Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might seem intimidating, but it is fairly simple with the right instructions. Find out how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's at the belly height). Note this on the door and use the template as a guide to drill.
If you have a young kitten hold the door slightly open and gradually push it to pass through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a wonderful way to let your pet move into and out of your house as it wants. This can help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it gets exercise and also being able to go back in if it is trapped outside in bad weather, especially in winter. It can also reduce the amount of time you have to let it out or in. It will also help keep your home safe by letting you be aware of when it went out.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is set up correctly in order to prevent 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 size of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. You can alter the height of your flap in case your cat is smaller or taller than average.
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. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap within the door. After you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes required.
The process of installing the cat flap isn't as difficult as you may believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire process from beginning to finish. doors with cat flap is a bit more complicated if you are required to install it in the form of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors are available in various thicknesses, which can affect the way that holes are cut. This is why we always recommend hiring a professional to complete the job, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of listening to the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful for cats that are in the house during all seasons when you are at work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on your door, it is essential that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. It might seem like a simple task, but it's crucial to get the measurements right. Otherwise, your pet might find it difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm before taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a manner that they cannot move and ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body, not bending in any place. 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's body, it's time to look at the door and decide where to put the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot noise as it swings back and forth.
It is also important to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This makes fitting the flap for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is of the correct size.
It is also worthwhile studying the instructions included with the cat flap kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark out the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine the location where the opening should be and also make sure the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also helpful to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template sits in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can put it in place. This can be a challenging job, and it is recommended that you get help from a professional cat flap fitter for this step in case you don't have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the kit to discover how to do this properly.
To do this you need to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly. Use this as a reference point. As a general rule you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the typical height of the belly for cats. additional reading will allow your cat to pass through the flap easily and will make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbors to get in or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. If your kit comes with a template, place it over the door. Use doors with cat flap on the template to drill holes in each corner. You should then be able cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap inside an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if you are comfortable with using a jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square depending on the way you'd like it. Remember to take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure it's firmly secured. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent draughts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to go through by putting a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hand or a stick. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it is likely to be able in and out as it wants so you can let it out and in without having to be there keeping the door open for it all day (and potentially in all weather conditions).
It is possible to install the flap inside the UPVC doors or glass door, however it may not be as simple as putting one inside a wooden exterior door. This is due to the fact that the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This can have a major impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole and whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
The mounting kit may contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can make one yourself. It's important to not press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't leave a bigger than necessary hole in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape but there are also some which are circular, and they are usually more difficult to place. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is located in the correct spot on your door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able use it, and may be stuck outside the whole day (or night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that let you determine when your cat is allowed to enter and leave. These are useful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark or returning inside at night. They can also be useful for those who work all day. Some locks can be used to lock entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for older cats or sick cats who do not want to venture out in cold weather.