Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to install a cat flap however, with the proper guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, determine the height you would like the flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the template provided to guide you when drilling.
If you have a young kitten hold the door open a bit and gradually push it to enter. Reward it as it passes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a wonderful option to allow your pet to leave and come into and out of your home whenever it wants. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by ensuring that it gets exercise as well as being able to come back in if it is trapped outside in bad weather, particularly 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 safer by letting you know when it has left.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly to stop your pet from being pushed through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway of your house to make sure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the position of your flap if your cat is smaller or taller than the average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guideline, you can use an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap within the door. Once you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes that are needed.
The process of installing a cat flap is not as difficult as you may believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to finish the entire job from start to finish. However, the process may be a little more complicated in the event that you have to put it inside the frame of a uPVC or composite door since these doors have an array of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. We recommend to contact a professional when this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hearing your pet's cries for you to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful for those who working all day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home regardless of the weather.
If you are planning to install a cat flap inside your door, it is essential to measure your cat before attempting the task. While it may seem an easy task, it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your pet will be unable to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position that they are unable to move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the base of their tail will allow you to determine an precise measurement.
Once you have the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where to place the flap. A good tip is to position the flap at the height of your cat's belly as this will allow them to get through it with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making too much noise when it swings back and forward.
You should also think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall structure. This makes the installation of a flap for your cat more difficult as you must ensure that the hole is of the correct size.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the location of the opening on the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole should be located and ensure that the template is set precisely on the door. Using a spirit-level to make sure that the template is flush against the door can be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can install it. This is a difficult job, and it is recommended that you seek the help of an expert cat flap fitter for this job in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to complete the task yourself. You can also consult the instructions provided with the kit to discover how to do it right.
You can use the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. A good rule of thumb is to set the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters away from the ground since this is the typical belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap without difficulty and will make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to get inside or out.
Once you've determined where the cat flap should be located, mark the position on the door with a pencil. If your kit comes with an outline put it on top of the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. You should then be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if are confident enough to use 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 circle or square, depending on the design of your cat flap. Remember to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure it is securely secured. If it has caps on the screws, then place these onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also push the cat with sticks or your hand. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap it will be able to move in and out as it pleases and you should be able to let it in or out without keeping the door open to allow it in all day (and potentially in any weather).
You can fit the flap onto the UPVC or glass doors but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a timber exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This can have a dramatic effect on how you cut the opening for the flap and will also affect whether the flap is fitted correctly after it has been put in place.
The mounting kit may include a template that shows you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include an example you can copy it to create your own. When cutting, it's important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too hard so that you don't create a bigger hole than you need in your door.
cat flap fitting are rectangular or square in shape but there are some that are circular and these are usually more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, make sure the hole is in the right place on your door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able use it, and might be locked outside for the entire day (or night).
Some models of cat flap have locks which permit you to regulate when your cat comes in and goes. These are very helpful when you're worried about your cat going out at night and then coming back in because of the darkness, or if you're working all day. Some locks can be used for entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to venture out in cold weather.