Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might seem intimidating however it's actually quite easy to do with the right instructions. Determine how high you would like the cat flap (normally it's at the belly height). Mark this point on the door and use the template included as a guide to drill.
If you have a small kitten hold the door slightly open and gradually allow it to go through. Reward the kitten as it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at its convenience. This can help with keeping your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise and also being able to get back inside if trapped outside in bad weather, particularly during the winter. This will cut down on the time you spend letting your cat in or out and make your home safe by letting you know when it's left.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's belly as well as the size of the doorway in your home to make sure the flap is at the right height. You can alter the height of your flap if 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 install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guideline, you can use the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap inside the door. After cutting the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process is slightly more difficult if you have 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 can impact the way that holes are cut. This is why we recommend hiring a professional to complete the task, especially in the event that you've 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 especially useful 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 measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your cat may find it very difficult to use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is relaxed and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep them in a manner that they are not able to move, and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any place. window cat flap 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 measurements, it's time to examine the door to decide the best place to place the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making too much noise as it swings back and back.
You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall structure. This makes fitting the flap for your cat more difficult since you need to ensure the hole is the proper size.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you determine the location where the opening should be and also ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. Using a spirit level to make sure that the template is flush against the door can be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap, you'll must cut the door panel to create a space large enough to accommodate it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service to complete this task in case you don't have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. It is also recommended that you review the directions that come with the cat flap kit to discover how to do this properly.
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 indicator point. A good guideline is to place the flap around 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is approximately the average belly height for cats. This way, your cat can move through the flap comfortably and it will also give other cats or snooping neighbours a tough time trying to enter or leave.
Once you have determined where the cat flap should be positioned, mark this location on the door using a pencil. If your kit has the template put it on top of the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes in each corner. 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 in an uPVC or wood door If you're comfortable with the Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle, depending on how you'd like it. Make sure to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the flap of cat food into its new location and make sure that it is securely fixed. If the flap is fitted with screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed smooth the edges and seal any gaps. This will block drafts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a little bit of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your pet has become accustomed to moving through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap whenever it wants. This allows you to let it in and out as it's wanted.
It is possible to put a cat flap in an UPVC door or glass door, however it might not be as easy as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because UPVC doors and some types of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This can affect the way you cut the opening for the flap and could affect the way your flap fits correctly once it's been put in place.
Depending on the model of cat flap you choose It could include a mounting kit and template that shows exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include an example you can copy it to create your own. It is important not to push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't make a larger than necessary hole in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is located in the correct spot on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able to access it, and may be stuck outside the whole day (or night).
Some cat flaps have locks which permit you to manage when your cat comes in and goes. These are useful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark or returning inside at night. They are also useful if you work all day. Certain locks can be used for either entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for older cats or sick cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.