Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting but it's easy to do by following the correct instructions. Find out how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's at belly height). Then, mark this area on your door, and use the included template to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door slightly open and gradually encourage it to enter. Reward the kitten as it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to enter and exit your home at the time that is convenient for you. This will help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it gets exercise and also being able to get back inside if stuck outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. It can also cut down on the amount of time you have to spend letting it in or out and can also ensure your home is secure by letting you know when it has gone out.
It is important to ensure that the cat flap is placed correctly to stop your pet from being pushed through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly and the width of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the right height. If your cat is taller or shorter than normal, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door where you will put the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guide, take an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap within the door. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes that are required.
The installation of a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process may be slightly 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 inserted into. This is why we recommend hiring an expert to do the job, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from listening to your pet's meow to let it out or in. This is especially helpful for those who working all day and your cat has to stay in the house waiting for you to get home regardless of the weather.
It is essential to measure your cat's measurements first before you begin the installation. It might seem like a simple task, but it is essential to measure your cat correctly. In the event that you don't, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and also 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 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 decide where to place the flap. A good tip is to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly because this will allow them to pass through it without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot noise as it moves back and forward.
You will also need to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This can make fitting the flap for your cat more difficult since you need to ensure the hole is the proper size.
It is also worth studying the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark out the location of the hole in the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole needs to be located and ensure that the template is placed precisely on the door. It is also helpful to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template is in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut a hole in the door panel for your cat flap prior to you can put it in place. It can be a difficult job, so it's recommended that you get a professional help you if you lack the knowledge or skills. You can also refer to the instructions that come in the kit to find out how to do it right.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good rule of thumb is to put the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This way your cat will be able to move through the flap without difficulty and also give any other cats or curious neighbours an issue when trying to leave or enter.
Once you've decided the best location for the cat flap to be placed, mark this position on the door with the help of a pencil. Then, if your kit includes a paper template, lay this over the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. Then, you should be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.
You can install your cat flap yourself inside the door made of wood or uPVC If you're comfortable with a jigsaw. Be sure to not cut into any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a circle or square, depending on the design of your cat flap. Remember to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully fit the cat flap into its new home and make sure that it's securely fixed. If the flap has screws put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will stop draughts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount cat food on the front of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your pet has become used to walking through the flap, it will be able to come and go as it pleases. This allows you to let it in and out whenever it's wanted.
You can fit an animal flap inside the UPVC or glass doors but it's not as simple as fitting one into a timber exterior door due to the fact that UPVC and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could 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 been installed.
cat flap insulation mounting kit might include a template that shows you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template you can make one yourself. It's important not to use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so that it doesn't leave a bigger than necessary hole in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the right position on your door, because if it's not, the cat will not be able to use the flap and could be stranded in the open all day (or even at night).
Certain models of cat flaps come with locks that permit you to manage when your cat comes and goes. They are helpful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark or coming back inside at night. They are also useful when you are working all day. The lock can be engaged for entry or exit and some are locked in either direction permitting you to close the door completely, which is especially helpful for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen on going out in the rain.