Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might be a bit daunting but it's simple by following the correct instructions. Determine how high you would like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Mark this point on the door, and use the template included as a guideline to drill.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten, prop the door slightly open and gradually allow it to pass through. Reward it as it passes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to leave and come into and out of your home as it wants. This can help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it gets exercise as well as being able to get back in if trapped outside in bad weather, particularly during the winter. This will reduce the amount of time you have to let your cat in or out and make your home safe by notifying you when it has left.
However, it is essential that the flap on your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly and the size of the doorway in your home to make sure the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the height of your flap when your cat is smaller or taller than average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Then, using the marks as an indication, cut out the form of the flap with the aid of a Jigsaw. After you have cut the area, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
The installation of a cat flap should not take more than two hours. cat flap cover for winter can be slightly more difficult if you have to install it in the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because these doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which can impact the way holes are cut. We always recommend to contact an expert for your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of hearing your pet's cries to let it in or out. cat flap cover for winter is especially helpful when you're at work most of the day and your cat is stuck inside waiting until you get home regardless of the weather.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on your door it is important that you measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will find it difficult to use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep them in a way that they are not able to move, and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not bending in any way. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the base of their tail will enable you to make an precise measurement.
Once you've determined your cat's measurements and measurements, you need to look at the door to decide where to place the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot of noise when it swings back and forth.
You must consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall design. This can make the process of putting in an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you must ensure that the hole is of the correct size.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the opening on the door. This will help you determine the location where the opening should be and also ensure that the template is properly placed on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to check that the template is right against the door will prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap before you can put it in place. This is a difficult job and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitter for this job should you not have the knowledge or skills to complete the task yourself. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the kit to find out how to do it correctly.
To do this, you have to take a measurement of the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as an indication point. As a rule of thumb you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the typical height of the stomach for cats. This way, your cat can move through the flap without difficulty and it will also give other cats or snooping neighbours a tough time trying to enter or leave.
Once you've determined where the cat flap should be positioned, mark this location on the door using pencil. If your kit has the template put it on top of the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. You will then be able to cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install the cat flap yourself inside the door made of wood or uPVC if you are confident with the Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or circle according to the design of your cat flap. Remember to take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new home. Make sure it's solidly secured. If it has caps on the screws, then place these onto the screws that protrude. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will stop the entry of draughts into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount cat food on the outside of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through with your hands or with a stick. Once your cat has become comfortable walking through the flap, it will be able to come and go whenever it wants. This allows you to let it in and out whenever it's wanted.
You can fit the flap onto an UPVC or glass door although this may not be quite as straightforward as fitting it into a wooden external door because the UPVC and glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This can have a major impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole, and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
The mounting kit may include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can create one yourself. It is important not to press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't leave a bigger than needed hole in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap it's important to make sure the hole is in the correct position on your door, because if it's not, the cat can't use it and could be stranded in the open all day (or even at night).
cat flap insulation of cat flaps have locks which permit you to manage when your cat comes in and goes. These are useful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark or returning inside at night. They can also be useful when you are working all day. The lock can be engaged to allow or deny entry, and some can be locked in both directions, allowing you to shut the door completely, which is especially beneficial for older or ill cats who aren't keen on going out in the rain.