Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to put up the flap for your cat but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Decide how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's located at the belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the template included to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten that is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to pass through. Reward the kitten each time it moves through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at its convenience. This will keep your cat in good health as it will ensure that it is getting enough exercise and will also allow it to go back inside if it is trapped outside during bad weather. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat in or out and also make your home safer by letting you know when it's left.
However, it is important that the flap on your cat is properly fitted to stop your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's stomach and the size of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the position of your flap in case your cat is taller or smaller than the average.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the contour of your flap with a Jigsaw. Once you've cut 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 could be a bit more difficult when you have to install it onto the door of a uPVC or composite door because these doors have a wide range of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and what they are inserted into. We recommend to consult with an expert if this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from listening to your pet's meow to let it out or in. This is especially useful if your cat is trapped inside during the winter months while you are at work.
If you want to fit a cat flap inside your door it is important to measure your cat before attempting the task. It might appear to be a simple task, but it's important to measure your cat correctly. Otherwise, your pet may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a position where they cannot move and also ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body, not bending in any way. You can get an accurate measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you have your cat's measurements and measurements, you need to examine the door to decide the best place to place the flap. The best option is to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly as this will help them to pass through it with minimal effort. This will also avoid the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and shut.
You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This makes the process of putting in an enclosure for your cat more difficult since you have to make sure that the hole is the right size.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole needs to be located and make sure that the template is positioned correctly on the door. Using a spirit-level to ensure that the template is right against the door will also be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can install it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter for this step should you not have the skills or experience to tackle it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions provided with the kit to discover how to do it correctly.
To do this you need to determine the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use that as a reference point. As a general rule you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap without difficulty and will make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to get inside or out.
Draw cat flap step of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit includes a template put it on top of the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you'll be able to cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door when you're confident using the jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut through any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a circle or square depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is cut then carefully insert the flap onto its new location and make sure that it's securely secured. If it has caps for screws, then put them onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through with your hand or a stick. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap it will be able to come and go as it pleases. This allows you to let it in and out at any time it wishes.
It is possible to fit a cat flap in an UPVC door or glass door, however it's not as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is due to the fact that the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This can affect the way 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 might include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with a template you can copy it to create your own. When cutting, it is important to not push the jigsaw to the point that you create a bigger hole than necessary in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are some that are circular, and are usually more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is located in the correct place on your door. If not, your cat may not be able to use it, and could be outside all day (or night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to determine when your cat is allowed to enter and leave. These are very helpful in the event that you are concerned about your cat going out at night and then coming back in the darkness, or if you're working 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. This is particularly beneficial for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen on going out in the rain.