Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to set up the flap for your cat, but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Decide how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Then, mark this area on your door, and use the template provided to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to pass through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at the time that is convenient for you. This can keep your cat healthy since it will ensure that it gets enough exercise and also be able to go back inside when it gets trapped outside in bad weather. It can also reduce the amount of time you have to let it out or in. It can protect your home by letting you know when it has gone out.
It is important to ensure that the cat flap is set up correctly to stop your pet from being forced through through it by 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 ensure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the normal, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the center of the door that you will be installing the flap. Then, using the marks as an indication, cut out the form of your flap using the aid of a Jigsaw. After you have cut the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
Fitting a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. The process is a bit more complicated if you are required to install it in the form of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because these doors come in different thicknesses, which could affect the way the holes are cut. This is why we recommend hiring an expert to do the job, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of listening to the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is especially useful when your cat is inside during the winter months while you work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap inside your door it is important that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. It might seem like a simple task, but it is essential to measure your cat correctly. If not, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail can allow you to make an precise measurement.
Once you've got your cat's measurements and measurements, you need to look at the door to decide the best place to place the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to walk through the door with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise as it swings back and forth.
You will need to take into consideration 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 construction and this can make the installation of the cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole on the door. This will help you determine where the hole needs to be located and make sure that the template is positioned precisely on the door. It is also beneficial to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template sits perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll must cut the door's panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. It can be a difficult job so it's recommended you hire a professional to assist you if you don't have the skills or experience. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the kit to discover how to do it correctly.
To do this, you have to measure the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as a reference point. A good rule of thumb is to place the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters away from the ground since this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you've decided the best location for the cat flap to be positioned, mark this location on the door using pencil. If your kit has an outline you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you should be able cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself in the door made of wood or uPVC when you're confident using the Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut through any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or a circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Remember to take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the flap onto its new home and make sure that it is securely fixed. If it features screw caps, then push these caps onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut and then seal any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to go through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the front of the door. Alternately, cat flap installation cost can push the cat through with your hands or a stick. Once your cat has become accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap as it pleases. This allows you to let it in and out whenever it's wanted.
It is possible to put an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, however it's not as simple as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because UPVC doors and some types of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This can affect the way you cut the opening for the flap and can also affect whether your flap will fit properly once it's installed.
Depending on the type of cat flap you pick, it may be equipped with a mounting kit and a template that shows exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with a template you can copy it to create your own. It's important not to use the jigsaw to in order to cut, so it doesn't leave a bigger than needed hole in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure the hole is located in the right place on your door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able use it, and may be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Some cat flaps have locks that let you control the time your cat is allowed to enter and leave. These are useful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark or coming back to the house at night. They can also be useful when you are working all day. The lock can be turned on to allow entry or exit, and some are locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely, which is particularly beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go out in rainy weather.