Fitting a Cat Flap

cat flap fitters can be difficult to install the flap for your cat, but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, decide how high you want the cat flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on your door and use the template provided as a guide when drilling.
If you have a young kitten hold the door open a bit and gradually push it to go through. Reward the kitten as it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This will help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it gets exercise as well as being able to come back in if it is stuck outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. It can also reduce the amount of time you need to allow it out or in. It can protect your home by allowing you to be aware of when it went out.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is set up properly to stop your pet from being pushed through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine your pet's belly height and the entrance to your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. You can alter the height of your flap if your cat is taller or less than the average.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the center of the door where you will be installing the flap. Then, using the marks as an indication, cut out the contour of the flap using the help of a Jigsaw. Once you have cut out the space, sand down the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are needed.
The installation of a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. The process is slightly more difficult if you have to install it in the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors are available in different thicknesses, which could affect the way that holes are cut. This is why we recommend calling an expert to do the work, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of listening to the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is particularly useful if you are at working all day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home in all weathers.
It is crucial to first measure your cat before attempting to install. While it may seem an easy task, it is essential to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will find it very difficult to use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not feeling anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep them in a manner that they cannot move and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not arching in any places. 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 figured out the measurements of your cat, it is 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 go through the door with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap making a lot of noise as it swings open and shut.
You must take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While all timber doors have the same thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall structure. This could make the process of the process of putting in a flap for your cat more difficult as you have to make sure that the hole is of the correct size.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole on the door. This will help you to see where the opening needs to be and also ensure that the template is properly placed on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to check that the template is sitting flush against the door can prove beneficial.
Cut cat flap installation 'll need to make a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap before you can install it. This can be a daunting task, so it's recommended that you hire a professional to assist you if you do not have the expertise or experience. You can also refer to the instructions that come with the kit to discover how to do it properly.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. A good rule of thumb is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is approximately the average belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and make it more difficult for other cats or nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Once you've determined the best location for the cat flap to be placed, mark this position on the door with a pencil. Then, if your kit has a template for paper, place this over the door and use the marks to drill holes into every corner of the template. You should then be able to cut the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door if you are confident using the use of a jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut into 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. Be patient and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully fit the flap of cat food into its new home and ensure that it's securely fixed. If it features caps on the screws, then place these onto the protruding screws. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through with your hand or a stick. Once your cat has become used to walking through the flap it will be able to come and go whenever it wants. This allows you to let it in and out at any time it's wanted.
It is possible to fit a cat flap in an UPVC door or glass door, but it's not as simple as installing one in a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This could affect the way you cut the hole for the flap and will also affect whether the flap is fitted correctly after it has installed.
Depending on the type of cat flap you select, it may be equipped with a mounting kit and a template that shows precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include a template you can create one on your own. It's important not to press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't leave a bigger than necessary hole in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are also some which are circular, and are typically more difficult to place. If you have a circular flap, ensure that the hole is in the correct spot on the door. Otherwise, the cat may not be able to access it, and might be locked outside for the entire day (or night).
Some cat flaps have locks that allow you to determine when your cat can enter and leave. These are useful for pets who are afraid of leaving in the dark or coming back in the dark. They can also be helpful for those who work all day. The lock can be used to allow or deny entry, and some are locked in both directions, which allows you to close the door completely, which is especially helpful for older or ill cats who aren't keen on going out in bad weather.