Fitting a Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may appear daunting but it's easy to do with the proper instructions. Find out how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the template provided as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten that is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to pass through. Reward the kitten each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at its convenience. This will keep your cat healthy since it ensures that it is getting enough exercise and also be able to go back inside if it is trapped outside in bad weather. This will reduce the amount of time you allow your cat out or in and make your home secure by letting you know when it's left.
However, it is essential that the cat flap is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure your pet's belly height and the entrance to your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. If cat flap installer near me is larger or shorter than the average, you can alter the flap's position by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. With the markings as a reference, use an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap inside the door. After you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes that are required.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. However, the process may be slightly more complicated in the event that you have to put it onto a uPVC or composite door since these doors come with a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. This is why we recommend calling a professional to complete the work, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hearing your pet's cries for you to let it out or in. This is particularly useful if you are at work most of the day and your cat has to stay in the house waiting for you to get home in any weather.
If you're planning to put a cat flap in your door, it is essential that you measure your cat before attempting the task. While it may seem an easy task, it is important to measure the right way or your cat may be unable to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll 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 and not arching in any places. You can take 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've figured out the measurements of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide on where you want to place the flap. The best option is to position the flap in the middle of your cat's belly as this will help them to move through it without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot noise as it swings back and forth.
You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. Although timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall construction and this can make the installation of a cat flap more difficult since you have to ensure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you to determine the location where the opening should be and also make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. It is also beneficial to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is placed perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut a hole in the door panel for your cat flap before you can install it. This can be a tricky job, and it is recommended to seek the help of a professional cat flap fitter for this job if you don't have the skills or experience to complete the task yourself. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to learn how to do this properly.
To do this you need to take a measurement of the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as an indicator point. As a rule of thumb put the flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the stomach for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap without difficulty and make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you have determined the best location for the cat flap to be positioned, mark this location on the door using pencil. Then, if your kit includes a paper template, lay it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. You should then be able to cut the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
If doors with cat flap are installing your cat flap on the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if are comfortable with a Jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut through any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle, depending on how you'd like to cut it. Make sure to take your time and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure it is firmly secured. If it features screw caps, then push these caps onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap you can open it and encourage your pet to go 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 cat is used to walking through the flap it will be able to move into and out as it pleases, so you can let it out or in without having to be there to open the door for it throughout the day (and likely in any weather).
It is possible to install an animal flap into the UPVC doors or glass door, but it might not be as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is due to the fact that the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This could affect the way you cut the hole for the flap, and will also affect whether the flap is fitted correctly after it has been installed.
The mounting kit might contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to make one yourself. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw hard so that you don't make a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are some that are circular and these are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is in the correct spot on your door. If not, your cat might not be able to access it, and could be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you regulate when your cat can enter and leave. This is useful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark or coming back to the house at night. They can also be useful if you work all day. Some locks can be used for access or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is useful for sick or older cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.