Fitting a Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may appear daunting, but it is fairly easy to do with the proper instructions. Firstly, determine how high you want the flap to be (on average the belly height). Note this on the door, and use the template provided as a reference to drill.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door slightly open and gradually allow it to enter. Reward the kitten as it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to move into and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise as well as being able to go back in if it is left outside in bad weather, especially in winter. It can also reduce the amount of time you have to let it out or in and can also keep your home safe by allowing you to be aware of when it went out.
It is crucial that the flap on your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential 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 proper height. You can alter the height of your flap in case 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 be installing the flap. Then, using the marks as an indication, cut out the form of the flap on the door with the aid of a jigsaw. Once you have cut out the door, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes needed.
The process of installing the cat flap isn't as difficult as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire job from start to the end. However, the process may be a bit more difficult in the event that you have to put it inside the frame of a uPVC or composite door because these doors come with a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. This is the reason we recommend calling a professional to complete the task, especially when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of listening to the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful if you are at work all day and your cat is stuck in the waiting room until you come home in any weather.
If you're planning to put a cat flap inside your door, it is essential to take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. While it may seem to be a simple task, it is essential to measure the right way or your cat will be unable to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to hold them in a way that they are not able to move, and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not bending in any place. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail can allow you to get an accurate measurement.
Once you have your cat's measurement and measurements, you need to look at the door to determine where to put the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot of noise as it swings open and shut.
You will also need to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are all of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall construction, which can make fitting the cat flap more difficult because you must make sure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you to see where the opening must be, and also to make sure the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit level to check that the template is sitting flush against the door can be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut a hole in the door to accommodate your cat flap before you can attach it. This can be a challenging job, and it is recommended to get help from an expert cat flap fitter for this step if you don't have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do this properly.
You can consider the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. A good guideline is to put the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is approximately the average belly height for cats. Your cat will be able to move through the flap comfortably and it will also give any other cats or curious neighbours a tough time trying to get in or out.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using pencil. If your kit includes an outline put it on top of the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. After that, you'll be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
You can install the cat flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door If you're comfortable using the Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. 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 and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap of cat food into its new home and ensure that it's securely fixed. If the flap has screw caps then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap you can leave it open and encourage your pet to use it by putting a small amount of cat food in front 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 walking through the flap, it should be able to go in and out as it pleases, so you can let it out and in without having to be there to open the door for it throughout the day (and possibly in all weather conditions).
You can fit an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door but it's not as simple as fitting it into a wooden external door since the UPVC doors and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This can affect the way you cut the hole for the flap, and will also affect whether the flap will fit properly once it's been put in place.
Depending on the type of cat flap you choose It may be equipped with a mounting kit and template that will show exactly where to drill the holes for it. If visit site does not come with a template, you can make one yourself. When cutting, it's important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too far enough to create a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are some that are circular and these are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is located in the correct spot on your door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able use it, and may be outside all day (or at night).
Some cat flaps come with locks that let you regulate when your cat comes in and goes. These can be very useful when you're worried about your pet going out at night and coming back in due to the darkness, or you're at work all day. The lock can be engaged to allow or deny entry, and some are locked in either direction allowing you to shut the door completely. This is especially helpful for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen on going out in rainy weather.