Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to put up the flap for your cat however, with the proper instructions, it's not too difficult. Firstly, determine how high you would like the flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on your door and then use the template included to help you drill.
If you have a young kitten hold the door open a bit and gradually encourage it to go through. Reward it as it passes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent option to let your pet leave and come in and out of your house as it wants. This will help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to get back in if left outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat in or out and make your home secure by letting you know when it's gone.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being pushed through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly and the entrance to your home so that you can make sure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is a little longer or taller than the normal, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it up or down a small amount.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the mark as an indication, cut out the contour of the flap on the door with the help of a Jigsaw. Once you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes needed.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process can be slightly more complicated if you are required to install it in the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors are available in different thicknesses, which can impact the way the holes are cut. This is why we recommend hiring a professional to carry out the job, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is especially useful when your cat is in the house during all seasons while you are at work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap inside your door, it is crucial to take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. While it may seem a simple operation it is important to get the measurement right or your pet will find it difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a position where they cannot move and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not bending in any way. Holding the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the bottom of their tail can allow you to determine an precise measurement.
Once you have your cat's measurement and measurements, you need to look at the door to determine the best place to place the flap. It is advisable to place the flap in the middle of your cat's stomach as it will allow them to pass through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise as it moves back and forward.
You will also need to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall design. This could make the process of fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is of the correct size.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole on the door. This will help you determine where the hole needs to be located and ensure that the template is positioned precisely on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to make sure that the template is flush against the door will also be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap prior to you can install it. This can be a challenging job and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitter for this job in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to complete the task yourself. It is also recommended that you review the directions that come with the cat flap kit to find out how to do it correctly.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good guideline is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. Your cat will be able to move through the flap without difficulty and also give other cats or snooping neighbours difficult time trying to enter or leave.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit comes with a template you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you'll be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
You can install the cat flap yourself on a wood or uPVC door when you're confident with a jigsaw. Be replacement upvc door panels with cat flap not to cut through 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'd like to cut it. Make sure to take your time and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully fit the cat flap into its new home and make sure that it is firmly secured. If it has caps for screws, then put them onto the screws that protrude. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to go through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the front of the door. You can also push the cat with a stick or your hand. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap, it is likely to be able into and out as it wishes, so you can let it out or in without keeping the door open for it throughout the day (and potentially in all weathers).
You can fit an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door however it's not as simple as fitting one into a wood exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the hole for the flap and can also affect whether your flap fits correctly once it's been installed.
Depending on the type of cat flap you select It could include a mounting kit and template that will show exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with a template you can use a photocopier to make your own. It is important not to use the jigsaw to in order to cut, so it doesn't create a larger 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 essential to make sure the hole is in the correct location on your door as if it's not, your cat won't be able to use it and may be stuck out in the sun all day (or even at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you regulate when your cat is allowed to enter and leave. They can be extremely useful in the event that you are worried about your pet going out at night and coming back in because of the darkness, or if you're working all day. The lock can be used to allow entry or exit, and some are locked in both directions, permitting you to close the door completely. This is especially beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go out in rainy weather.