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, determine the height you want the cat flap to be (on average, belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and use the template provided to help you drill.
If you have a small kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually push it to pass through. Reward it when it goes through.
Measure 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 in good health by ensuring that it gets exercise as well as being able to go back in if stuck outside in bad weather, particularly during the winter. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat in or out and make your home safe by letting you know when it's left.
It is crucial to make sure that the cat flap is installed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being pushed through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the height of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is larger or shorter than the average, you can alter the position of the flap by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
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 an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap within the door. After you've cut the area, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes required.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take longer than two hours. However, the process could be slightly more complicated when you have to install it inside a uPVC or composite door since these doors come in an array of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed to. We recommend that you call an expert if this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hours of listening to your pet meow to let it out or in. This is especially helpful for cats that are inside in all weathers while you work.
If you want to fit a cat flap inside your door it is important that you measure your cat before attempting the task. While it may seem an easy task, it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your cat may find it very difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position 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 their head to the bottom of their tail can allow you to determine an precise measurement.
Once you have your cat's measurement, it's time to look at the door to determine the best place to place the flap. It is advisable to position the flap at the height of your cat's stomach as it will allow them to move through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making lots of noise when it swings open and closed.
You should think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While cat flap fitting are all of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall construction and this can make the installation of a cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
It is also worth reading through the directions that come with the kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark out the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the opening needs to be and make sure the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also helpful to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll must cut the door's panel to create a space large enough to accommodate it. This is a difficult job and it is recommended to seek the help of a professional cat flap fitter to complete this task in case you don't have the expertise or knowledge to tackle it yourself. You can also read the instructions provided with the kit to learn how to do it properly.
You can consider the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. In general, place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the belly for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap without difficulty and make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbors to get in or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit comes with an outline put it on top of the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you should be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.
You can install the cat flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door when you're confident with 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 the panel into a square or a circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new home. Make sure it is solidly secured. If the flap has screws then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed smooth the edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block the entry of draughts into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the front of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through with your hands or with a stick. Once your cat has become comfortable moving through the flap, it will be in a position to move as it pleases. This allows you to let it in and out whenever it wants.
It is possible to fit a cat flap in an UPVC door or glass door, however it may not be as simple as putting one on a wooden external 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 can have a major impact on how you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
The mounting kit could contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template you can make one by yourself. When cutting, it's crucial to not push the jigsaw far enough to create a larger hole than you need in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, however there are also some which are circular, and they are usually more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure the hole is in the right place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able use it, and may be locked outside for the entire day (or night).
Some cat flaps have locks that let you regulate when your cat enters and leaves. This is useful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark or coming back in the dark. They are also useful for those who work all day. The lock can be turned on to allow or deny entry, and some are locked in both directions, which allows you to close the door completely, which is especially beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't keen on going out in bad weather.