Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to install a cat flap however, with the proper guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, determine the height you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Then, mark this area on your door, and use the included template to help you drill.
If cat flap install have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually encourage it to go through. Reward the kitten each time it moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a wonderful method to let your pet leave and come in and out of your home whenever it pleases. This can help keep your cat in good health as it will ensure that it is exercising regularly and also be able to return inside if it is stranded outside during bad weather. This will cut down on the time you allow your cat go in and out, and keep your home safe by letting you know when it has left.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is placed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being pushed through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine your pet's belly height and the entrance to your home in order to ensure that the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the position of your flap in case your cat is taller or less than average.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door, where you will put the flap. With the markings as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap inside the door. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are required.
The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as difficult as you believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire job from start to finish. However, cat flap install can be slightly more complicated if you need to fit it into 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 fixed into. This is why we recommend hiring a professional to complete the job, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from listening to your pet meow for you to let it in or out. This is especially helpful if you are at work all day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home in any weather.
It is essential to measure your cat's measurements first before you begin the installation. It may appear to be a simple task, but it is essential to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat might find it difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position where they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the tip of their tail can allow you to determine an exact measurement.
Once you have the measurement of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide where to put the flap. The best option is to position the flap at the height of your cat's belly because it will allow them to move through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making lots of noise when it opens and closes.
It is also important to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. Although timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall design and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult because you must make sure the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole on the door. This will help you to see the location where the opening should be and make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. It is also a good idea to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template is perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make an opening in the door panel to install your cat flap before you can attach it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter for this job should you not have the expertise or knowledge to tackle it yourself. You can also consult the instructions provided in the kit to find out how to do it right.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. As a rule of thumb, place the cat flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average height of the stomach for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap without difficulty and make it more difficult for other cats and nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit includes the template, place it over the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. You should then be able to cut the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install the cat flap yourself inside a wood or uPVC door If you're comfortable using a Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut through any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle according to the way you want it. Take your time and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is cut then carefully insert the flap of cat food into its new home and ensure that it is firmly fixed. If the flap has screws put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to go through by placing a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also push the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is used to moving through the flap, it will be able to move in and out as it wishes and you should be able to let it out and in without keeping the door open for it throughout the day (and potentially in all weathers).
You can fit a cat flap into an UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a wood external door since the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut the flap's hole, and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
The mounting kit could contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template you can create one on your own. It's important to not press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so 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's essential to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door because if it's not, the cat can't use it and may be stuck in the open all day (or even night).
Some cat flaps have locks that allow you to determine when your cat is allowed to enter and leave. This is useful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark or coming back inside at night. They can also be useful if you work all day. The lock can be engaged for entry or exit and some are locked in both directions, permitting you to close the door completely, which is especially beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't keen on going out in bad weather.