Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to install the flap for your cat but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Firstly, determine how high you want the flap to be (on average, belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and then use the included template to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn then gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to go through. Reward the kitten each time it passes.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent method to allow your pet to move in and out of your home whenever it wants. This will help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is exercising as well as being able to get back inside if left outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you need to spend letting it out or in. It can keep your home safe by letting you be aware of when it went out.
It is crucial that the cat flap is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping 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 longer or taller than the normal, you can adjust the position of the flap 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'll install the flap. Then, using the mark as an indication, cut out the shape of your flap using the help of a Jigsaw. Once you have cut out the area, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes needed.
The installation of a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process could be a little more complicated in the event that you have to put it inside a uPVC or composite door as these doors come with various thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. This is why we recommend calling a professional to complete the job, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from listening to your pet's meow to let it in or out. This is particularly helpful if you are at work most of the day and your cat has to stay inside waiting until you get home in all weathers.
If you want to fit a cat flap in your door it is important to measure your cat before attempting the task. It might appear to be a simple task, but it is essential to measure your cat correctly. In the event that you don't, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm and not stressed before you take the measurements. You will need to hold them in a manner that they cannot move and ensure 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 got the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where to put the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to walk through the door without much effort. This will also avoid the flap from making lots of noise when it swings open and closed.
You must take into consideration 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 and this can make the installation of the cat flap more difficult as you will need to ensure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
It is also worth studying the instructions included with the kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark the location of the hole inside the door. This will help you determine where the hole must be located and ensure that the template is set correctly on the door. Using a spirit-level to make sure that the template is flush against the door will prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you must cut the door panel in order to make it large enough to accommodate it. This can be a challenging job and it is recommended to seek the help of a professional cat flap fitter for this step should you not have the knowledge or skills to complete the task yourself. You can also read the instructions provided with the kit to learn how to do it right.
You can use 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 from the ground as this is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will let your cat pass through the flap without difficulty and make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you have determined the location where the cat flap needs to be placed, mark this location on the door using a pencil. If your kit includes an outline of paper, place it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes in each corner of the template. After that, you'll be able cut out the template and replace it with the cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself inside the door made of wood or uPVC when you're confident with a Jigsaw. Be sure to not cut into any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square, depending on how you want it. cat flap in upvc door panel and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new home. Make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed smooth the edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent drafts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by putting a small amount of cat food in front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using sticks or your hand. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it is likely to be able in and out as it pleases so you can let it in or out without having to be there to open the door for it all day (and potentially in any weather).
You can install a cat flap into the UPVC or glass doors but it's not exactly the same as fitting one into a timber external door since the UPVC doors and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. cat flap in upvc door panel can affect the way you cut the hole for the flap and could affect the way your flap will fit properly once it's been put in place.
The mounting kit could include a template that shows you the best places to drill holes. If the kit does not come with a template, you can make one on your own. It's important to not press the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't create a larger than necessary hole in your door.
Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are also some which are circular, and are usually more difficult to place. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the correct 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 in the open all day (or even at night).
Some models of cat flap have locks that permit you to control the time your cat comes and goes. These can be very useful in the event that you are concerned about your cat going out at night and then coming back in the darkness, or if you're at work all day. Some locks can be used for either access or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for older cats or sick cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.