Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might appear daunting, but it is fairly easy to do by following the correct instructions. Firstly, determine how high you want the cat flap to be (on average, belly height). Mark this point on your door and use the included template as a guide when drilling.
If you have a small kitten, prop the door open very slightly and gradually encourage it to go through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a wonderful method to let your pet leave and come inside and out of your house as it pleases. This will keep your cat healthy since it ensures that it is exercising regularly and also be able to return inside if it is trapped outside in bad weather. It can also reduce the amount of time you need to let it out or in. It will also help ensure your home is secure by allowing you to know when it's been out.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is set up properly to stop your pet from being pushed through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine your pet's belly height and the doorway of your house in order to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is larger or shorter than the average, you can alter the flap's position by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door, where you will install the flap. Then, using the mark as a guideline, cut out the contour of the flap using the help of a Jigsaw. Once you have cut out the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes that are required.
upvc door panel with cat flap of installing a cat flap isn't as difficult as you believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire process from beginning to finish. However, the process may be a bit more difficult if you need to fit it inside the frame of a uPVC or composite door because these doors come with a wide range of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and what they are inserted into. We recommend that you call an expert if this is your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful if your cat is trapped in the house during all seasons while you are at work.
It is important to first measure your cat before you attempt the installation. It might seem like a simple task, but it is essential to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep 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 way. You can take 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 determined your cat's measurements and measurements, you need to examine the door to determine where to place the flap. The best option is to place the flap at the height of your cat's stomach as this will allow them to pass through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise as it moves back and forward.
You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This could make the process of the installation of the flap for your cat more difficult since you have to make sure that the hole is the proper size.
It is also worth reading through the directions that come with the kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to determine the location of the hole inside the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole needs to be located and ensure that the template is set precisely on the door. It is also helpful to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut a hole in the door panel for your cat flap before you can install it. This can be a challenging job and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting service for this job in case you don't have the expertise or knowledge to complete the task yourself. It is also recommended that you consult the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to discover how to do it correctly.
You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. In general you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average height of the stomach for cats. This way your cat will be able to move through the flap with ease and also give other cats or snooping neighbours an issue when trying to get in or out.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using pencil. If your kit includes the template, place it over the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. You should then be able cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap inside a door made from wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if you are comfortable with using a Jigsaw. Be sure to not cut through any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle according to the way you'd like to cut it. Be patient, and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure it's solidly secured. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block draughts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to go through it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hand or a stick. Once your pet is used to moving through the flap, it will be able to move in and out as it wishes, so you can let it in or out without keeping the door open for it throughout the day (and possibly in all weathers).
It is possible to fit an animal flap inside an UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a wood exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC and glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the hole for the flap and will also affect whether the flap will fit properly once it's installed.
Depending on the type of cat flap you choose It may be equipped with a mounting kit and template that will tell you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with the template you can copy it to create your own. It's important not to push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't make a larger than needed hole in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are some that are circular, and they are usually more difficult to place. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door because if it's not, your cat can't use it and may be stuck outside all day (or even night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that let you determine when your cat can enter and leave. These are useful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark or returning inside at night. They can also be helpful when you are working all day. The lock can be engaged to allow entry or exit, and some locks can be locked in either direction allowing you to shut the door completely. This is especially helpful for older or ill cats who aren't willing to go out in bad weather.