Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might 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). Note this on your door and then use the included template to help you drill.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten hold the door open a bit and gradually push it to pass through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a wonderful option to let your pet come and go into and out of your home whenever it pleases. This can help keep your cat healthy as it will ensure that it gets enough exercise and will also allow it to return inside if it is trapped in the elements during bad weather. It can also reduce the amount of time you have to spend letting it out or in and can protect your home by allowing you to know when it's been out.
It is crucial to make sure that the cat flap is set up correctly in order to prevent your pet from being pushed through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's belly and the width of the doorway at 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 with the help of a jigsaw. Once you have cut out the door, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes that are required.
The process of installing the cat flap isn't as difficult as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire job from start to the end. However, the process could be a little more complicated when you have to install it onto the door of a uPVC or composite door as these doors have an array of thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. This is why we recommend hiring a professional to carry out the task, especially in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of ignoring the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful when you're at working all day and your cat is stuck inside waiting until you get home in all weathers.
If you are planning to install a cat flap inside your door, it is essential that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. While it may seem a simple operation it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your cat may find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm and not feeling anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. You can take a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you have your cat's measurement and measurements, you need to look at the door to decide where to place the flap. cat flap insulation at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap from making lots of noise when it swings open and closed.
You should also consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall structure and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult as you will need to make sure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you to see the location where the opening should be, and also to make sure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. Using a spirit level to check that the template is right against the door will also prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you need to cut the door panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This can be a challenging job, and it is recommended to seek the help of a professional cat flap fitter to complete this task in case you don't have the skills or experience to complete the task yourself. You can also refer to the instructions that come with the kit to discover how to do it right.
You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. In general put the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the belly for cats. This way, your cat will be able to go through the flap with ease and also give other cats or snooping neighbours an issue when trying to leave or enter.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using pencil. If your kit has an outline, place it over the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. Then, you should be able cut out the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door If you're comfortable using the jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut into any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle depending on the way you want it. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the flap of cat food into its new home and ensure that it is securely fixed. If cat flap installation cost has screws then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut then seal any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into your home.
Install 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. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap, it is likely to be able in and out as it wishes so you can let it out and in without holding the door open to allow it in all day (and likely in all weathers).
You can install an animal flap inside an UPVC or glass door however it's not as simple as fitting one into a timber external door since UPVC and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can have a major impact on how you cut the flap's hole, and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
The mounting kit could contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to make one on your own. When cutting, it's important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too to the point that you make a larger hole than you need in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the right location on your door as if it's not, your cat won't be able to use it and could be stranded out in the sun all day (or even night).
Certain models of cat flaps come with locks that permit you to manage when your cat comes and goes. These are very helpful in the event that you are concerned about your cat going out at night and then coming back in because of the darkness, or you're working all day. Certain locks can be used for either entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for sick or older cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.