Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can seem intimidating but it's simple by following the correct instructions. First, decide how high you want the flap to be (on average the belly height). Mark this point on the door and use the template included as a guide to drill.
If you have a kitten that is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to pass through. Reward it when it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a wonderful method to allow your pet to move into and out of your home whenever it pleases. This will help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is exercising as well as being able to go back in if it is left outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This will reduce the amount of time you allow your cat in or out and make your home safe by notifying you when it's left.
However, it is important that the flap on your cat is correctly fitted 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 and the entrance to your home in order to make sure that the flap is at the proper height. You can alter the height of your flap if your cat is taller or less than average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Then, using the mark as an outline, cut the shape of the flap on the door with the aid of a jigsaw. After cutting the area out and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
The process of fitting a cat flap is not as difficult as you may think and it should not take more than two hours to finish the entire job from start to finish. However, the process may be a little more complicated in the event that you have to put it onto the door of a uPVC or composite door as these doors come in various thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and what they are fixed to. This is why we always recommend hiring a professional to complete the job, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of listening to the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful for cats that are inside in all weathers while you work.
It is crucial to measure your cat first before you begin the installation. It may seem like a straightforward task, but it is crucial to measure your cat correctly. Otherwise, your pet may have difficulty putting it in use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is relaxed and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a place in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. 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 the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to take a look at the door and decide on where you want to place the flap. Place 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 when it swings back and back.
You should also think about the thickness and the 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 could make the process of the installation of an enclosure for your cat more difficult as you must ensure that the hole is the right size.
It is also worthwhile studying the instructions that come with the kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to determine the location of the hole in the door. This will help you to see where the opening must be, and also to ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also helpful to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut a hole in the door to accommodate your cat flap prior to you can install it. This is a difficult job and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter for this job should you not have the expertise or knowledge to tackle it yourself. You can also read the instructions included in the kit to find out how to do it properly.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. As a rule of thumb you should place the flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will let your cat pass through the flap easily and make it more difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to get inside or out.
Once you have determined where the cat flap should be located, mark the location on the door using pencil. If your kit includes an outline you can place it on the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at each corner. You will then be able to cut the design of the template 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 are able to do this yourself if you are confident enough to use a jigsaw. Be sure not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square, depending on the design of your cat flap. Take your time, and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new home. Make sure it is solidly secured. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed smooth the edges and seal any gaps. This will stop draughts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also push the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be able to move in and out as it wishes so you can let it out and in without to open the door for it all day (and potentially in all weather conditions).
It is possible to put the flap inside a UPVC door or a glass door, but it may not be as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is because the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut the flap's hole and how well the flap fits after installation.
Depending on the type of cat flap you pick, it may come with its own mounting kit as well as a template that will tell precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not come with a template, you can make one by yourself. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw far enough to create a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to install. If cat flap installation have a circular flap, ensure that the hole is located in the right place on the 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 have locks that let you control the time your cat can enter and leave. These are very helpful in the event that you are worried about your cat going out at night and coming back in the darkness, or you're at work all day. Certain locks can be used for either entry or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for sick or older cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.