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. Determine how high you would like your cat flap to be (normally it's at the belly height). Then, mark this area on your door, and use the included template as a guide 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 it when it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to move into and out of your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to come back in if it is left outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. This will cut down on the time you have to let your cat go in and out, and keep your home secure by letting you know when it's left.
It is important to make sure that the cat flap is set up correctly to stop your pet from being pushed through or escaping through it 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 so that you can ensure that the flap is at the right height. You can alter the height of your flap in case your cat is smaller or taller than average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the shape of the flap on the door with the aid of a Jigsaw. After cutting the area and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as difficult as you may think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to finish the entire job from start to finish. The process can be slightly more challenging if you need to put it in a uPVC door or composite one. This is because composite doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which can impact the way the holes are cut. This is why we recommend calling a professional to carry out the task, especially if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of listening to your pet's meow for you to let it out or in. This is particularly useful if you are at working all day and your cat is in the waiting room until you come home regardless of the weather.
It is important to measure your cat first before you attempt the installation. It might appear to be a simple task, but it's essential to measure your cat correctly. In the event that you don't, your cat might find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a manner that they cannot move and also ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not arching in any places. You can get a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you have your cat's measurement and measurements, you need to examine the door to decide where to place the flap. It is advisable to place the flap at the height of your cat's belly because it will allow them to get through it without too much effort. This will also avoid the flap making quite a lot of noise when it opens and closes.
You should also think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are all of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall construction and can make fitting a cat flap more complicated as you will need to make sure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole on the door. This will help you to see where the opening needs to be and also make sure the template is correctly positioned on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to ensure that the template is in a straight line against the door will also be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make a hole in the door panel for your cat flap prior to you can attach it. This is a difficult job and it is recommended that you get help from an expert cat flap fitter for this step in case you don't have the skills or experience to tackle it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do it properly.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. As a rule of thumb put the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the cat's belly. This way your cat can move through the flap without difficulty and also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping an issue when trying to get in or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door with the pencil. If your kit includes an outline you can place it on the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. Then, you should be able to cut out the template and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap inside an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if you are confident enough to use using a Jigsaw. Be sure to not cut through any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle, depending on how you want it. Remember to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut then carefully insert the cat flap into its new home and ensure that it is firmly secured. If it has screw caps, then push them onto the protruding screws. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will block drafts from entering your home.
Place the Flap
If you have an ordinary 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. You can also try pushing the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat has become comfortable walking 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 wishes.
It is possible to install a cat flap in an UPVC door or glass door, but it may not be as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is because UPVC doors and some types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This could have an enormous impact on how you cut the flap's hole, and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
Depending on the model of cat flap you select, it may come with its own mounting kit and template that will tell precisely where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template you can make one yourself. When cutting, it's crucial to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too to the point that you make a larger hole than you need in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure the hole is in the right place on your door. If not, your cat might not be able to use it, and could be locked outside for the entire day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to regulate when your cat enters and leaves. This is useful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark or coming back to the house at night. like this can also be useful if you work all day. Some locks can be used for entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is useful for older cats or sick cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.