Fitting a Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may appear daunting but it's easy to do by following the correct instructions. Determine how high you would like your cat flap to be (normally it's at the belly height). Note this 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 when it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent option to allow your pet to come and go in and out of your home whenever it likes. This will keep your cat in good health as it ensures that it is getting enough exercise and be able to return inside if it is stranded in the elements during bad weather. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat in or out and make your home safe by notifying you when it's left.
It is important to ensure 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 width of the doorway at your home to ensure the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the position of your flap if your cat is taller or smaller than the average.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the mark as a guideline, cut out the contour of the flap using the aid of a Jigsaw. After cutting the flap, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as difficult as you think and it should not take more than two hours to complete the entire task from start to finish. The process is a bit more complicated if you are required to install it in the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors are available in a variety of thicknesses, which can affect the way the holes are cut. We always recommend to consult with an expert for your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from listening to your pet's meow for you to let it 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 regardless of the weather.
It is essential to measure your cat first before attempting to install. Although it might seem like to be a simple task, it is crucial to measure the right way or your cat may find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is relaxed and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You will need to hold them in a manner that they cannot move and also ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not arching in any places. You can take a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide where to place the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and closed.
You should consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This makes fitting the flap for your cat more difficult as you must ensure that the hole is the proper size.
It is also worthwhile reading through the directions included with the kit to locate an illustration template that can be used to mark out the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole should be located and ensure that the template is set precisely on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to make sure that the template is sitting right against the door will also prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make an opening in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can attach it. This can be a challenging job and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter for this job should you not have the skills or experience to do it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions that come with the kit to discover how to do it correctly.
You can use the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. In general put the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the typical height of the stomach for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap without difficulty and make it more difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to get inside or out.
Once you've determined the location where the cat flap needs to be located, mark the position on the door with the help of a pencil. If your kit has an outline, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at every corner. You will then be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap inside the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, it is possible to do this yourself if you are confident enough to use using a jigsaw. Be careful not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle, depending on how you want it. Take your time, and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been cut then carefully insert the flap of cat food into its new location and make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by putting a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat has become accustomed to moving through the flap, it will be able to come and go at will. This will allow you to let it in and out at any time it's wanted.
It is possible to install an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, but it's not as simple as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because UPVC doors and some types of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This could have a significant impact on how you cut the hole for the flap and could affect the way your flap fits correctly once it's been put in place.
Based on the type of cat flap you choose It could include a mounting kit and template that will show precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not come with a template, you can create one by yourself. It is important not to press 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 are more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the right location on your door as if it's not, your cat can't use it and could be stranded out in the sun all day (or even at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to control the time your cat can enter and leave. These are very helpful if you're concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be engaged to allow entry or exit, and some locks can be locked in both directions, permitting you to close the door completely, which is especially helpful for sick or elderly cats who aren't willing to go out in bad weather.