Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to put up a cat flap but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Find out how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's located at belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and use the template provided to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten that is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to go through. Reward the kitten as it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This will keep your cat healthy as it will ensure it gets enough exercise and will also allow it to return inside if it is trapped outside in bad weather. This will cut down on the time you have to let your cat out or in and also make your home safer by letting you know when it's gone.
It is crucial to make sure that the cat flap is set up correctly in order to prevent your pet from being pushed through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway of your house in order to make sure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is longer or taller than the average, you can alter the position of the flap by moving it up or down a small amount.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the centre of the door where you will put the flap. Using the marking as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap in the door. After you have cut the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process can be slightly more difficult if you have to install it on a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors come in various thicknesses, which could affect the way that holes are cut. This is why we always recommend calling a professional to complete the task, especially when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of hearing your pet's cries for you to let it in or out. This is especially useful for cats that are inside in all weathers while you work.
If you want to fit a cat flap inside your door, it is essential that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. While it may seem to be a simple task, it is essential to make sure you measure correctly or your pet will be unable to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm and not feeling stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to keep them in a way that they cannot move and ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body, not arching in any places. Holding the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the base of their tail can allow you to determine an accurate measurement.
Once you've got your cat's measurement then you can look at the door to determine the best place to place the flap. The best option is to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's stomach as this will help them to pass through it with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making too much noise when it swings back and back.
You must consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall construction and this can make the installation of the cat flap more difficult as you will need to ensure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole on the door. This will allow you to see the location where the opening should be and also ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also a good idea to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is placed flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you have to cut the door panel in order to make it large enough to accommodate it. It's a challenging job so it's recommended you hire a professional to assist you if you do not have the skills or experience. It is also recommended that you review the directions that come with the cat flap kit to learn how to do this correctly.
To do this, you will need to measure the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as a reference point. In general you should place the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will let your cat pass through the flap easily and make it more difficult for other cats and nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with the pencil. If your kit comes with the template put it on top of the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you should be able cut out the template and replace it with the flap for cats.
If you are installing your cat flap inside the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do this yourself if you feel confident enough to handle the jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut through any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle according to the way you'd like to cut it. Make sure to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the flap of cat food into its new location and make sure that it's securely fixed. If it has caps on the screws, then place these onto the protruding screws. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. Full Record will stop the entry of draughts into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to go through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through with your hands or a stick. Once your cat has become accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be in a position to move as it pleases. This lets you let it in and out whenever it wants.
You can fit an animal flap inside the UPVC or glass doors although this may not be exactly the same as fitting it into a wooden exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC and glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can have a significant impact on the way you cut the hole for the flap, and could affect the way your flap is fitted correctly after it has installed.
Depending on the model of cat flap you choose It may be equipped with a mounting kit and template that will show precisely where to drill holes for it. If the kit does not come with a template, you can make one on your own. It is important not to push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't create a larger than needed hole in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is located in the correct place on your door. If not, your cat may not be able to use it, and might be outside all day (or night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that let you regulate when your cat is allowed to enter and leave. Full Record are useful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark or coming back to the house at night. They can also be helpful when you are working all day. Some locks can be used for entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is beneficial for older cats or sick cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.