Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to install a cat flap but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Determine how high you would like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Then, mark this area on the door, and use the template included as a guideline to drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to pass through. Reward it when it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at any time. This will help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to come back in if it is trapped outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. This will cut down on the time you spend letting your cat go in and out, and keep your home secure by notifying you when it's left.
It is important to make sure that the cat flap is placed properly to stop your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly as well as the entrance to your home in order to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the height of your flap when your cat is taller or smaller than average.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the centre of the door that you will put the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guide, take a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap inside the door. After you have cut the flap and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
The process of installing a cat flap is not as difficult as you may think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire job from start to finish. The process can be slightly more complicated if you are required to install it in a uPVC door or composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors are available in different thicknesses, which can affect the way that holes are cut. This is the reason we recommend calling a professional to carry out the job, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hours of listening to your pet's meow to let it in or out. This is particularly helpful if your cat is trapped inside during the winter months when you are at work.
It is important to measure your cat first before you begin the installation. Although it might seem like to be a simple task, it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your cat may be unable to use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is relaxed and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. You can take a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you have the measurement of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide on where to place the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making too much noise as it swings back and forth.
You should take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While all timber doors have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This could make the process of the installation of a flap for your cat more difficult since you have to make sure that the hole is the right size.
It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions included with the kit to find an outline of the template that can be used to determine the position of the hole in the door. This will help you to see the location where the opening should be and make sure the template is placed correctly on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to check that the template is sitting right against the door will prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you need to cut the door panel to create a space large enough to accommodate it. This can be a daunting task and it is recommended that you get a professional help you if you lack the skills or experience. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the kit to find out how to do this properly.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. A good rule of thumb is to place the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters off the ground, as this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap with ease and make it more difficult for other cats and nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. If your kit has a template you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. You will then be able cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
cat flap fitting can install the cat flap yourself inside the door made of wood or uPVC when you're confident with a jigsaw. Be sure not to cut into the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle depending on the way you'd like to cut it. Remember to take your time and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is made and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap onto its new home and ensure that it's securely fixed. If the flap has screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap you can leave it open and encourage your pet to go through by putting a little bit of cat food in the front of the door. You can also push the cat using a stick or your hand. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it should be able to go in and out as it wants and you should be able to let it in or out without holding the door open to allow it in all day (and likely in any weather).
It is possible to fit an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a timber external door because the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can have a significant impact on how you cut the hole for the flap and will also affect whether the flap is fitted correctly after it has installed.
The mounting kit could include a template that shows you the best places to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template you can make one on your own. It's important to not use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so that it doesn't leave a bigger than needed hole in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, ensure that the hole is in the right place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able to use it, and may be locked outside for the entire day (or night).
Some cat flaps have locks that allow you to control when your cat comes in and goes. They can be extremely useful if you're concerned about your cat going out at night and coming back in due to the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. Certain locks can be used to lock access or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is useful for sick or elderly cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.