Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can seem intimidating, but it is fairly easy to do by following the correct instructions. Decide how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's at the belly height). Mark this point on your door and use the included template to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and encourage it to go through. Reward it when it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to move into and out of your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat in good health as it will ensure it gets enough exercise and will also allow it to return inside if it gets trapped in the elements during bad weather. It also can reduce the amount of time you have to spend letting it in or out and can protect your home by allowing you to be aware of when it went out.
However, it is essential that the cat flap is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home in order to make sure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the normal, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door where you will install the flap. Then, using the marks as an indication, cut out the shape of your flap with the aid of a jigsaw. After cutting the area, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as difficult as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire process from beginning to finish. The process can be slightly more difficult if you have to put it in the form of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors come in various thicknesses, which can impact the way the holes are cut. We always recommend that you call an expert for your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from listening to your pet meow for you to let it in or out. This is particularly helpful when your cat is in the house during all seasons while you are at work.
If you're planning to put a cat flap inside your door it is important that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. Although upvc door panel with cat flap might appear to be an easy task, it is crucial to measure the right way or your pet will find it very difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm and not feeling anxious prior to taking the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. You can get an accurate 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 determined your cat's measurement then you can examine the door to decide where to place the flap. Position 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 avoid the flap making lots of noise when it opens and closes.
You should consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall design. This could make the process of fitting a flap for your cat more difficult since you have to make sure that the hole is the right size.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the opening on the door. This will help you determine where the opening must be and also make sure the template is properly placed on the door. It is also beneficial to employ 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 make it large enough for it. This can be a tricky job, and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitter for this step in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to tackle it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do it properly.
To do this you need to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use that as an indication point. A good rule of thumb is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is roughly the average height of the cat's belly. 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.
Once you've decided where the cat flap should be located, mark the location on the door using a pencil. If your kit comes with an outline you can place it on the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. Then, you'll be able cut out the template and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap inside an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if you are confident enough to use a Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut through any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or a circle according to the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is cut then carefully insert the cat flap into its new location and make sure that it's securely fixed. If it has caps for screws, then put these caps onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut and then seal any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to go through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap it will be able to move into and out as it wants so you can let it in or out without having to be there to open the door for it throughout the day (and possibly in all weather conditions).
It is possible to put the flap inside an UPVC door or glass door, however it may not be as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is because the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This can have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the hole for the flap, and could affect the way your flap is fitted correctly after it has installed.
Depending on the model of cat flap you select It may include a mounting kit as well as a template that will tell precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to create one yourself. When cutting, it's important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too hard so that you don't make a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the right position on your door, because in the event that it's not, the cat will not be able to use the flap and may be stuck out in the sun all day (or even at night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that let you control the time your cat enters and leaves. These can be very useful in the event that you are worried about your pet going out at night only to come back in due to the darkness, or you're working all day. The lock can be used for entry or exit and some can be locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely. This is especially beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't keen on going out in the rain.