Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to install a cat flap however, with the proper guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, decide how high you want the flap to be (on average, belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the template included to help you drill.
If you have a young kitten, prop the door open very slightly and gradually allow it to go through. Reward it as it passes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a wonderful way to let your pet come and go into and out of your house as it wants. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise and also being able to come back in if it is left outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. It can also cut down on the amount of time you need to allow it out or in and will also help protect your home by allowing you to know when it has gone out.
It is crucial to make sure that the cat flap is placed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure the height of your pet's belly and the doorway of your house to ensure that the flap is at the right height. You can alter the height of your flap when your cat is smaller or taller than the average.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the center of the door where you will put the flap. With the markings as a reference, use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap within the door. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are required.
The process of installing a cat flap isn't as complicated as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to finish the entire job from start to finish. However, the process may be a bit more difficult when you have to install it inside the frame of a uPVC or composite door because these doors have an array of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. This is why we recommend hiring a professional to complete the work, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of listening to your pet's meow to let it in or out. This is especially helpful for cats that are inside in all weathers while you are at work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on your door, it is crucial to measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might seem like a simple operation it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your cat may find it very difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any way. Holding the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the tip of their tail will allow you to determine an accurate measurement.
Once you have the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide on where you want to place the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door with minimal effort. This will also avoid the flap making lots of noise when it swings open and shut.
You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall structure. This makes fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is the proper size.
It is also worthwhile studying the instructions included with the cat flap kit to locate an illustration template that can be used to determine the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the opening needs to be and also ensure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Using cat flap installer to ensure that the template is in a straight line against the door will be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can put it in place. This can be a challenging job and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitter to complete this task in case you don't have the skills or experience to tackle it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do it correctly.
To do this, you will need to determine the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as an indicator point. In general you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average height of the stomach for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap easily and make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you've decided where the cat flap should be located, mark the position on the door with pencil. If your kit has an outline of paper, place it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes in each corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the template and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle using a Jigsaw. Be sure not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap onto its new location and make sure that it is firmly secured. If it features caps on the screws, then place these caps onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut and then seal any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with sticks or your hand. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be able to move into and out as it pleases, so you can let it out or in without having to be there to open the door for it throughout the day (and likely in any weather).
It is possible to fit the flap onto a UPVC or glass door but it's not as simple as fitting one into a wood exterior door due to the fact that UPVC and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could affect how you cut the hole for the flap and will also affect whether the flap fits correctly once it's been put in place.
The mounting kit could include a template that shows you where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to create one yourself. It's important not to press the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't make a larger than necessary hole in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are some that are circular, and are typically more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is in the correct place on the door. If not, your cat might not be able to use it, and may be outside all day (or at night).
Some models of cat flap have locks which permit you to control the time your cat comes and goes. These are very helpful if you're worried about your cat going out at night and then coming back in due to the darkness, or if you're at work all day. The lock can be used to allow or deny entry, and some locks can be locked in either direction allowing you to shut the door completely, which is especially beneficial for older or ill cats who don't want to go out in bad weather.