Fitting a Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may seem intimidating, but it is fairly simple to install with the right instructions. First, determine the height you want the cat flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on your door and use the included template to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten, prop the door open very slightly and gradually allow it to pass through. Reward the kitten as it moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This will help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is exercising as well as being able to come back in if it is left outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. This will cut down on the time you have to let your cat out or in and make your home safer by letting you know when it has left.
It is important to ensure that the cat flap is placed correctly to stop your pet from being pushed through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway to your home in order to make sure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is a little longer or taller than the average, you can alter the position of the flap by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the centre of the door, where you will be installing the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the contour of the flap on the door with the help of a jigsaw. After you've cut the flap then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as complicated as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire job from start to completion. The process is slightly more challenging if you need to install it in a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors come in different thicknesses, which can impact the way holes are cut. We always recommend to contact an expert when this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of listening to the pet meow to be let in or out. This is particularly useful for those who working all day and your cat is in the waiting room until you come home in any weather.
If you want to fit a cat flap on your door it is important that you take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. It may appear to be a simple task, but it is essential to get the measurements right. If not, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place where they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. Keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail can allow you to determine an accurate measurement.
Once you have your cat's measurements then you can examine the door to determine where to put the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap making a lot of noise as it swings open and closed.
You should consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall design. This could make the process of the process of putting in the flap for your cat more difficult as you must ensure that the hole is the right size.
It is also worth looking through the instructions included with the cat flap kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to mark out the location of the hole inside the door. This will help you to determine where the opening must be, and also to make sure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to make sure that the template is flush against the door will prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you need to cut the door panel in order to make it large enough for it. This can be a tricky job, and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter to complete this task if you don't have the skills or experience to tackle it yourself. It is also recommended that you review the directions that come with the kit to find out how to do this properly.
To do this, you will need to take a measurement of the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use that as a reference point. A good guideline is to put the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This way your cat will be able to go through the flap with ease and also give any other cats or curious neighbours a tough time trying to get in or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door using pencil. If your kit has a template, place it over the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you should be able to cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap inside the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if you are confident enough to use the Jigsaw. Be careful 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 a circle depending on the way you'd like to cut it. Make sure to take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is cut then carefully insert the cat flap into its new home and ensure that it's securely fixed. If the flap has screws put them on the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed then sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to use it by putting a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hands or with a stick. Once your pet has become comfortable walking through the flap it will be in a position to move whenever it wants. This allows you to let it in and out at any time it wishes.
You can fit an animal flap inside the UPVC or glass doors but it's not as simple as fitting one into a timber external door since the UPVC doors and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. upvc door panel with cat flap could affect how you cut the opening for the flap and will also affect whether the flap fits correctly once it's been put in place.
Based on the type of cat flap you select It may be equipped with a mounting kit as well as a template that shows precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include the template you can use a photocopier to make your own. It's important to not use the jigsaw to in order to cut, so it doesn't make a larger than necessary hole in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular designs, which are more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the right position on your door because if it's not, your cat can't use it and may be stuck out in the sun all day (or even night).
Some cat flaps have locks that let you control the time your cat is allowed to enter and leave. This is useful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark or coming back in the dark. They can also be useful if you 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 aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.