Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might appear daunting but it's simple to install by following the correct instructions. Determine how high you would like the flap to be (normally it's at the belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and then use the template provided to guide you when drilling.
If you have a small kitten, prop the door slightly open and gradually encourage it to go through. Reward the kitten each time it moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a wonderful option to let your pet move inside and out of your home as it likes. This can help keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it gets enough exercise and be able to return inside if it gets trapped outside in bad weather. It also can reduce the amount of time you'll have to let it in or out and can also protect your home by allowing you to know when it's been out.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home in order to make sure that the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the height of your flap if your cat is smaller or taller than average.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. With the markings as a guide, take an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap in the door. After you have cut the flap, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. However, the process can be a little more complicated in the event that you have to put it inside a uPVC or composite door since these doors come with various thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. fitting a cat flap in a upvc door is why we always recommend calling a professional to carry out the work, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hearing your pet's cries for you to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful if you are at work most of the day and your cat has to stay in the house waiting for you to get home regardless of the weather.
It is important to measure your cat's measurements first before you attempt the installation. It might seem like a simple task, but it's crucial to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat may find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a way that they cannot move and ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body, 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 precise measurement.
Once you have your cat's measurements, it's time to look at the door to determine where to put the flap. A good tip is to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly because this will allow them to move through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise when it swings back and forth.
You will also need to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall structure and can make fitting a cat flap more difficult because you must make sure the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the position of the opening on the door. This will help you to determine the location where the opening should be and also ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also a good idea to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can attach it. It can be a difficult task so it's recommended you hire a professional to help you if you lack the knowledge or skills. You can also consult the instructions provided with the kit to learn how to do it right.
To do this, you have to determine the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as an indication point. As a general rule, place the cat flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the typical height of the stomach for cats. Your cat will be able to go through the flap comfortably and it will also give any other cats or curious neighbours an issue when trying to leave or enter.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. If your kit comes with the template you can place it on the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. After that, you'll be able to cut out the template and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you can do this yourself if you feel confident enough to handle the jigsaw. Be sure not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or a circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Make sure to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the flap of cat food into its new location and make sure that it is securely fixed. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed then sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent drafts from entering your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to go through it by placing a small amount cat food on the outside of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your cat has become accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap as it pleases. This allows you to let it in and out whenever it wishes.
It is possible to install the flap inside the UPVC doors or glass door, however it's not as simple as installing one in a wooden external door. This is because the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut the flap's hole, and whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
The mounting kit could include a template showing you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with the template you can use a photocopier to create your own. When cutting, it is important to not push the jigsaw hard so that you don't create a larger hole than necessary in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape but there are also some which are circular, and they are generally more difficult to fit. If you have a round flap, make sure the hole is located in the correct spot on your door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able use it, and could be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to determine when your cat can enter and leave. These are useful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They can also be helpful for those who work all day. The lock can be engaged to allow or deny entry, and some can be locked in both directions, permitting you to close the door completely, which is especially helpful for older or ill cats who aren't keen on going out in the rain.