Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might appear daunting but it's simple to install with the proper instructions. Decide how high you'd like the flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Note this on the door, and use the template as a guide to drill.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten, prop the door open very slightly and gradually allow it to go through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at the time that is convenient for you. This will help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it gets exercise and also being able to come back in if it is left outside in bad weather, particularly during the winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you'll have to allow it out or in and will also help ensure your home is secure by allowing you to know when it's been out.
It is important to make sure that the cat flap is installed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway to your home to make sure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the position of your flap in case your cat is taller or smaller than the average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the centre of the door, where you will install the flap. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap in the door. After you have cut the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take longer than two hours. However, the process may be a little more complicated in the event that you have to put it onto the door of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come in a wide range of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and what they are inserted into. We recommend to contact a professional for your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of hearing your pet's cries to let it in or out. This is especially useful for cats that are in the house during all seasons while you are at work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on your door it is important to take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. It might seem like a simple task, but it is essential to get the measurements right. If not, your cat may find it difficult to use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not feeling stressed before you take the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the bottom of their tail will enable you to make an exact measurement.
Once upvc door panel cat flap 've determined your cat's measurements then you can look at the door to decide the best place to place the flap. It is advisable to place the flap at the height of your cat's belly as this will help them to move through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and closed.
You should take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While timber doors are all of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall structure 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 drawing included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will help you to determine the location where the opening should be and make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting flush against the door will also prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll need to cut the door's panel to make it large enough to accommodate it. This can be a daunting job and it is recommended that you engage a professional to assist you if you don't have the expertise or experience. You can also refer to the instructions provided with the kit to learn how to do it correctly.
You can use the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. In general, place the cat flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the typical height of the belly for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap with ease and make it more difficult for other cats and nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Once you have determined the location where the cat flap needs to be located, mark the position on the door with the help of a pencil. Next, if your kit includes an outline of paper, place it over the door and use the marks to drill holes into every corner of the template. You will then be able cut out the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you can do this yourself if you are comfortable with a jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut into 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 want it. Remember to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure that it is solidly secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut then seal any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it should be able to go into and out as it pleases so you can let it out or in without to open the door to allow it in all day (and likely in all weathers).
It is possible to fit the flap onto an UPVC or glass door although this may not be quite as straightforward as fitting it into a wooden external door because UPVC and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on how you cut the flap's hole, and how well the flap fits after installation.
Based on the type of cat flap you choose It may come with its own mounting kit as well as a template that shows you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't include an example you can copy it to create your own. When cutting, it's important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too hard so that you don't make a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which are more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, make sure the hole is located in the correct spot on your door. In upvc cat flap door panels that it is not, the cat might not be able to access it, and could be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you regulate when your cat is allowed to enter and leave. This is useful for pets who are afraid of going out in the dark or returning to the house at night. They can also be useful for those who work all day. Certain locks can be used for entry or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to venture out in cold weather.