Fitting a Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may be a bit daunting however it's actually quite easy to do with the proper instructions. First, decide how high you want the flap to be (on average the belly height). Mark this point on the door and use the template included as a guide to drill.
If you have a kitten that is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to pass through. Reward it as it passes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent option to allow your pet to come and go inside and out of your home as it wants. This can help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it gets exercise and also being able to get back in if it is trapped outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. It can also cut down on the amount of time you'll have to allow it out or in. It can also keep your home safe by letting you be aware of when it went out.
However, it is important that the flap for your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly and the width of the doorway at your home to ensure the flap is at the right height. If your cat is a little taller or shorter than normal, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door where you will be installing the flap. Utilizing the marking as a reference, use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap within the door. After you've cut the area, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
The process of fitting a cat flap is not as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours for the entire process from beginning to completion. The process is slightly more challenging if you need to put it in a uPVC door or composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors come in different thicknesses, which can impact the way holes are cut. This is the reason we recommend calling a professional to complete the job, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from listening to your pet's meow for you to let it in or out. This is especially helpful if your cat is trapped inside in all weathers while you work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on your door, it is essential that you take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. It might appear to be a simple task, but it is important to get the measurements right. Otherwise, your pet may have difficulty putting it in use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a position where they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. You can take a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've got your cat's measurement and measurements, you need to examine the door to determine the best place to place the flap. A good tip is to place the flap at the height of your cat's belly because it will allow them to pass through it without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making too much noise as it moves back and back.
You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall structure. This makes the process of putting in an enclosure for your cat more difficult as you have to make sure that the hole is the right size.
It is also worth looking through the instructions included with the cat flap kit to find an illustration template that can be used to mark out the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole must be located and ensure that the template is positioned precisely on the door. It is also beneficial to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is placed flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you have to cut the door panel in order to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This is a difficult job and it is recommended that you get help from a professional cat flap fitting service for this job in case you don't have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. You can also consult the instructions that come with the kit to discover how to do it right.
cat flap install can take the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. In general you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the typical height of the stomach for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap easily and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. If your kit comes with the template, place it over the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. You should then be able to cut the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself on the door made of wood or uPVC If you're comfortable using the Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or a circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Make sure to take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the cat flap into its new home and make sure that it's securely fixed. If it has caps for screws, then put these caps onto the protruding screws. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop draughts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to walk through by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also push the cat with the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap it will be in a position to move whenever it wants. This lets you let it in and out as it wishes.
You can fit an animal flap inside the UPVC or glass doors however it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a wood exterior door due to the fact that UPVC and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This can have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the hole for the flap and can also affect whether your flap is fitted correctly after it has been put in place.
Based on the type of cat flap you choose, it may be equipped with a mounting kit and a template that shows precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can photocopy it to make your own. When cutting, it is important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too hard so that you don't create a larger hole than necessary in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular designs, which are more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the proper position on your door, because in the event that it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and could be left outside all day (or even night).
Some models of cat flap have locks that permit you to regulate when your cat comes and goes. These are useful for pets who are afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back in the dark. They can also be helpful when you are working all day. Some locks can be used for either entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for older cats or sick cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.