Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to install the flap for your cat but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Determine how high you would like the flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Then, mark this area on the door, and use the template provided as a guide to drill.
If you have a young kitten you can prop the door open very slightly and gradually encourage it to enter. Reward it each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to go in and out of your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat healthy as it will ensure that it is exercising regularly and be able to go back inside when it is trapped outside during bad weather. It also can reduce the amount of time you need to let it in or out and will also help keep your home safe by letting you know when it's been out.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is set up correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced 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 width of the doorway at your home to ensure the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the height of your flap when your cat is taller or less than the average.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the centre of the door that you will put the flap. Then, using the markings as an indication, cut out the form of the flap on the door with a Jigsaw. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes required.
The process of fitting a cat flap is not as difficult as you may think and it should not take more than two hours to complete the entire process from beginning to completion. The process is slightly more difficult if you have to install it on the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because these doors are available in various thicknesses, which can impact the way the holes are cut. This is why we always recommend calling an expert to do the job, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from listening to your pet meow to let it in or out. This is particularly helpful when your cat is inside in all weathers while you work.
It is important to measure your cat first before you attempt the installation. It might seem like a simple task, but it is crucial to make sure you measure the right measurements. If not, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a position where they cannot move and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any way. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the bottom of their tail can allow you to get an precise measurement.
Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide where to put the flap. The best option is to place the flap in the middle of your cat's belly as it will allow them to pass through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise as it opens and closes.
You should also think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have the same thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This could make the process of the process of putting in the flap for your cat more difficult as you need to ensure the hole is the proper size.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole on the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole should be located and ensure that the template is set correctly on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting in a straight line against the door will 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. This can be a challenging job, and it is recommended to get help from a professional cat flap fitting service for this job if you don't have the skills or experience to tackle it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do it right.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good rule of thumb is to place the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap easily and make it more difficult for other cats or nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using pencil. If your kit has the template you can place it on the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you should be able to cut the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on a door made from wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle a jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square, depending on how you'd like to cut it. Take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut then carefully insert the flap onto its new home and ensure that it's securely fixed. If it has screw caps, then push them onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut and then seal any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to walk through by placing a small amount of cat food in front of the door. You can also push the cat using sticks or your hand. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap it will be able to move into and out as it wants, so you can let it out and in without keeping the door open for it all day (and likely in any weather).
It is possible to put an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, however it may not be as simple as putting one in a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that UPVC doors and some types of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the hole for the flap, and can also affect whether your flap fits correctly once it's installed.
Depending on the model of cat flap you pick, it may be equipped with a mounting kit and template that shows precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include an example you can use a photocopier to make your own. cat flap installation in glass doors near me not to push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't make a larger than needed hole in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is in the right place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able use it, and may be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Some models of cat flap come with locks that allow you to manage when your cat comes in and goes. They can be extremely useful in the event that you are worried about your pet going out at night only to come back in the darkness, or you're at work all day. The lock can be turned on to allow entry or exit, and some locks can be locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely, which is particularly beneficial for older or ill cats who aren't willing to go out in rainy weather.