Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to set up a cat flap however, with the proper instructions, it's not too difficult. Decide how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's at belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and use the included template as a guide when drilling.
If you have a small kitten, prop the door open a bit and gradually allow it to enter. Reward the kitten as it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to move into and out of your home at its convenience. This will keep your cat in good health as it ensures that it gets enough exercise and also be able to return inside if it gets trapped in the elements during bad weather. It can also cut down on the amount of time you have to let it out or in and will also help keep your home safe by allowing you to know when it's been out.
It is crucial that the flap for your cat is properly fitted to stop your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly and the height of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is larger or shorter than the normal, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guideline, you can use a jigsaw and cut out the form of the flap within the door. Once you've cut the area, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are needed.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. The process can be slightly more difficult if you have to install it on the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because composite doors come in various thicknesses, which could affect the way holes are cut. We recommend to consult with a professional when this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of ignoring the cat's meows to be let in or out. This is especially helpful when your cat is in the house during all seasons when you are at work.
If you're planning to put a cat flap in your door, it is crucial that you measure your cat before attempting the task. It may seem like a straightforward task, but it's crucial to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat may find it difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a way that they cannot move and also make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not bending in any place. You can get a precise 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 figured out the measurements of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide on where to put the flap. The best option is to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly because this will allow them to pass through it with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot of noise when it swings back and back.
You will need to take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While cat flap installers near me are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall design and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult because you must ensure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
It is also worth looking through the instructions included with the cat flap kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark out the location of the hole in the door. This will help you to determine where the opening must be, and also to make sure the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also helpful to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap before you can put it in place. This is a difficult task and it is recommended that you get help from a professional cat flap fitting service to complete this task should you not have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. It is also recommended to review the directions that come with the cat flap kit to discover how to do this correctly.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. A good guideline is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This way, your cat will be able to move through the flap comfortably and also give any other cats or curious neighbours difficult time trying to enter or leave.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using pencil. Then, if your kit has an outline of paper, place it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes in each corner of the template. You will then be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if are comfortable with the jigsaw. Be sure not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle, depending on how you'd like it. Be patient and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place the cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure it is securely secured. If the flap has screws then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block the entry of draughts into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with a stick or your hand. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be able to move into and out as it wishes, so you can let it out or in without having to be there to open the door for it throughout the day (and likely in any weather).
It is possible to install an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, but it's not as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is due to the fact that the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This can have a major impact on how you cut out the flap hole and also how well the flap fits after installation.
Based on the type of cat flap you choose It may include a mounting kit and a template that will show you exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include the template you can copy it to create your own. When cutting, it is important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too hard so that you don't make a larger hole than you need in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape but there are some that are circular, and are generally more difficult to place. If you have a circular flap it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the proper location on your door as 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 let you regulate when your cat comes in and goes. They are helpful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark or coming back to the house at night. They can also be helpful for those who work all day. The lock can be used to allow entry or exit, and some locks can be locked in both directions, which allows you to close the door completely. This is particularly beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go out in rainy weather.