Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to install a cat flap but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Decide how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's located at belly height). Note this on your door and then use the template provided to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten that is still a baby and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and invite it to go through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to go in and out of your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it gets exercise as well as being able to come back in if it is left outside in bad weather, particularly during the winter. This can reduce the time you spend letting your cat out or in and also make your home secure by notifying you when it's left.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly to stop 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 stomach and the width of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the proper height. You can alter the height of your flap when your cat is taller or less than the average.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap in the door. After cutting the area then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
The process of installing a cat flap is not as complicated as you believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire process from beginning to completion. The process can be slightly more complicated if you are required to install it on the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because composite doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which could affect the way the holes are cut. We always recommend to contact a professional if this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful when you're at work most of the day and your cat is stuck in the house waiting for you to get home regardless of the weather.
If you want to fit a cat flap inside your door, it is essential that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. It might seem like a straightforward task, but it is essential to make sure you measure the right measurements. Otherwise, your pet may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against the body. You can get an accurate 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 where to put the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to walk through the door with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap making a lot of noise as it swings open and shut.
You will need to think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While timber doors are all of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall structure, which can make fitting the cat flap more difficult because you must make sure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole must be located and make sure that the template is positioned precisely on the door. It is also helpful to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template sits perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut an opening in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can attach it. It's a challenging job and it is recommended that you engage a professional to help you if you lack the expertise or experience. It is also recommended to review the directions that come with the cat flap kit to learn how to do this correctly.
To do this, you have to determine the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as a reference point. A good rule of thumb is to place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is the typical height of the cat's belly. This way your cat can move through the flap with ease and will also make the other cats or neighbours who are snooping a tough time trying to leave or enter.
Once upvc door panel cat flap decided where the cat flap should be located, mark the position on the door with the help of a pencil. Then, if your kit comes with a template for paper, place it over the door and use the markings to drill holes into each corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap inside an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if you feel confident enough to handle a Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut through any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or a circle according to the design of your cat flap. Take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure that it is firmly secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will block drafts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also push the cat with sticks 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 so you can let it in or out without to open the door to allow it in all day (and potentially in any weather).
It is possible to fit a cat flap into the UPVC or glass doors but it's not as simple as fitting one into a wood external door because the UPVC doors and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This can have a significant impact on how you cut the hole for the flap and can also affect whether your flap will fit properly once it's been put in place.
Depending on the type of cat flap you pick It may come with its own mounting kit as well as a template that will show you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template you can make one by yourself. It's important not to push the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't leave a bigger than necessary hole in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, it's important 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 could be left outside all day (or even night).
Some cat flaps have locks that permit you to regulate the time your cat comes and goes. This is useful for pets who are afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back inside at night. They can also be helpful if you work all day. The lock can be engaged to allow or deny entry, and some can be locked in either direction permitting you to close the door completely, which is especially beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who don't want to go out in rainy weather.