Fitting a Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may seem intimidating but it's easy to do by following the correct instructions. Decide how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's located at belly height). Mark this point on your door and use the template included to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually push it to go through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to go in and out of your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise as well as being able to get back in if it is trapped outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you have to spend letting it in or out and can also protect your home by allowing you to know when it has gone out.
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). You should determine the height of your pet's stomach and the width of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the height of your flap when your cat is taller or less than average.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the shape of your flap on the door with the aid of a Jigsaw. Once you have cut out the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill back door with cat flap fitted fixing holes required.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. However, the process can be a bit more difficult in the event that you have to put it into the door of a uPVC or composite door because these doors come in various thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed into. This is why we recommend hiring a professional to carry out the task, especially if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of listening to the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful for those who work all day and your cat is in the house waiting for you to get home regardless of the weather.
It is essential to first measure your cat before you attempt the installation. It might seem like a straightforward task, but it is essential to make sure you measure the right measurements. If not, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. Holding the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail will enable you to make an exact measurement.
Once you have the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide where to place the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise when it swings back and forth.
It is also important to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall construction and this can make the installation of a cat flap more complicated as you will need to ensure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to find a template drawing that can be used to mark the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you determine where the opening needs to be and also make sure the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is flush against the door will be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap before you can attach it. It can be a difficult job, so it's recommended that you get a professional assist you if you don't have the knowledge or skills. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the kit to find out how to do this correctly.
You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. As a general rule, place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the belly for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap with ease and will make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. If your kit includes the template, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you should be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.
You can install your cat flap yourself on the door made of wood or uPVC if you are confident using the Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or a circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is made and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap of cat food into its new home and make sure that it is securely fixed. If it has screw caps, then push these onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hands or a stick. Once your pet has become used to moving through the flap, it will be in a position to move as it pleases. This will allow 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, however it might not be as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is because UPVC doors and some types of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This can have a major impact on the way you cut the flap's hole, and whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
Depending on the type of cat flap you select, it may come with its own mounting kit and a template that will tell you exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with a template you can copy it to make your own. When cutting, it's important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too far enough to create a bigger hole than you need in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are some that are circular, and are typically more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, make sure the hole is in the right place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to access it, and could be outside all day (or at night).
Some cat flaps have locks that permit you to control when your cat comes in and goes. These are useful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark or coming back inside at night. They can also be useful when you are working all day. back door with cat flap fitted can be used to allow entry or exit, and some locks can be locked in both directions, permitting you to close the door completely, which is especially helpful for older or ill cats who don't want to go out in the rain.