Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to install the flap for your cat but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Find out how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's located at belly height). Then, mark this area on the door, and use the template as a reference to drill.
If you have a kitten that is still a baby and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and allow it to walk through. Reward the kitten as it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a great option to let your pet come and go inside and out of your home as it likes. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise and also being able to go back in if trapped outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. This will cut down on the time you allow your cat go in and out and also make your home secure by letting you know when it's gone.
It is crucial to make sure that the cat flap is set up properly to stop your pet from being forced through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's stomach and the width of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the position of your flap in case your cat is taller or smaller than average.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the center of the door where you will put the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the shape of your flap with a Jigsaw. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are required.
The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as difficult as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire job from start to the end. However, the process can be a little more complicated when you have to install it inside the frame of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come with various thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed to. This is the reason we recommend calling a professional to carry out the work, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet meow to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful for cats that are inside during the winter months when you are at work.
It is crucial to measure your cat first before attempting to install. Although it might seem like to be a simple task, it is crucial to make sure you measure correctly or your pet will be unable to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a manner that they cannot move and also ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not arching in any places. 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 have the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide where to put the flap. It is advisable 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 forward.
You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. Although timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall design and this can make the installation of the cat flap more difficult as you will need to make sure the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole must be located and ensure that the template is set precisely on the door. Using a spirit-level to ensure that the template is sitting right against the door can be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll must cut the door's panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. It's a challenging job and it is recommended that you engage a professional to help you if you lack the skills or experience. You can also read the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do it correctly.
You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. As a rule of thumb you should place the flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the belly for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap easily and make it more difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to get inside or out.
Once cat flap installation cost decided the location where the cat flap needs to be located, mark the position on the door with pencil. If your kit has a template you can place it on the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you'll be able to cut the template and replace it with the flap for cats.
If you are installing your cat flap on the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if you are comfortable with a Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut through any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle according to the way you'd like it. Be patient and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been cut then carefully insert the cat flap into its new location and make sure that it is firmly fixed. If it has screw caps, then push these onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut and then seal any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by putting a little bit of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also push the cat with the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat has become used to walking through the flap it will be able to come and go at will. This lets you let it in and out whenever it wishes.
It is possible to fit the flap inside a UPVC door or a glass door, but it might not be 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 do not have a uniform thickness. This could have an enormous impact on how you cut the flap's hole and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
The mounting kit may contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit does not include the template, you can photocopy it to create your own. When cutting, it's crucial to avoid pushing the jigsaw too to the point that you create a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the right location on your door as if it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and may be stuck outside all day (or even at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to determine when your cat enters and leaves. These can be very useful in the event that you are worried about your pet going out at night only to come back in because of the darkness, or you're working all day. Some locks can be used for entry or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for sick or older cats who do not want to venture out in cold weather.