Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might seem intimidating but it's simple to install with the right instructions. First, determine the height you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on the door, and use the template provided as a guideline to drill.
If you have a kitten that is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to pass through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a wonderful method to let your pet move in and out of your house as it pleases. 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 bad weather, particularly during the winter. It can also reduce the amount of time you'll have to let it in or out and can also ensure your home is secure by allowing you to know when it has gone out.
cat flap fitting is crucial that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly as well as the entrance to your home so that you can make sure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is taller or shorter than normal, you can adjust the position of the flap by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a reference, use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap inside the door. After you've cut the area, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes required.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process may be a little more complicated when you have to install it inside the door of a uPVC or composite door as these doors have a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are inserted into. This is the reason we recommend calling an expert to do the job, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful when your cat is inside during the winter months while you are at work.
It is crucial to measure your cat first before you begin the installation. It might appear to be a simple task, but it's important to get the measurements right. Otherwise, your pet may find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to keep them in a way that they cannot move and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape 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 can allow you to make an exact measurement.
Once you have your cat's measurement then you can look at the door to determine the best place to place the flap. It is advisable to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly because this will help them to move through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise as it opens and closes.
You should take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While all timber doors have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This makes fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is the proper size.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. cat flap fitting will allow you to determine where the hole needs to be located and ensure that the template is set properly on the door. It is also beneficial to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is perfectly against the door.
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 daunting job so it's recommended you get a professional help you if you lack the skills or experience. It is also recommended that you review the directions that come with the cat flap kit to discover how to do this correctly.
You can use the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. As a general rule put the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to move through the flap without difficulty and make it more difficult for other cats or naughty neighbors to get in or out.
Once you've determined the best location for the cat flap to be positioned, mark this position on the door with the help of a pencil. If your kit has an outline, place it over the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. You should then be able to cut the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself inside a wood or uPVC door If you're comfortable with the jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut through any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle according to the way you'd like to cut it. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap onto its new location and make sure that it's securely secured. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut and then seal any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to go through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your cat is comfortable walking through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap whenever it wants. This lets you let it in and out at any time it's wanted.
You can fit a cat flap into a UPVC or glass door although this may not be quite as straightforward as fitting one into a timber exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC and glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can have a dramatic effect on how you cut the opening for the flap and can also affect whether your flap will fit properly once it's been put in place.
The mounting kit might contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template you can create one by yourself. When cutting, it is important to not push the jigsaw far enough to create a larger hole than you need in your door.
Some cat flaps are available 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 position on your door, because if it's not, the cat will not be able to use the flap and could be stranded in the open all day (or even night).
Some cat flaps have locks that let you regulate when your cat can enter and leave. They can be extremely useful in the event that you are concerned about your cat going out at night and then coming back in due to the darkness, or you're at work all day. The lock can be turned on for entry or exit and some locks can be locked in either direction allowing you to shut the door completely, which is particularly beneficial for older or ill cats who aren't willing to go out in rainy weather.