Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to set up a cat flap however, with the proper instructions, it's not too difficult. Determine how high you would like your cat flap to be (normally it's at the belly height). Note this on the door and use the template included as a guideline to drill.
If you have a small kitten, prop the door open a bit and gradually encourage it to pass through. Reward it when it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at its convenience. This will help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is exercising and also being able to get 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 out or in, and keep your home secure by letting you know when it has left.
However, it is essential that the cat flap is properly fitted to stop your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's belly and the size of the doorway in your home to ensure the flap is at the right height. You can alter the height of your flap when your cat is taller or smaller than average.
cat flap fitting is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. With the markings as a guideline, you can use an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap inside the door. Once you have cut out the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes required.
The installation of a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process can be a little more complicated when you have to install it inside the frame of a uPVC or composite door as these doors have various thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. This is why we recommend calling a professional to complete the job, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of listening to the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful if you are at work most of the day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home in any weather.
It is important to first measure your cat before you attempt the installation. It might seem like a simple task, but it is crucial to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat may find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and also make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any place. You can get a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've got your cat's measurement and measurements, you need to examine the door to determine the best place to place the flap. The flap should be placed 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 a lot noise as it swings back and forth.
cat flap install must think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. Although timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall design, which can make fitting a cat flap more difficult as you will need to ensure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile reading through the directions that come with the kit to find a template drawing that can be used to mark out the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you to see where the opening needs to be and also ensure that the template is placed correctly on the door. It is also helpful to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap before you can attach it. It's a challenging task, so it's recommended that you hire a professional to assist you if you don't have the expertise or experience. You can also consult the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do it correctly.
You can take the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. A good rule of thumb is to set the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is roughly the average height of the cat's belly. Your cat can move through the flap comfortably and will also make the other cats or neighbours who are snooping an issue when trying to enter or leave.
Once you've determined the location where the cat flap needs to be located, mark the position on the door with the help of a pencil. If your kit has a template, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you should be able to cut out the template and replace it with the flap for cats.
If you are installing your cat flap inside a door made from wood or uPVC, it is possible to do it yourself if you feel confident enough to handle a jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut into any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Remember to take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new home. Make sure it is securely secured. If it features screw caps, then push these caps onto the screws that protrude. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block drafts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet to go through it by placing a small amount cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is used to moving through the flap, it will be able to move into and out as it wants, so you can let it in or out without to open the door for it all day (and potentially in all weather conditions).
You can fit the flap onto a UPVC or glass door however it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a wood external door because the UPVC and glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This could affect the way you cut the opening for the flap and can also affect whether your flap will fit properly once it's been installed.
Based on the type of cat flap you pick It may be equipped with a mounting kit and template that will show you exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with an example you can copy it to create your own. It is important not to press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't create a larger than necessary hole in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are also some which are circular, and they are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, ensure that the hole is in the correct spot on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able to access it, and could be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that allow you to control the time your cat is allowed to enter and leave. These are useful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark or returning to the house at night. They can also be helpful for those who work all day. Certain locks can be used for either entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for older cats or sick cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.