Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to set up a cat flap however, with the proper instructions it's not that hard. Determine how high you would like the cat flap (normally it's located at the belly height). Note this on your door and then use the included template to guide you when drilling.
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 walk through. Reward it as it passes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at its convenience. This can help with keeping your cat in good health by ensuring that it gets exercise and also being able to come back inside if left outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This can reduce the time you allow your cat go in and out, and keep your home safer by notifying you when it's left.
It is crucial that the flap on your cat is properly fitted to stop your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any 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 right height. You can adjust the position of your flap if your cat is taller or smaller than the average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door, where you will be installing the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the form of your flap on the door with a jigsaw. After you've cut the area out and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. However, the process can be a little more complicated if you need to fit it into the frame of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come with a wide range of thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and what they are fixed to. We always suggest to consult with a professional for your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful for cats that are inside during the winter months while you work.
If you want to fit a cat flap in your door, it is crucial that you measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might seem like an easy task, it is essential to make sure you measure correctly or your pet will find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a place in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail will allow you to determine an precise measurement.
Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it is time to look at the door and decide where to put the flap. It is advisable to place the flap in the middle of your cat's stomach as this will allow them to move through it without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot noise as it moves back and back.
You will also need to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. Although timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall structure, which can make fitting a cat flap more difficult because you must make sure the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
It is also worth looking through the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to find an illustration template that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the hole needs to be located and ensure that the template is positioned precisely on the door. It is also a good idea to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template sits flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap before you can put it in place. It can be a difficult task so it's recommended you get a professional help you if you lack the expertise or experience. It is also recommended that you consult the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do this correctly.
To do this, you will need to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly. Use this as an indication point. As a general rule, place the cat flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the cat's belly. This way your cat can move through the flap without difficulty and also give other cats or snooping neighbours a tough time trying to enter or leave.
Once you've decided the best location for the cat flap to be positioned, mark this position on the door with the help of a pencil. If your kit has an outline of paper, place this over the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself in a wood or uPVC door if you are confident using a Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or a circle according to the design of your cat flap. Make sure to take your time and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new home. Make sure that it is firmly secured. If it features screw caps, then push them onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming into your home.
Fit internet
If you have a basic cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to use it by putting a little bit of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using sticks or your hand. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap it will be able to move in and out as it pleases, so you can let it in or out without having to be there keeping the door open for it all day (and possibly in all weather conditions).
It is possible to fit an animal flap inside an UPVC or glass door however it's not as simple as fitting one into a timber external door because the UPVC doors and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This can have a major impact on how you cut out the flap hole and also how well the flap fits after installation.
Depending on the model of cat flap you choose It may come with its own mounting kit and template that shows you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can create one yourself. It is important not to press the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't create a larger than needed hole in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are some that are circular, and are usually more difficult to place. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door because in the event that it's not, the cat will not be able to use the flap and may be stuck outside all day (or even night).
Some cat flaps come with locks that allow you to control when your cat comes and goes. This is useful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They can also be helpful when you are working all day. Certain locks can be used for entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for older cats or sick cats who don't want to venture out in cold weather.