Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to put up a cat flap however, with the proper instructions, it's not too difficult. Find out how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally it's located at belly height). Then, mark this area on the door, and use the template provided as a reference to drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and allow it to go through. Reward the kitten every time it moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to come and go into and out of your house as it likes. This can keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it gets enough exercise and will also allow it to go back inside if it is stranded outside in bad weather. It can also reduce the amount of time you have to spend letting it out or in. It can also keep your home safe by allowing you to be aware of when it went out.
It is crucial that the flap for your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly and the entrance to your home to make sure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is taller or shorter than average, you can alter the flap's height by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guide, take an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap inside 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 needed.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. However, the process could be a little more complicated if you need to fit it inside the door of a uPVC or composite door as these doors come in various thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed into. This is why we recommend calling an expert to do the work, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of listening to the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful when you're at work all day and your cat is stuck inside waiting until you get home in all weathers.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on your door, it is crucial to determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. Although it might appear to be an easy task, it is crucial to get the measurement right or your cat will be unable to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to hold 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 place. By keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the base of their tail can allow you to determine an precise measurement.
Once you've determined your cat's measurement then you can examine the door to decide where to place the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and shut.
You must take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While timber doors are all of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall design and this can make the installation of a cat flap more difficult because you must make sure the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the opening must be and make sure the template is properly placed on the door. cat flap cover for winter Repair My Windows And Doors is also beneficial to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap, you'll have to cut the door's panel to create a space large enough to accommodate it. This can be a challenging task and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service for this job if you don't have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. You can also consult the instructions included with the kit to discover how to do it correctly.
To do this, you will need to determine the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use that as an indicator point. A good rule of thumb is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. This will let your cat pass through the flap without difficulty and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbors to get in or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. Then, if your kit comes with a paper template, lay it over the door and use the markings to drill holes into every corner of the template. You will then be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in a door made from wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle a Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut into the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or a circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully fit the flap of cat food into its new home and ensure that it's securely secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block the entry of draughts into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can help your pet to go through it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through with your hands or with a stick. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap, it will be in a position to move whenever it wants. This lets you let it in and out as it wishes.
It is possible to put an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, however it might not be as simple as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because 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 will fit correctly after installation.
Depending on the model of cat flap you pick It may be equipped with a mounting kit and a template that will tell you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to create one on your own. It's important not to use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so that it doesn't create a larger than necessary hole in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular designs, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is located in the correct place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to use it, and might be locked outside for the entire day (or at night).
Some models of cat flap have locks which permit you to manage when your cat comes in and goes. This is useful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark or coming back in the dark. They are also useful for those who work all day. The lock can be turned on to allow entry or exit, and some can be locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely. This is especially helpful for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't keen on going out in rainy weather.