Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to install the flap for your cat, but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Find out how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally it's at belly height). Note this on your door, and use the template included to help you drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby then gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to go through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a wonderful option to allow your pet to leave and come inside and out of your home as it wants. This will help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is exercising and also being able to come back in if it is trapped outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. It can also reduce the amount of time you'll have to spend letting it out or in. It can protect your home by allowing you to know when it has gone out.
It is important to make sure that the cat flap is installed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway of your house to make sure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is taller or shorter than normal, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it up or down a small amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap in the door. After you have cut the flap, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
The process of installing a cat flap is not as difficult as you think and it should not take more than two hours for the entire job from start to completion. However, the process may be a little more complicated if you need to fit it onto a uPVC or composite door because these doors come in an array of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. We always recommend to contact a professional for your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of listening to the pet meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful if your cat is trapped inside during the winter months 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. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is essential to measure the right way or your pet will find it very difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a position that they are unable to move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. Holding the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the bottom of their tail can allow you to determine an accurate measurement.
Once you have your cat's measurements then you can examine the door to determine the best place to place the flap. It is advisable to position the flap in the middle of your cat's stomach as this will help them to pass through it without too much effort. This will also stop the flap making lots of noise when it opens and closes.
You will need to think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While all timber doors have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall structure. This can make the process of putting in an enclosure for your cat more difficult since you have to make sure that the hole is of the correct size.
It is also worth looking through the instructions included with the kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the opening must be and also make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. It is also a good idea to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template sits in a straight line 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 job and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter to complete this task in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to complete the task yourself. You can also consult the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do it correctly.
To do this you need to measure the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as an indication point. A good rule of thumb is to put the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to get inside or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. Next, if your kit comes with a paper template, lay this over the door and use the marks to drill holes into each corner of the template. You should then be able cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door If you're comfortable using a Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square according to the design of your cat flap. Be patient 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 solidly secured. If it features caps on the screws, then place these onto the protruding screws. After the screws are installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent draughts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also push the cat with a stick or your hand. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be in a position to move whenever it wants. This lets you let it in and out as it wishes.
cat flap cost is possible to fit an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door although this may not be exactly the same as fitting one into a wood external door because the UPVC and glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This can affect the way you cut the hole for the flap, and will also affect whether the flap will fit properly once it's been put in place.
Depending on the model of cat flap you select It may be equipped with a mounting kit and template that shows you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't include an example you can copy it to make your own. When cutting, it is important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too to the point that you create a larger hole than you need in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, but there are some that are circular, and are generally more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is in the correct spot on the door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able to use it, and could be locked outside for the entire day (or night).
Certain models of cat flaps have locks which let you manage when your cat comes in and goes. They are helpful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark or coming back to the house at night. They can also be helpful if you work all day. The lock can be engaged for entry or exit and some can be locked in both directions, allowing you to shut the door completely, which is particularly beneficial for older or ill cats who aren't keen on going out in rainy weather.