Fitting a Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may be a bit daunting but it's simple by following the correct instructions. First, decide how high you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and use the template included to guide you when drilling.
If you have a young kitten, prop the door slightly open and gradually push it to pass through. Reward it when it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to go in and out of your home at its convenience. This will help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is exercising and also being able to go back inside if left outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. This can reduce the time you spend letting your cat out or in and also make your home secure by letting you know when it's gone.
Full Record is important to make sure that the cat flap is placed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home to ensure that the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the height of your flap in case your cat is smaller or taller than the average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guide, take an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap in the door. Once you've cut the area, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes required.
The process of installing a cat flap isn't as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours for the entire job from start to finish. The process can be slightly more complicated if you are required to install it on the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors are available in various thicknesses, which could affect the way the holes are cut. This is the reason we recommend calling a professional to complete the work, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of listening to the cat's meows to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful if your cat is trapped inside during the winter months when you are at work.
It is essential to measure your cat's measurements first before attempting to install. It may seem like a simple task, but it is crucial to measure your cat correctly. Otherwise, your pet may have difficulty putting it in use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not feeling stressed prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not bending in any place. You can get an accurate measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide where to put the flap. through wall cat flap is advisable to position the flap at the height of your cat's belly as this will allow them to move through it without too much effort. This will also stop the flap making lots of noise when it opens and closes.
You should also think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall structure, which can make fitting a cat flap more complicated because you must make sure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the opening on the door. cat flap fitting near me will help you determine where the hole needs to be located and make sure that the template is placed properly on the door. Using a spirit-level to make sure that the template is sitting in a straight line against the door can prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you must cut the door panel to create a space large enough for it. It's a challenging job and it is recommended that you hire a professional to assist you if you don't have the knowledge or skills. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the kit to discover how to do it correctly.
You can take the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. As a rule of thumb put the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the cat's belly. This way, your cat will be able to go through the flap without difficulty and it will also give other cats or snooping neighbours a tough time trying to get in or out.
Once you've decided the best location for the cat flap to be placed, mark this location on the door using a pencil. Then, if your kit includes an outline of paper, place this over the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. You will then be able cut out the shape 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 can do this yourself if you are confident enough to use a jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut into the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle according to the way you'd like to cut it. Remember to take your time and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure that it is securely secured. If it features caps for screws, then put them onto the screws that protrude. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop draughts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with the help of a stick or your hands. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap it is likely to be able in and out as it wants and you should be able to let it out or in without having to be there holding the door open for it throughout the day (and likely in all weathers).
It is possible to fit the flap onto an UPVC or glass door but it's not as simple as fitting one into a timber external door because the UPVC and glass doors don't have the same thickness. This can affect how you cut the opening for the flap and could affect the way your flap fits correctly once it's installed.
The mounting kit may contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not come with a template, you can make one yourself. When cutting, it is important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too hard so that you don't create a larger hole than necessary in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are also some which are circular and these are typically more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the correct position on your door, because if it's not, your cat can't use it and may be stuck in the open all day (or even night).
Some cat flaps come with locks that let you control when your cat comes and goes. These are useful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They can also be useful for those who work all day. The lock can be used to allow or deny entry, and some can be locked in either direction permitting you to close the door completely. This is especially beneficial for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen on going out in the rain.