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 made then carefully insert the cat flap into its new location and make sure that it's securely fixed. If it has caps on the screws, then place these onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to go through it by placing a small amount cat food on the outside of the door. You can also push the cat using sticks or your hand. Once your pet has become comfortable moving through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap whenever it wants. This allows you to let it in and out at any time it wishes.
You can install the flap onto the UPVC or glass doors but it's not as simple as fitting one into a timber external door because the UPVC doors and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on how you cut the hole for the flap and will also affect whether the flap will fit properly once it's been put in place.
Based on the type of cat flap you choose It could be equipped with a mounting kit and a template that shows you exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit does not include a template you can make one yourself. When cutting, it's important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too hard so that you don't make a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is in the right place on your door. If not, your cat may not be able use it, and could be outside all day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to regulate when your cat enters and leaves. They can be extremely useful in the event that you are concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in due to the darkness, or if you're working all day. The lock can be turned on for entry or exit and some can be locked in both directions, permitting you to close the door completely, which is especially helpful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go out in the rain.