Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing cat flap cover for winter might seem intimidating but it's easy to do by following the correct instructions. Firstly, determine how high you would like the flap to be (on average the belly height). Then, mark this area on the door and then use the template included as a guideline to drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and encourage it to go through. Reward the kitten every time it passes.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent option to let your pet come and go in and out of your home as it wants. This can keep your cat healthy since it will ensure it gets enough exercise and will also allow it to go back inside when it is stranded outside in bad weather. This can reduce the time you spend letting your cat in or out and make your home secure by letting you know when it has left.
However, it is essential that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the entrance to your home in order to ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is larger or shorter than the average, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Using the marking as a guide, take a jigsaw and cut out the form of the flap in the door. After cutting the area out then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. The process is a bit more difficult if you have to put it in the form of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which could affect the way that holes are cut. We always suggest to consult with a professional if this is your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from listening to your pet's meow to let it in or out. This is particularly helpful when you're at work all day and your cat has to stay in the waiting room until you come home regardless of the weather.
It is important to measure your cat first before you begin the installation. It may appear to be a simple task, but it is essential to make sure you measure the right measurements. If not, your cat may find it difficult to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not bending in any way. 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 have your cat's measurements then you can look at the door to determine where to put the flap. A good tip is to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's stomach as this will help them to move through it without too much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot noise as it moves back and back.
It is also important to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall structure. This makes fitting the flap for your cat more difficult since you need to ensure the hole is the right size.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you determine where the opening must be and also make sure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting in a straight line against the door can prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap prior to you can put it in place. It's a challenging job, so it's recommended that you engage a professional to assist you if you don't have the skills or experience. It is also recommended that you consult the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to find out how to do this correctly.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. In general you should place the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the typical height of the belly for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap easily and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you've determined the best location for the cat flap to be located, mark the location on the door using the help of a pencil. Next, if your kit comes with a template for paper, place this over the door and use the markings to drill holes into every corner of the template. Then, you should be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.
You can install your cat flap yourself inside the door made of wood or uPVC when you're confident using the use of a jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut into any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle, depending on how you want it. Make sure to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully fit the flap onto 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 are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming into your home.
Fit 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 on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using a stick or your hand. Once your pet has become accustomed to moving through the flap, it will be able to come and go at will. This lets you let it in and out whenever it wants.
It is possible to fit an animal flap inside an UPVC or glass door although this may not be as simple as fitting it into a wooden external door since UPVC and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This can have a significant impact on how you cut the hole for the flap, and can also affect whether your flap will fit properly once it's been put in place.
Depending on the type of cat flap you pick, it may be equipped with a mounting kit and a template that will show you exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template you can make one by yourself. It is important not to use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so that it doesn't create a larger than needed hole in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular designs, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the correct location on your door as in the event that it's not, the cat will not be able to use the flap and could be left in the open all day (or even at night).
Certain models of cat flaps have locks which allow you to control the time your cat comes and goes. This is useful for pets who are afraid of leaving in the dark or coming back inside at night. They can also be useful if you work all day. Some locks can be used to lock access or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to venture out in cold weather.