Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to put up a cat flap, but with the right instructions, it's not too difficult. Firstly, determine how high you would like the flap to be (on average, belly height). Note this on your door and use the template included to help you drill.
If you have a kitten that is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to pass through. Reward the kitten as it passes.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a wonderful way to allow your pet to leave and come inside and out of your house as it likes. This will help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is exercising as well as being able to come back inside if stuck outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. It can also cut down on the amount of time you have to let it out or in. It can also ensure your home is secure by allowing you to be aware of when it went out.
However, it is important that the cat flap is properly fitted to stop your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly and the entrance to your home to make sure that the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the height of your flap in case your cat is taller or less than average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the centre of the door that you will install the flap. Then, using the mark as a guideline, cut out the shape of the flap on the door with the help of a jigsaw. After cutting the area and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
The installation of a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. The process can be slightly more challenging if you need to put it in the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors are available in a variety of thicknesses, which could affect the way holes are cut. This is why we always recommend hiring an expert to do the work, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of listening to your pet meow to let it in or out. This is especially helpful if you are at work most of the day and your cat is stuck in the waiting room until you come home regardless of the weather.
If you want to fit a cat flap in your door it is important that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. While it may seem to be a simple task, it is crucial to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will find it difficult to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not feeling anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. You can get an accurate measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide where to put the flap. The best option is to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's stomach as it will allow them to pass through it with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap from making too much noise as it moves back and forth.
You must take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. Although timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall construction, which can make fitting the cat flap more difficult as you will need to ensure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile reading through the directions that come with the kit to find a template drawing that can be used to determine the position of the hole in the door. This will help you to see the location where the opening should be and make sure 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 in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make an opening in the door panel for your cat flap before you can install it. This can be a daunting job and it is recommended that you get a professional help you if you lack the expertise or experience. You can also read the instructions that come in the kit to find out how to do it right.
You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. A good guideline is to put the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters off the ground, as this is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap without difficulty and will make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to get inside or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using pencil. If your kit comes with an outline put it on top of the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at each corner. You should then be able 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 it yourself if are comfortable with using a Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient, and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the flap of cat food into its new home and ensure that it is firmly secured. If the flap has screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will stop draughts from entering your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the front of the door. cat flap step can also try pushing the cat with sticks or your hand. Once your cat has become accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be in a position to move whenever it wants. This lets you let it in and out whenever it wants.
It is possible to fit an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, however it's not as simple as putting one on a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that UPVC doors and some types of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This could have an enormous impact on how you cut out the flap's hole and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
Depending on the type of cat flap you pick It may come with its own mounting kit as well as a template that will tell exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't include an example you can copy it to make your own. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw hard so that you don't make a larger hole than you need in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are also some which are circular and these are typically more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is in the right place on your door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able to use it, and could be outside all day (or night).
Some cat flaps have locks that allow you to control the time your cat is allowed to enter and leave. They are helpful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark or returning in the dark. They are also useful for those who work all day. Certain locks can be used for either access or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to venture out in cold weather.