Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to install a cat flap but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, decide how high you want the flap to be (on average, belly height). Note this on your door and then use the included template to help you drill.
If you have a kitten that is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and allow it to pass through. Reward it when it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise and also being able to go back in if it is left outside in bad weather, particularly during the winter. 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 has left.
However, it is important that the cat flap is properly fitted to stop your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's belly as well as the size of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the position of your flap when your cat is smaller or taller than the average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the marks as an outline, cut the form of your flap using a jigsaw. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are needed.
The installation of a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process is a bit more challenging if you need to install it in the form of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because composite doors come in different thicknesses, which could affect the way holes are cut. We recommend to consult with a professional for your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of listening to the pet meow to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful when your cat is in the house during all seasons while you work.
It is essential to first measure your cat before you attempt the installation. It may appear to be a simple task, but it's essential to measure your cat correctly. If not, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm and not feeling stressed prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep them in a manner that they cannot move and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not arching in any places. You can get an accurate measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat, it's time to look at the door and decide where to place the flap. A good tip is to position the flap at the height of your cat's belly as it will allow them to pass through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and shut.
It is also important to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. 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 because you must make sure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
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 must be located and make sure that the template is set precisely on the door. It is also beneficial to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template sits perfectly against the door.
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. It's a challenging task so it's recommended you engage a professional to assist you if you don't have the expertise or experience. It is also recommended to review the directions that come with the kit to discover how to do it correctly.
cat flap installation cost near me can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. A good rule of thumb is to place the flap around 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is roughly the average height of the cat's belly. Your cat will be able to move through the flap comfortably and also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping an issue when trying to enter or leave.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. If your kit includes the template, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you should be able cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, it is possible to do this yourself if you are comfortable with using a Jigsaw. Be sure not to cut into the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Make sure to take your time and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the cat flap into its new home and ensure that it is firmly fixed. If the flap is fitted with screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. After replacement upvc door panels with cat flap are installed smooth the edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block drafts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by placing a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also push the cat using sticks or your hand. Once your cat is accustomed to moving through the flap, it is likely to be able in and out as it pleases, so you can let it out or in without keeping the door open for it all day (and likely in any weather).
It is possible to fit the flap onto the UPVC or glass doors although this may not be as simple as fitting one into a timber external door since the UPVC doors and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut the hole for the flap, and will also affect whether the flap fits correctly once it's been put in place.
The mounting kit could contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template you can make one yourself. It's important to not press the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't make a larger than needed hole in your door.
The majority of 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 round flap, make sure that the hole is located in the correct spot on the door. If not, your cat may not be able to use it, and could be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Some cat flaps have locks that let you control the time your cat enters and leaves. These are very helpful if you're worried about your cat going out at night and coming back in because of the darkness, or you're working all day. The lock can be turned on for entry or exit and some can be locked in both directions, which allows you to close the door completely. This is particularly beneficial for older or ill cats who aren't willing to go out in rainy weather.