Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to set up a cat flap but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, decide how high you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on the door and then use the template as a guideline to drill.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door open very slightly and gradually encourage it to pass through. Reward the kitten every time it moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is an excellent way to allow your pet to move in and out of your home as it wants. This can help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is exercising as well as being able to come back inside if left outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. This will cut down on the time you spend letting your cat out or in and also make your home secure by letting you know when it's left.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is set up properly to stop your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly and the doorway to your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. You can alter the height of your flap if your cat is taller or smaller than average.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door, where you will be installing the flap. Then, using the marks as an outline, cut the shape of the flap on the door with the help of a Jigsaw. After you have cut the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
Fitting a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. The process can be slightly more complicated if you are required to put it in the form of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors are available in different thicknesses, which can affect the way that holes are cut. This is why we recommend calling an expert to do the work, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the cat's meows to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful when you're at work all day and your cat is in the waiting room until you come home regardless of the weather.
If you're planning to put a cat flap in your door it is important to determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. Although it might appear to be a simple operation it is important to measure the right way or your cat may find it very difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place in which they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against the body. You can get an accurate measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you have your cat's measurements then you can examine the door to decide where to place the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot noise as it swings back and forward.
You should consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While timber doors are all of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall structure and can make fitting the 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 included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the hole needs to be located and ensure that the template is set properly on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting right against the door will also be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make an opening in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can install it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitter for this step in case you don't have the skills or experience to complete the task yourself. You can also consult the instructions included with the kit to discover how to do it properly.
You can take the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good rule of thumb is to place the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. This will let your cat pass through the flap with ease and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you have determined where the cat flap should be located, mark the location on the door using a pencil. Next, if your kit includes an outline of paper, place it over the door and use the marks to drill holes in every corner of the template. You will then be able to cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in a door made from wood or uPVC, it is possible to do this yourself if you feel confident enough to handle using a jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut through any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle depending on the way you'd like it. Take your time, and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once cat flap installation cost near me has been cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new home. Make sure it's firmly secured. If it features caps for screws, then put these caps onto the protruding screws. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hand or a stick. Once your pet has become accustomed to walking through the flap it will be in a position to move at will. This will allow you to let it in and out as it wishes.
cat flap cost can install the flap onto an UPVC or glass door but it's not as simple as fitting one into a timber exterior door due to the fact that UPVC and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This can have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the opening for the flap and will also affect whether the flap is fitted correctly after it has installed.
Based on the type of cat flap you choose It could come with its own mounting kit and a template that will show precisely where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template you can create one yourself. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw far enough to create a larger hole than necessary 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 fit. If you have a circular flap, it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the proper position on your door because if it's not, your cat won't be able to use it and could be stranded in the open all day (or even at night).
Some cat flaps have locks that permit you to manage when your cat comes in and goes. These are very helpful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night and coming back in because of the darkness, or you're at work all day. Certain locks can be used to lock entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for sick or older cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.