Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might be a bit daunting but it's simple to install with the right instructions. Decide how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's located at belly height). Note this on your door and then use the included template to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten hold the door slightly open and gradually encourage it to enter. Reward the kitten as it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent method to allow your pet to leave and come inside and out of your home as it likes. This can keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it is getting enough exercise and also be able to go back inside when it is trapped in the elements during bad weather. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat in or out and make your home safe by letting you know when it's left.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is set up correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly and the doorway of your house in order to ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is a little taller or shorter than normal, you can adjust the position of the flap by moving it up or down a small amount.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Then, using the markings as a guideline, cut out the shape of the flap using the help of a Jigsaw. After you've cut the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. However, the process could be a bit more difficult if you need to fit it onto the frame of a uPVC or composite door because these doors have various thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and what they are inserted into. We always suggest to consult with a professional if this is your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from listening to your pet's meow for you to let it in or out. This is especially helpful if your cat is trapped in the house during all seasons while you are at work.
It is crucial to first measure your cat before you begin the installation. It might seem like a straightforward task, but it's essential to measure your cat correctly. Otherwise, your pet might find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed before you take the measurements. You will need to hold them in a position where they cannot move and also make sure that the measuring tape or ruler 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 look at the door and decide on 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 with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap making lots of noise when it swings open and shut.
You must 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 may differ in their overall structure and can make fitting a cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile reading through the directions that come with the cat flap kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to determine the position of the hole in the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole must be placed and ensure that the template is set precisely on the door. It is also beneficial to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you need to cut the door's panel to make it large enough to accommodate it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended to seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting service for this step in case you don't have the skills or experience to complete the task yourself. You can also refer to the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do it properly.
To do this, you will need to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly. Use this as a reference point. As a rule of thumb, place the cat flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the cat's belly. Your cat will be able to go through the flap with ease and will also make the other cats or neighbours who are snooping difficult time trying to enter or leave.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using the pencil. If your kit comes with the template put it on top of the door. Use cat flap installer near me on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you should be able to cut the template and replace it with the flap for cats.
If you are installing your cat flap on an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you can do this yourself if you are confident enough to use the jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or a circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure it is firmly secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block draughts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food in front of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your pet has become accustomed to walking through the flap it will be capable of walking through the flap whenever it wants. This allows you to let it in and out as it wants.
You can install a cat flap into 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 the same thickness. This can affect the way you cut the opening for the flap and can also affect whether your flap will fit properly once it's installed.
Depending on the type of cat flap you select, it may come with its own mounting kit and a template that will show exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can make one on your own. It's important not to press the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't create a larger than needed hole in your door.
Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, but there are also some which are circular and these are usually more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, make sure that the hole is located in the correct place on the door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able to access it, and might be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Some models of cat flap come with locks that allow you to manage the time your cat comes and goes. They can be extremely useful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night and coming back in due to the darkness, or you're at work all day. Some locks can be used for either entry or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for sick or older cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.