Fitting a Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may be a bit daunting however it's actually quite easy to do by following the correct instructions. First, determine the height you want the cat flap to be (on average, belly height). Note this on the door and use the template included as a guideline to drill.
If you have a young kitten, prop the door open very slightly and gradually allow it to enter. Reward the kitten each time it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at any time. This can help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is exercising and also being able to get back inside if left outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. This can reduce the time you spend letting your cat out or in and make your home secure by letting you know when it's gone.
However, it is important that the cat flap is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's belly and the size of the doorway at your home to ensure 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 a small amount.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the center of the door that you will put the flap. Then, using the mark as an indication, cut out the shape of your flap using the help of a jigsaw. After you've cut the flap, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
Fitting a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. The process is a bit more difficult if you have to install it on the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because composite doors are available in a variety of thicknesses, which can affect the way the holes are cut. This is why we recommend hiring an expert to do the work, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly useful when you're at working all day and your cat is in the house waiting for you to get home regardless of the weather.
If you are planning to install a cat flap inside your door, it is essential to determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is essential to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is relaxed and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep them in a manner that they cannot move and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not bending in any way. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the bottom of their tail will allow you to get an precise measurement.
Once you have your cat's measurement, it's time to examine the door to decide where to put the flap. It is advisable to place the flap at the height of your cat's stomach as it will allow them to get through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise when it swings back and forth.
It is also important to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are all of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall structure and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult because you must ensure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the opening on the door. This will help you determine where the hole must be located and ensure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Using a spirit-level to ensure that the template is sitting flush against the door will be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut an opening in the door panel to install your cat flap before you can install it. This can be a daunting job, so it's recommended that you hire a professional to help you if you lack the knowledge or skills. It is also recommended that you consult the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to discover how to do it correctly.
To do this you need to determine the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as a reference point. A good guideline is to place the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is approximately the average belly height for cats. Your cat can move through the flap with ease and will also make other cats or snooping neighbours a tough time trying to leave or enter.
Once you've determined the best location for the cat flap to be placed, mark this location on the door using pencil. If your kit comes with 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 to cut the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.
You can put in your cat flap yourself inside the door made of wood or uPVC If you're comfortable with the Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut through any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square, depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.
After the hole has been made, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then seal any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to walk through by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with sticks or your hand. Once your pet is used to moving through the flap, it will be able to move in and out as it wants, so you can let it out or in without holding the door open to allow it in all day (and possibly in all weathers).
It is possible to fit the flap inside the UPVC doors or glass door, however it might not be as easy as installing one in a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole and whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
The mounting kit may include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to make one on your own. It's important to not push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't make a larger than necessary hole in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, make sure that the hole is located in the right place on the door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able to access it, and might be locked outside for the entire day (or at night).
Some cat flaps have locks that permit you to control when your cat comes and goes. mouse click the next internet page is useful for pets who are afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back in the dark. They can also be helpful if you work all day. Certain locks can be used for either entry or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for sick or older cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.