Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to set up a cat flap but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Find out how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at the belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the template provided to guide you when drilling.
If you have a small kitten you can prop the door slightly open and gradually allow it to pass through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a wonderful way to let your pet leave and come into and out of your home whenever it likes. This can help keep your cat healthy since it will ensure it gets enough exercise and also be able to go back inside when it is trapped in the elements during bad weather. This will cut down on the time you spend letting your cat go in and out and also make your home safer 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. If your cat is a little longer or taller than the average, you can alter the flap's position by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the center of the door where you will install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap in the door. Once you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes needed.
The process of installing a cat flap is not as difficult as you think and it should not take more than two hours to finish the entire task from start to finish. However, the process can be a bit more difficult in the event that you have to put it inside the door of a uPVC or composite door as these doors come in various thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. We always suggest to contact a professional when this is your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from hearing your pet's cries to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful if you are at work most of the day and your cat is stuck in the waiting room until you come home in all weathers.
If you want to fit a cat flap on your door, it is crucial to take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. It may seem like a straightforward task, but it is essential to make sure you measure the right measurements. Otherwise, your pet may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a manner that they are not able to move, and ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body, not bending in any way. You can get a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've got 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 go through the door with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap making lots of noise when it swings open and closed.
You must 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 may differ in their overall design. This makes the process of putting in an enclosure for your cat more difficult as you must ensure that the hole is the proper size.
It is also worth studying the instructions included with the kit to find an illustration template that can be used to mark out the location of the hole inside the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole needs to be placed and ensure that the template is set properly on the door. Using a spirit-level to ensure that the template is right against the door will be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll have to cut the door's panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This is a difficult job, and it is recommended to get help from an expert cat flap fitter for this step should you not have the skills or experience to complete the task yourself. You can also consult the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do it correctly.
To do this, you will need to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as an indication point. A good rule of thumb is to put the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is the typical belly height for cats. This way your cat can move through the flap with ease and also give any other cats or curious neighbours a tough time trying to get in or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door using the pencil. Then, if your kit has a paper template, lay this over the door and use the marks to drill holes into each corner of the template. You should 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 inside the door made of wood or uPVC If you're comfortable with a Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Remember to take cat flap cover for winter and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the cat flap into its new home and make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed smooth the edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop the entry of draughts into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by placing a small amount of cat food in front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hands or a stick. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap it is likely to be able in and out as it pleases, so you can let it out or in without having to be there to open the door for it all day (and possibly in any weather).
It is possible to put an animal flap into the UPVC doors or glass door, however it might not be as easy as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is because the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the hole for the flap, and will also affect whether the flap will fit properly once it's been put in place.
Based on the type of cat flap you pick It could be equipped with a mounting kit and template that will show precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can create one on your own. It's important not to press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't create a larger than needed hole in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are also some which are circular and these are usually more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is in the correct spot on your door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to access it, and could be outside all day (or night).
Some cat flaps come with locks that permit you to control when your cat comes in and goes. These are useful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back in the dark. They are also useful when you are working all day. The lock can be turned on for entry or exit and some are locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely. This is particularly beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who don't want to go out in the rain.