Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting, but it is fairly simple to install with the proper instructions. Decide how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's located at belly height). Then, mark this area on your door, and use the template provided to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten that is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and allow it to pass through. Reward it as it passes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to come and go into and out of your home as it pleases. This can keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it is getting enough exercise and will also allow it to return inside if it is trapped outside in bad weather. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat in or out, and keep your home safe by letting you know when it's gone.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly and the size of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is larger or shorter than the normal, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the markings as an indication, cut out the contour of the flap with the help of a Jigsaw. After cutting the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
The installation of a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. The process can be slightly more complicated if you are required to put it in a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because these doors come in different thicknesses, which can impact the way the holes are cut. This is why we always recommend hiring a professional to carry out the work, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is especially useful for cats that are inside during the winter months while you work.
It is essential to first measure your cat before you begin the installation. It may seem like a straightforward task, but it is important to measure your cat correctly. Otherwise, your pet might find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is relaxed and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and 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 got the measurement of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide where to put the flap. The best option is to position the flap in the middle of your cat's stomach as this will allow them to pass through it without much effort. This will also avoid the flap making a lot of noise as it opens and closes.
It is also important 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 design, which can make fitting a cat flap more difficult as you will need to ensure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the hole needs to be placed and ensure that the template is placed correctly on the door. It is also a good idea to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut an opening in the door panel to install your cat flap before you can install it. This can be a daunting job and it is recommended that you engage a professional to assist you if you do not have the knowledge or skills. You can also read the instructions provided with the kit to discover how to do it right.
You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. In general put the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the stomach for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap without difficulty and make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to get inside or out.
Once you have determined the location where the cat flap needs to be placed, mark this location on the door using a pencil. Next, if your kit has an outline of paper, place it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes in each corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself inside the door made of wood or uPVC if you are confident with a jigsaw. Be sure to not cut into any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. cat flap glass door installation near me can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square depending on the design of your cat flap. Remember to take your time and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is made and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap of cat food into its new home and make sure that it's securely secured. If the flap has screws put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut and then seal any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your cat has become comfortable walking through the flap, it will be in a position to move as it pleases. This allows you to let it in and out at any time it wishes.
It is possible to fit a cat flap into an UPVC or glass door although this may not be as simple as fitting it into a wooden exterior door due to the fact that UPVC and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This can have a significant impact on how you cut the hole for the flap, and can also affect whether your flap will fit properly once it's installed.
Depending on the type of cat flap you select, it may come with its own mounting kit as well as a template that shows you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template you can use a photocopier to make your own. When cutting, it's important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too hard so that you don't make a larger hole than necessary in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to put in. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is in the right place on the door. Otherwise, the cat may not be able to access it, and might be locked outside for the entire day (or night).
Some cat flaps come with locks that permit you to manage the time your cat comes and goes. This is useful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They are also useful when you are working all day. The lock can be engaged for entry or exit and some are locked in both directions, allowing you to shut the door completely, which is particularly beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who don't want to go out in rainy weather.