Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting however it's actually quite simple to install with the right instructions. Find out how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's located at the belly height). Mark this point on the door and use the template as a guide to drill.
If you have a young kitten hold the door open very slightly and gradually push it to go through. Reward it as it passes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to come and go inside and out of your home as it wants. This can help keep your cat healthy as it will ensure that it gets enough exercise and also be able to return inside if it gets trapped outside in bad weather. It can also reduce the amount of time you have to allow it out or in and can protect your home by allowing you to know when it's been out.
However, it is essential that the flap on your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway of your house in order to make sure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the position of your flap in case your cat is taller or smaller than the average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the centre of the door, where you will put the flap. Then, using the marks as an indication, cut out the form of your flap on the door with the help of a jigsaw. After you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes that are needed.
The process of installing a cat flap is not as complicated as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire task from start to completion. However, the process may be slightly more complicated if you need to fit it inside a uPVC or composite door as these doors come in various thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are inserted into. We always recommend to consult with an expert when this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of listening to the pet meow to be let in or out. This is particularly useful when you're at work most of the day and your cat is stuck in the house waiting for you to get home in any weather.
If you're planning to put a cat flap on your door it is important that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. Although it might seem like a simple operation it is essential to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will find it very difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to hold them in a position where they are not able to move, and make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body, not arching in any places. You can get an accurate measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've determined your cat's measurement and measurements, you need to examine the door to determine the best place to place the flap. A good tip is to position the flap at the height of your cat's belly as this will allow them to pass through it without much effort. This will also stop the flap making a lot of noise as it opens and closes.
You must consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While timber doors are all of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall structure and can make fitting a cat flap more difficult because you must make sure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the position of the opening on the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole must be placed and ensure that the template is placed properly on the door. It is also helpful to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template sits perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut an opening in the door panel for your cat flap before you can install it. This can be a challenging task and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitter for this job in case you don't have the skills or experience to tackle it yourself. You can also read the instructions that come in the kit to find out how to do it right.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. As a rule of thumb you should place the flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the stomach for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap without difficulty and make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you've decided the best location for the cat flap to be positioned, mark this location on the door using a pencil. If your kit has a paper template, lay this over the door and use the markings to drill holes into every corner of the template. upvc door panels with cat flap will then be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself on the door made of wood or uPVC If you're comfortable with the use of a Jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut into any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle according to the way you'd like it. Be patient, and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure that it is solidly secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once cat flap installation cost have been installed smooth the edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. upvc door panels with cat flap will stop the entry of draughts into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also push the cat using a stick or your hand. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap it will be able to move into and out as it wishes and you should be able to let it out or in without to open the door for it throughout the day (and possibly in any weather).
It is possible to put a cat flap in the UPVC doors or glass door, however it may not be as easy as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because UPVC doors and some types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
The mounting kit may include a template that shows you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template you can create one by yourself. It's important to not push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't create a larger than needed hole in your door.
Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, however there are also some which are circular, and are generally more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is in the correct place on your door. If not, your cat may not be able use it, and could be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that let you determine when your cat can enter and leave. They can be extremely useful in the event that you are concerned about your cat going out at night and then coming back in because of the darkness, or you're at work all day. The lock can be engaged to allow entry or exit, and some are locked in either direction allowing you to shut the door completely, which is especially helpful for older or ill cats who aren't willing to go out in bad weather.