Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to install a cat flap, but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Find out how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's at belly height). Then, mark this area on the door and use the template provided as a guideline to drill.
If window cat flap have a young kitten, prop the door open a bit and gradually push it to go through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a great option to allow your pet to leave and come in and out of your house as it wants. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by ensuring that it is exercising as well as being able to get back inside if left outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. This will cut down on the time you have to let your cat go in and out and also make your home safe by notifying you when it has left.
However, it is important that the flap for your cat 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 and the size of the doorway in your home to ensure the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the height of your flap if your cat is taller or less than the average.
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 shape of your flap on the door with the help of a Jigsaw. After cutting the area out and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take longer than two hours. However, the process can be a bit more difficult when you have to install it into a uPVC or composite door as these doors have an array of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. We always suggest to consult with an expert when this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of hearing your pet's cries to let it in or out. This is especially useful for cats that are inside in all weathers while you are at work.
If you're planning to put a cat flap in your door, it is crucial to measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might seem like an easy task, it is crucial to measure the right way or your cat will be unable to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they are not able to move, and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not arching in any places. find more information 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 figured out the measurements of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide on where you want to place the flap. It is advisable to position the flap at the height of your cat's belly because this will allow them to move through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it opens and closes.
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 to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This could make the process of fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult as you must ensure that the hole is the right size.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole on the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole must be located and ensure that the template is set properly on the door. It is also beneficial to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap, you'll have to cut the door panel to create a space large enough for it. This can be a daunting task so it's recommended you get a professional assist you if you do not have the expertise or experience. You can also consult the instructions included in the kit to find out how to do it correctly.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. A good guideline is to put the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters off the ground, as this is the typical belly height for cats. This way your cat will be able to move through the flap comfortably and it will also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping a tough time trying to enter or leave.
Once you've determined the best location for the cat flap to be placed, mark this position on the door with pencil. Next, if your kit includes an outline of paper, place it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes into every corner of the template. You should 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 an entryway made of wood or uPVC, it is possible to do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle the jigsaw. Be sure to not cut into any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square depending on the way you want it. Be patient, and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the flap onto its new location and make sure that it's securely secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by putting a little bit of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is used 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 having to be there to open the door for it all day (and potentially in all weathers).
You can install a cat flap into the UPVC or glass doors but it's not exactly the same as fitting it into a wooden external door since the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This can have a significant impact on the way you cut the hole for the flap and will also affect whether the flap is fitted correctly after it has been installed.
Depending on the type of cat flap you choose It may be equipped with a mounting kit as well as a template that shows you exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit does not include a template you can create one by yourself. When cutting, it is important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too hard so that you don't create a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape but there are some that are circular, and are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the right position on your door, because if it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and could be stranded outside all day (or even night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you determine when your cat can enter and leave. These are very helpful when you're worried about your cat going out at night only to come back in the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. Certain locks can be used for either access or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for older cats or sick cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.