Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can seem intimidating, but it is fairly simple with the right instructions. Find out how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Note this on the door, and use the template as a reference to drill.
If you have a small kitten, prop the door open very slightly and gradually allow it to pass through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to go back in if left outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you need to spend letting it out or in and can keep your home safe by letting you be aware of when it went out.
However, it is important that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home in order to make sure that the flap is at the right height. You can alter the height of your flap if your cat is taller or smaller than the average.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use a jigsaw and cut out the form of the flap in the door. Once you have cut out the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes needed.
The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours to finish the entire job from start to completion. However, the process can be a little more complicated if you need to fit it onto the door of a uPVC or composite door because these doors have an array of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. This is the reason we recommend hiring an expert to do the task, especially when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful if your cat is trapped inside in all weathers when you are at work.
If you're planning to put a cat flap in your door, it is crucial that you measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might appear to be a simple operation it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your cat may find it very difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm and not feeling stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a place in which they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. 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 determined your cat's measurement, it's time to examine the door to determine the best place to place the flap. It is advisable to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly because this will help them to pass through it with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap making a lot of noise as it opens and closes.
You must think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall construction, which can make fitting a cat flap more difficult because you must ensure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
It is also worth reading through the directions included with the cat flap kit to locate an illustration template that can be used to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the opening must be and also make sure the template is properly placed on the door. It is also beneficial to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll have to cut the door's panel to create a space large enough for it. This can be a challenging job, and it is recommended to seek the help of an expert cat flap fitter to complete this task should you not have the expertise or knowledge to complete the task yourself. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to learn how to do this correctly.
You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good guideline is to put the flap around 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is the typical height of the cat's belly. Your cat will be able to move through the flap with ease and also give any other cats or curious neighbours a tough time trying to get in or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. If fitting cat flap in upvc door panel includes a paper template, lay this over the door and use the marks to drill holes into every corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
You can install the cat flap yourself on the door made of wood or uPVC if you are confident with a jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle depending on the way you'd like to cut it. Be patient and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been cut then carefully insert the flap onto its new home and make sure that it is securely fixed. If it features caps on the screws, then place these caps onto the screws that protrude. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent drafts from entering your home.
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If you have a standard cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to go through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through with your hands or with a stick. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap it will be able to move in and out as it wants, so you can let it out or in without keeping the door open for it all day (and likely in all weathers).
You can install the flap onto an UPVC or glass door although this may not be quite as straightforward as fitting one into a timber external door since the UPVC and glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can have a significant impact on how you cut the hole for the flap and will also affect whether the flap will fit properly once it's installed.
The mounting kit could contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template you can copy it to create your own. When cutting, it's crucial to avoid pushing the jigsaw too to the point that you create a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are also some which are circular, and they are usually more difficult to place. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the right position on your door because if it's not, your cat won't be able to use it and could be left out in the sun all day (or even at night).
Some cat flaps have locks which permit you to regulate when your cat comes and goes. They are helpful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark, or coming back in the dark. They can also be useful for those who work all day. Certain locks can be used for entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for sick or older cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.