Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to set up a cat flap, but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Find out how high you'd like the cat flap (normally, it is at the belly height). Note this on your door and then use the template provided as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten hold the door open a bit and gradually allow it to enter. Reward the kitten as it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent method to allow your pet to move inside and out of your home whenever it pleases. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise and also being able to get back in if left outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This will cut down on the time you allow your cat go in and out and also make your home secure by letting you know when it's left.
It is crucial that the flap for your cat is properly fitted to stop your pet from escaping 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 in your home to ensure the flap is at the right height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the average, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it up or down a small amount.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Then, using the marks as a guideline, cut out the shape of the flap using the aid of a Jigsaw. Once you have cut out the area, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes that are needed.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process is a bit more challenging if you need to put it in a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because these doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which could affect the way holes are cut. This is why we recommend calling an expert to do the job, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from listening to your pet's meow to let it out or in. This is particularly useful if you are at work all day and your cat is in the house waiting for you to get home in any weather.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on your door it is important that you take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. It might seem like a straightforward task, but it's crucial to get the measurements right. Otherwise, your pet may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm prior to 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, not bending in any way. 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 got your cat's measurement then you can look at the door to decide where to place the flap. The best option is to place the flap at the height of your cat's belly because this will allow them to move through it without too much effort. This will also avoid the flap from making lots of noise when it opens and closes.
You must consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. Although timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall construction and this can make the installation of a cat flap more complicated as you will need to make sure the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile studying the instructions included with the kit to find an outline of the template that can be used to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the opening needs to be and make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. It is also a good idea to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template sits perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap prior to you can put it in place. cat flap installation cost near me can be a challenging job and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting service for this step in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to complete the task yourself. You can also read the instructions provided with the kit to discover how to do it correctly.
To do this you need to take a measurement of the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use that as an indication point. As a rule of thumb you should place the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. cat flap cost is the average height of the belly for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap with ease and make it more difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you've decided the location where the cat flap needs to be positioned, mark this position on the door with the help of a pencil. If your kit has a template put it on top of the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. You should then be able to cut out the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap inside the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if are confident enough to use 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 circle or square depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient, and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new home. Make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap has screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop draughts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to go through it by placing a small amount cat food on the front of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through with your hands or with a stick. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be able to move in and out as it wants so you can let it in or out without keeping the door open for it all day (and likely in any weather).
It is possible to fit an animal flap inside the UPVC or glass doors although this may not be exactly the same as fitting one into a wood exterior door due to the fact that UPVC and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could affect how you cut the hole for the flap, and can also affect whether your flap is fitted correctly after it has been installed.
The mounting kit might contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit does not come with a template, you can make one yourself. When cutting, it is important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too hard so that you don't create a bigger hole than is necessary in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the right location on your door as if it's not, the cat can't use it and could be stranded outside all day (or even night).
Some models of cat flap come with locks that allow you to control when your cat comes and goes. These can be very useful in the event that you are worried about your pet going out at night and coming back in because of the darkness, or you're working all day. The lock can be used to allow or deny entry, and some locks can be locked in both directions, which allows you to close the door completely. This is particularly beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go out in rainy weather.