Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to set up a cat flap however, with the proper guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, determine the height you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on the door and then use the template included as a guideline to drill.
If you have a small kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually push it to go through. Reward it when it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent option to let your pet move into and out of your home whenever it pleases. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise as well as being able to go back in if left outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat out or in and also make your home safe by letting you know when it's left.
It is important to ensure that the cat flap is set up correctly to stop your pet from being forced through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly and the height of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the right height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the normal, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Utilizing the marking as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap within the door. After cutting the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
The installation of a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. The process is slightly more difficult if you have to put it in the form of a uPVC door or a composite one. helpful resources is due to the fact that these doors come in different thicknesses, which could affect the way the holes are cut. This is the reason we recommend calling an expert to do the job, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of listening to the cat's meows to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful when you're at work most of the day and your cat is in the house waiting for you to get home regardless of the weather.
It is crucial to measure your cat first before attempting to install. It might appear to be a simple task, but it's crucial to get the measurements right. Otherwise, your pet might find it difficult to use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to hold them in a position where they are not able to move, and make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any place. Keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the base of their tail will allow you to get an exact measurement.
Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide on where to put the flap. A good tip is to position the flap in the middle of your cat's belly as it will allow them to get through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making lots of noise when it swings open and closed.
You should think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While all timber doors have the same thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This makes the process of putting in the flap for your cat more difficult since you need to ensure the hole is the proper size.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole on the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole should be located and ensure that the template is placed properly on the door. Using a spirit level to check that the template is right against the door will prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll need to cut the door panel in order to make a space big enough for it. It's a challenging task so it's recommended you get a professional help you if you lack the expertise or experience. It is also recommended that you read the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do this correctly.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. As a general rule put the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the stomach for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap with ease and make it more difficult for other cats or nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Once you've determined the best location for the cat flap to be positioned, mark this location on the door using pencil. If your kit includes an outline, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes in each corner. You will then be able to cut out the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself in an uPVC or wood door if you are confident using the use of a Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle depending on the way you'd like to cut it. Take your time and don't try to try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
After the hole has been made, carefully place the cat flap into its new home. Make sure it's firmly secured. If the flap has screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent draughts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet to go through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. You can also push the cat with the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap it will be able to move into and out as it wants, so you can let it out and in without holding the door open for it all day (and likely in any weather).
It is possible to fit an animal flap into the UPVC doors or glass door, but it might not be as simple as installing one in a wooden external door. This is because UPVC doors and some types of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut the flap hole and also whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
The mounting kit may contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template you can make one by yourself. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw to the point that you create a bigger hole than you need in your door.
Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, however there are also some which are circular, and they are usually 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, the cat will not be able to use the flap and may be stuck out in the sun all day (or even at night).
Some cat flaps have locks that allow you to regulate when your cat can enter and leave. These are useful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark or returning in the dark. They can also be useful if you work all day. Certain locks can be used for either access or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is useful for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.