Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to set up the flap for your cat but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, decide how high you want the flap to be (on average the belly height). Mark this point on your door and use the included template to guide you when drilling.
If you have a small kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually allow it to go through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This can keep your cat healthy as it will ensure that it is exercising regularly and be able to go back inside when it is stranded outside during bad weather. This can reduce the time you spend letting your cat go in and out and also make your home secure by letting you know when it has left.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is set up correctly in order to prevent your pet from being pushed through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway of your house in order to ensure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the position of your flap if your cat is taller or less than the average.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the center of the door that you will install the flap. Then, using the marks as an indication, cut out the contour of your flap with a Jigsaw. Once you have cut out the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes that are needed.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take longer than two hours. However, cat flap installer near me can be slightly more complicated when you have to install it inside the door of a uPVC or composite door because these doors have a wide range of thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed into. This is the reason we recommend hiring a professional to carry out the task, especially if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of listening to your pet's meow for you to let it out or in. This is especially useful if your cat is trapped inside in all weathers when you are at work.
If you want to fit a cat flap on your door, it is essential that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. It may appear to be a simple task, but it is important to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm and not stressed before you take 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 straight and not bent against their body. You can get 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 got the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide where you want to place the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to walk through the door without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot of noise as it swings open and closed.
You must consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While timber doors are all of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall structure and this can make the installation of a cat flap more complicated 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 enable you to determine where the hole should be located and make sure that the template is set properly on the door. It is also a good idea to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template sits in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap, you'll need to cut the door panel in order to make it 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. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do this properly.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. A good rule of thumb is to place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This way, your cat will be able to go through the flap comfortably and will also make other cats or snooping neighbours an issue when trying to enter or leave.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit has a paper template, lay it over the door and use the markings to drill holes into each corner of the template. After that, you'll be able to cut the template and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap inside a door made from wood or uPVC, it is possible to do it yourself if you feel confident enough to handle using a jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle, depending on how you'd like it. Be patient and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the flap onto its new home and ensure that it is securely secured. If the flap has screw caps then push them into the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also push the cat using a stick or your hand. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap, it is likely to be able into and out as it wishes and you should be able to let it out or in without having to be there to open the door for it throughout the day (and likely in all weathers).
You can fit an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door but it's not as simple as fitting one into a timber external door because the UPVC doors and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut out the flap hole and also how well the flap fits after installation.
linked resource site mounting kit could include a template that shows you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can photocopy it to create your own. When cutting, it's crucial to avoid pushing the jigsaw too to the point that you make a larger hole than necessary in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is in the correct place on your door. If not, your cat may not be able to access it, and might be locked outside for the entire day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you determine when your cat enters and leaves. These can be very useful if you're concerned about your cat going out at night and coming back in due to the darkness, or you're at work all day. Certain locks can be used to lock entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for older cats or sick cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.