Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to put up the flap for your cat however, with the proper guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, determine the height you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on the door and use the template provided as a reference to drill.
If you have a young kitten hold the door open very slightly and gradually push it to go through. Reward it when it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent option to let your pet leave and come into and out of your house as it wants. This will help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise and also being able to come back in if it is left outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. It can also cut down on the amount of time you need to spend letting it in or out and can keep your home safe by allowing you to know when it has gone out.
However, it is important that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway of your house in order to ensure that the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the height of your flap when your cat is taller or smaller than the average.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the centre of the door where you will install the flap. Using the marking as a guide, take a jigsaw and cut out the form of the flap within the door. Once you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes needed.
The process of fitting a cat flap is not as difficult as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to finish the entire task from start to completion. The process is a bit more difficult if you have to install it in the form of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because composite doors come in different thicknesses, which can impact the way the holes are cut. This is why we always recommend calling a professional to complete the work, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful for those who work most of the day and your cat is stuck in the house waiting for you to get home in all weathers.
It is essential to measure your cat's measurements first before you attempt the installation. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your pet will find it difficult to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep them in a manner that they cannot move and ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not arching in any places. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the tip of their tail will enable you to determine an exact measurement.
Once you've determined your cat's measurement and measurements, you need to examine the door to decide the best place to place the flap. A good tip is to position the flap at the height of your cat's belly because it will allow them to move through it with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot of noise as it swings back and forth.
You should also think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This can make the process of putting in an enclosure for your cat more difficult since you need to ensure the hole is the right size.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the hole should be located and ensure that the template is set correctly on the door. Using a spirit level to make sure that the template is sitting right against the door will also be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap, you'll must cut the door's panel to create a space large enough for it. It's a challenging task, so it's recommended that you hire a professional to assist you if you don't have the skills or experience. You can also refer to the instructions provided in the kit to find out how to do it properly.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. As a rule of thumb put the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the typical height of the stomach for cats. This way your cat will be able to go through the flap without difficulty and it will also give any other cats or curious neighbours difficult time trying to get in or out.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using the pencil. Then, if your kit comes with a template for paper, place it over the door and use the marks to drill holes in every corner of the template. After that, you'll be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
You can install the cat flap yourself on the door made of wood or uPVC If you're comfortable with the jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle depending on the way you'd like it. Remember to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new home. Make sure it is firmly secured. If it features caps for screws, then put them onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will stop the entry of draughts into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap , you can leave it open and encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food in front of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through using your hand or a stick. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap it is likely to be able in and out as it wishes and you should be able to let it in or out without having to be there to open the door for it throughout the day (and likely in any weather).
It is possible to fit an animal flap inside an UPVC or glass door although this may not be as simple as fitting one into a timber exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC doors and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This can affect how you cut the opening for the flap and could affect the way your flap fits correctly once it's been installed.
The mounting kit may include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with the template you can use a photocopier to create your own. It's important not to push the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't leave a bigger than needed hole in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are some that are circular, and they are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the correct location on your door as if it's not, your cat won't be able to use it and could be left out in the sun all day (or even night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that let you determine when your cat is allowed to enter and leave. This is useful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark, or coming back inside at night. They are also useful when you are working all day. Certain locks can be used for entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for sick or older cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.