Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to install a cat flap but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Find out how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's located at belly height). Then, mark this area on your door, and use the template included as a guide when drilling.
If you have a small kitten hold the door slightly open and gradually allow it to pass through. Reward the kitten every time it moves through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a great option to allow your pet to leave and come inside and out of your home whenever it pleases. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise and also being able to get back in if trapped outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat go in and out and also make your home safer by notifying you when it has left.
It is crucial that the flap on your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the entrance to your home so that you can ensure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the position of your flap if your cat is taller or less than average.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the center of the door that you will be installing the flap. Using the marking as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap in the door. Once you have cut out the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes that are required.
The installation of a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. The process can be slightly more difficult if you have to put it in the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because these doors are available in different thicknesses, which can affect the way the holes are cut. We always recommend to contact an expert when this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of listening to your pet's meow for you to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful for those who work most of the day and your cat has to stay in the house waiting for you to get home in any weather.
If you are planning to install a cat flap inside your door, it is crucial to measure your cat before attempting the task. It might seem like a simple task, but it's important to make sure you measure the right measurements. If not, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and also ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any place. Holding the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the tip of their tail can allow you to make an accurate measurement.
Once you've got your cat's measurement and measurements, you need to examine the door to decide where to put the flap. It is advisable to position the flap in the middle of your cat's belly because it will allow them to get through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise as it swings back and forward.
You will need to think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall structure and can make fitting a cat flap more difficult since you have to ensure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole on the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole needs to be placed and ensure that the template is placed properly on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting in a straight line against the door will be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make an opening in the door panel for your cat flap before you can install it. It can be a difficult task, so it's recommended that you get a professional assist you if you don't have the knowledge or skills. You can also consult 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 set the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters away from the ground since this is roughly the average 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 get inside 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. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. Then, you should be able to cut out the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself in the door made of wood or uPVC If you're comfortable with the jigsaw. Be sure not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle depending on the way you want it. Remember to take your time and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully fit the flap onto its new location and make sure that it is securely secured. If it features screw caps, then push them onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut and then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap you can leave it open and encourage your pet to go through by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap it will be capable of walking through the flap as it pleases. This allows you to let it in and out at any time it wants.
It is possible to install the flap inside the UPVC doors or glass door, but it might not be as simple as putting one on a wooden external door. This is because the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This can have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the hole for the flap, and will also affect whether the flap will fit properly once it's installed.
The mounting kit could contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to make one yourself. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw to the point that you create a larger hole than necessary in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are some that are circular, and they are generally more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, ensure that the hole is in the right place on your door. If not, your cat might not be able to use it, and could be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Some models of cat flap have locks that permit you to manage when your cat comes and goes. These can be very useful if you're worried about your cat going out at night and coming back in the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. similar website can be used to lock entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for older cats or sick cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.