Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting, but it is fairly simple with the right instructions. First, decide how high you want the cat flap to be (on average or 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 then gently prop the door slightly open and allow it to walk through. Reward it when it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a wonderful option to allow your pet to come and go inside and out of your home whenever it pleases. This will help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise and also being able to go back in if it is stuck outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat go in and out and also make your home safer by letting you know when it's gone.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being pushed through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's stomach and the width of the doorway in your home to ensure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is taller or shorter than average, you can adjust the position of the flap by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door, where you will install the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the form of the flap with a jigsaw. After you've cut the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
The process of fitting a cat flap isn't as difficult as you think and it should not take more than two hours to finish the entire job from start to the end. The process can be slightly more complicated if you are required to install it on the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because composite doors are available in different thicknesses, which can affect the way holes are cut. We recommend to consult with an expert if this is your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hours of listening to your pet meow to let it in or out. This is especially helpful for cats that are in the house during all seasons while you work.
If you're planning to put a cat flap inside your door it is important that you take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. It may seem like a straightforward task, but it's essential to make sure you measure the right measurements. Otherwise, your pet might find it difficult to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a place where they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. You can get a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you have the measurement of your cat, it's time to look at the door and decide where to put the flap. It is advisable to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's stomach as this will allow them to move through it without much effort. This will also avoid the flap making lots of noise when it swings open and closed.
You must think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While all timber doors have the same thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This makes fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult since you must ensure that the hole is of the correct size.
It is also worth reading through the directions included with the kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you to see where the opening must be and also make sure the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit-level to ensure that the template is right against the door will be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut a hole in the door panel for your cat flap before you can put it in place. This can be a daunting job so it's recommended you engage a professional to help you if you lack the knowledge or skills. It is also recommended that you review the directions that come with the cat flap kit to learn how to do it correctly.
You can take the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good rule of thumb is to put the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and will make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with pencil. Next, if your kit includes a template for paper, place this over the door and use the marks to drill holes into every corner of the template. Then, you'll be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself on the door made of wood or uPVC if you are confident with the use of a jigsaw. Be careful not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle depending on the way you'd like to cut it. Remember to take your time and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once upvc door panels with cat flap is made, carefully place the cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure that it is firmly secured. If the flap has screws then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut and then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Install 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 outside of the door. You can also push the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat has become used to walking through the flap it will be able to come and go at will. This allows you to let it in and out at any time it's wanted.
You can install an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door although this may not be exactly the same as fitting one into a timber external door since the UPVC and glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on how you cut the hole for the flap and could affect the way your flap will fit properly once it's been installed.
The mounting kit may contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template you can make one on your own. When cutting, it's crucial to avoid pushing the jigsaw too to the point that you make a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are also some which are circular, and they are typically more difficult to fit. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is located in the correct place on the door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able use it, and might be outside all day (or at night).
Some cat flaps come with locks that allow you to control the time your cat comes and goes. They are helpful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark or coming back in the dark. They can also be helpful for those who work all day. The lock can be engaged to allow or deny entry, and some can be locked in either direction permitting 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.