Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to put up the flap for your cat however, with the proper instructions it's not that hard. Decide how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at the belly height). Note this on the door and then use the template included as a guide to drill.
If you have a small kitten, prop the door slightly open and gradually encourage it to enter. Reward the kitten as it moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is an excellent way to allow your pet to come and go inside and out of your home whenever it likes. This can help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise and also being able to go back in if it is trapped outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. This will reduce the amount of time you have to let your cat in or out and also make your home safer by letting you know when it's left.
It is important to ensure that the cat flap is placed properly to stop your pet from being pushed through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway to your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the normal, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it up or down a small amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door where you will put the flap. Then, using the mark as an outline, cut the form of your flap with the aid of a Jigsaw. After cutting the flap and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
Fitting a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process can be a bit more difficult if you need to fit it inside the door of a uPVC or composite door as these doors have a wide range of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed into. We always suggest to contact a professional for your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of listening to the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is especially helpful if your cat is trapped inside in all weathers while you are at work.
It is essential to first measure your cat before attempting to install. Although it might seem like a simple operation it is essential to make sure you measure correctly or your pet will find it very difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a place where they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. Keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail will enable you to make an accurate measurement.
Once you have the measurement of your cat, it is 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 with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise as it swings back and forth.
You should also take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall structure. This makes fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult as you must ensure that the hole is of the correct size.
It is also worth reading through the directions included with the cat flap kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine the location where the opening should be and also ensure that the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit level to make sure that the template is in a straight line against the door will also be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you must cut the door's panel to make it large enough for it. This is a difficult task and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitter to complete this task in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to tackle it yourself. You can also consult the instructions included in the kit to find out how to do it properly.
To do this, you will need to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use that as a reference point. A good rule of thumb is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is roughly the average height of the cat's belly. This way your cat will be able to move through the flap with ease and also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping difficult time trying to enter or leave.
Once you have determined the location where the cat flap needs to be positioned, mark this position on the door with the help of a pencil. Next, if your kit has a paper template, lay this over the door and use the markings to drill holes into every corner of the template. You will then be able cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on a door made from wood or uPVC, it is possible to do this yourself if you are confident enough to use the Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Remember to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure that it is solidly secured. If the flap has screws 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 prevent drafts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the front of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your pet has become used to moving through the flap, it will be able to come and go at will. This allows you to let it in and out whenever it wants.
It is possible to put an animal flap into a UPVC door or a glass door, however it's not as easy as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because UPVC doors and some types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. source for this article could have an enormous impact on how you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
The mounting kit could include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit does not come with a template, you can create one by yourself. When cutting, visit the following web page to not push the jigsaw far enough to create a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, but there are some that are circular and these are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the correct position on your door because if it's not, your cat can't use it and may be stuck outside all day (or even at night).
Some cat flaps have locks which permit you to manage the time your cat comes and goes. These are useful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark or returning inside at night. They can also be helpful if you work all day. The lock can be used for entry or exit and some are locked in both directions, which allows you to close the door completely. This is especially helpful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go out in the rain.