Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to put up a cat flap but with the right instructions it's not that hard. First, decide how high you would like the flap to be (on average, belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and use the template included as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten that is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to pass through. Reward the kitten each time it moves through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent option to allow your pet to leave and come in and out of your house as it likes. This can help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it gets exercise as well as being able to come back in if stuck outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat out or in, and keep your home safe by notifying you when it's gone.
However, it is important that the flap for your cat is correctly fitted 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 as well as the height of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the height of your flap if your cat is taller or smaller than the average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guideline, you can use the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap inside the door. After you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are needed.
The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as difficult as you may think and it should not take more than two hours to finish the entire process from beginning to the end. The process is slightly more challenging if you need to install it in a uPVC door or a composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors come in different thicknesses, which can affect the way the holes are cut. We recommend to consult with an expert if this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of ignoring the pet meow to be let in or out. This is especially helpful when your cat is inside in all weathers when you are at work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on your door, it is essential to determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. Although replacement upvc door panel with cat flap might seem like to be a simple task, it is crucial to get the measurement right or your cat will be unable to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is relaxed and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place where they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. You can get a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've got 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 in the middle of your cat's stomach as this will allow them to get through it without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making too much noise when it swings back and forth.
You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall construction and can make fitting a cat flap more difficult because you must ensure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the opening on the door. This will allow you to determine where the opening must be and also make sure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also a good idea to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is placed perfectly against the door.
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. This can be a challenging job and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service for this job in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. You can also read the instructions included in the kit to find out how to do it correctly.
You can consider the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. In general, place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap without difficulty and make it more difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to get inside or out.
Once you've decided where the cat flap should be positioned, mark this location on the door using the help of a pencil. If your kit has a paper template, lay it over the door and use the markings to drill holes into every corner of the template. You will then be able to cut the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself in an uPVC or wood door If you're comfortable with the use of a jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut through any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle according to the way you'd like it. Take your time, and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure it is firmly secured. If the flap has screws put them on the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to go through by putting a small amount of cat food in front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hand or a stick. Once your cat has become used to walking through the flap it will be able to come and go at will. This lets you let it in and out whenever it wishes.
It is possible to fit a cat flap into a UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a wood external door since UPVC and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on how you cut the opening for the flap and could affect the way your flap is fitted correctly after it has been installed.
Depending on replacement upvc door panel with cat flap of cat flap you pick It could include a mounting kit as well as a template that will show precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not come with a template, you can create one on your own. When cutting, it is important to not push the jigsaw far enough to create a larger hole than you need in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are also some which are circular, and they are usually more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is located in the right place on the door. If not, your cat might not be able use it, and might be outside all day (or night).
Some cat flaps have locks that let you manage when your cat comes in and goes. They can be extremely useful if you're worried about your pet going out at night only to come back in due to the darkness, or if you're working all day. Certain locks can be used for entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for sick or older cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.