Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to install the flap for your cat however, with the proper instructions it's not that hard. Find out how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's located at belly height). Note this on the door, and use the template provided as a guide to drill.
If you have a young kitten hold the door slightly open and gradually push it to go through. Reward the kitten every time it moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to go in and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This will help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it gets exercise as well as being able to go back inside if stuck outside in bad weather, especially in winter. It can also cut down on the amount of time you'll have to allow it out or in. It will also help keep your home safe by allowing you to know when it has gone out.
It is essential to make sure that the cat flap is placed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through or escaping through it 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 make sure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the height of your flap if your cat is taller or smaller than the average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the marks as a guideline, cut out the form of your flap on the door with the aid of a jigsaw. Once cat flap cost have cut out the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are needed.
The process of installing a cat flap is not as difficult as you may think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire job from start to the end. The process is slightly more difficult if you have to put it in the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because composite doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which can affect the way holes are cut. This is the reason we recommend calling a professional to complete the job, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hours of listening to your pet meow for you to let it in or out. This is especially helpful for cats that are inside in all weathers while you work.
If you're planning to put a cat flap inside your door, it is crucial that you take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. While it may seem a simple operation it is crucial to get the measurement right or your cat will find it very difficult to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against the body. Holding the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail will allow you to make an exact measurement.
Once you've got your cat's measurement then you can examine the door to determine the best place to place the flap. The best option is to place the flap in the middle of your cat's belly as this will allow them to get through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise when it swings back and back.
It is also important to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. Although timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall design and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
It is also worth looking through the instructions included with the cat flap kit to find a template drawing that can be used to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you to see the location where the opening should be and make sure the template is properly placed on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to make sure that the template is right against the door will also be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can install it. This can be a challenging job and it is recommended that you seek the help of an expert cat flap fitter to complete this task should you not have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the kit to find out how to do it correctly.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. As a general rule, place the cat flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average height of the belly for cats. This way your cat will be able to move through the flap with ease and will also make the other cats or neighbours who are snooping a tough time trying to enter or leave.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit comes with an outline put it on top of the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. You will then be able to cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself in an uPVC or wood door if you are confident with the jigsaw. Be sure to not cut through any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle depending on the way you'd like it. Take your time and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the flap onto its new location and make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap has screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount cat food on the outside of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your cat has become used to walking through the flap it will be in a position to move at will. This lets you let it in and out whenever it wants.
It is possible to fit an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, but it might not be as simple as putting one on a wooden external door. This is because the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This can have a significant impact on how you cut the opening for the flap and could affect the way your flap is fitted correctly after it has been put in place.
Depending on the type of cat flap you select It may include a mounting kit and template that shows precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can create one by yourself. When cutting, it's important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too far enough to create a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are some that are circular and these are usually more difficult to place. 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 could be left out in the sun all day (or even night).
Some models of cat flap come with locks that permit you to control when your cat comes in and goes. These can be very useful in the event that you are worried about your cat going out at night and then coming back in because of the darkness, or if you're working all day. Certain locks can be used for either entry or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for sick or elderly cats who do not want to venture out in cold weather.