Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting, but it is fairly easy to do with the proper instructions. Find out how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally it's at belly height). Note this on the door and then use the template included as a guide to drill.
If you have a young kitten hold the door open very slightly and gradually allow it to enter. Reward the kitten every time it passes.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to go in and out of your home at any time. This will help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it gets exercise and also being able to go back inside if stuck outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you have to allow it in or out and can ensure your home is secure by allowing you to know when it's been out.
However, it is essential that the flap for your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the width of the doorway at your home to ensure that 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 height by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guideline, you can use a jigsaw and cut out the form of the flap in the door. Once you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes required.
The installation of a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process is slightly more challenging if you need to put it in the form of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because composite doors are available in various thicknesses, which can affect the way holes are cut. We always suggest to contact an expert for your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful if you are at working all day and your cat is stuck inside waiting until you get home in any weather.
It is important to measure your cat first before you begin the installation. Although it might seem like a simple operation it is essential to make sure you measure correctly or your pet will find it very difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to hold them in a position where they cannot move and ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not arching in any places. Keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail will enable you to make an accurate measurement.
Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where you want to place the flap. A good tip is to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly as it will allow them to pass through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise when it swings back and forward.
You will need to think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. Although timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall construction and this can make the installation of a cat flap more complicated since you have to make sure that the hole you make is the proper 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 to determine the location where the opening should be, and also to make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting right against the door will prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut a hole in the door panel for your cat flap prior to you can install it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter for this job if you don't have the knowledge or skills to tackle it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions provided with the kit to learn how to do it right.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. In general you should place the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the belly for cats. This way, your cat can move through the flap comfortably and also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping difficult time trying to get in or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap 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 every corner. Then, you'll be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if you are comfortable with 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 square or circle according to the design of your cat flap. Take your time, and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been made, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure it is firmly secured. If the flap has screws then push them into the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a little bit of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also push the cat with sticks or your hand. Once your pet has become accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be in a position to move as it pleases. This lets you let it in and out as it wishes.
It is possible to put the flap inside a UPVC door or a glass door, however it may not be as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is due to the fact that UPVC doors and some types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut the flap hole and also whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
The mounting kit could include a template that shows you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with an example you can copy it to make your own. It is important not to push the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't create a larger than needed hole in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular designs, 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 position on your door because if it's not, your cat won't be able to use it and may be stuck in the open all day (or even at night).
Certain models of cat flaps have locks which allow you to manage when your cat comes and goes. They are helpful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark or returning to the house at night. They can also be helpful if you 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 elderly cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.