Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to install a cat flap, but with the right instructions, it's not too difficult. Determine how high you would like the flap to be (normally it's located at the belly height). Mark this point on your door, and use the included template to help you drill.
If you have a young kitten hold the door open a bit and gradually push it to pass through. Reward it as it passes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is an excellent method to let your pet come and go in and out of your home as it wants. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise and also being able to get back in if it is left outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This will cut down on the time you allow your cat out or in and make your home safer by notifying you when it's gone.
However, it is important that the cat flap is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly and the doorway to your home in order to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is a little longer or taller than the average, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the center of the door where you will put the flap. With the markings as a reference, use an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap within the door. Once you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes required.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. The process is a bit more complicated if you are required to install it on the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors are available in a variety of thicknesses, which can affect the way that holes are cut. This is why we always recommend hiring a professional to complete the work, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of listening to the cat's meows 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 first measure your cat before you begin the installation. It might seem like a simple task, but it is important to make sure you measure the right measurements. If not, your cat might find it difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not arching in any places. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the base of their tail can allow you to make an exact measurement.
Once you've determined your cat's measurements then you can look at the door to decide where to put the flap. It is advisable to place the flap at the height of your cat's stomach as this will help them to pass through it with minimal effort. This will also avoid the flap making quite a lot of noise when it opens and closes.
It is also important to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall structure. This makes the process of putting in a flap for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is of the correct size.
It is also worthwhile reading through the directions included with the cat flap kit to find an illustration template that can be used to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the hole should be placed and ensure that the template is positioned precisely on the door. It is also a good idea to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut an opening in the door panel for your cat flap before you can attach it. It can be a difficult job, so it's recommended that you get a professional assist you if you do not have the expertise or experience. You can also read the instructions provided with the kit to discover how to do it correctly.
To do this you need to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use that as an indicator point. A good rule of thumb is to put the cat flap about 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 comfortably and it will also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping a tough time trying to get in or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit comes with the template, place it over the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. You should then be able cut out the shape 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, you are able to do this yourself if you feel confident enough to handle using 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 circle or square according to the way you want it. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully fit the cat flap into its new location and make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap has screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap you can leave it open and encourage your pet to go through by putting a small amount of cat food in front of the door. You can also push the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is accustomed to moving through the flap, it should be able to go into and out as it wants so you can let it out and in without keeping the door open for it throughout the day (and potentially in all weathers).
It is possible to install the flap inside a UPVC door or a glass door, however it's not as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is due to the fact that the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This can affect how you cut the opening for the flap and will also affect whether the flap fits correctly once it's been installed.
The mounting kit may contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to make one by yourself. When cutting, it's important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too to the point that you make a larger hole than necessary in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape but there are some that are circular, and are typically more difficult to fit. If you have a round flap, make sure the hole is in the correct spot on the door. If not, your cat might not be able use it, and may be outside all day (or night).
Certain models of cat flaps have locks that let you control the time your cat comes and goes. These are very helpful if you're worried about your pet going out at night and then coming back in the darkness, or you're working all day. Some locks can be used to lock entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.