Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting but it's simple with the right instructions. Firstly, determine how high you want the cat flap to be (on average or belly height). Then, mark this area on your door, and use the template included to help you drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to go through. Reward it when it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a great method to let your pet leave and come inside and out of your home as it pleases. This will keep your cat healthy since it will ensure it is exercising regularly and will also allow it to go back inside if it is trapped outside in bad weather. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat out or in and also make your home secure by notifying you when it has left.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is set up correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway of your house 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 smaller than the average.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. With the markings as a reference, use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap within the door. Once you've cut the area, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill back door with cat flap fitted fixing holes that are required.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process can be slightly more complicated if you are required to install it on the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because composite doors come in various thicknesses, which can impact the way holes are cut. We always recommend to contact an expert when this is your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful when your cat is inside during the winter months while you work.
It is essential to measure your cat first before you begin the installation. Although it might appear to be a simple operation it is crucial to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will find it very difficult to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed before you take the measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they are not able to move, and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not bending in any way. You 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 figured out the measurements of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide where to place the flap. The best option is to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly because this will allow them to pass through it without too much effort. This will also stop the flap from making too much noise as it moves back and forward.
You will need to consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall structure. This can make fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult since you must ensure that the hole is the proper size.
It is also worth reading through the directions that come with the cat flap kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole must be placed and ensure that the template is placed correctly on the door. It is also beneficial to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template sits flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll have to cut the door panel in order to create a space large enough for it. It's a challenging task, so it's recommended that you hire a professional to assist you if you don't have the knowledge or skills. It is also recommended that you read the instructions included with the kit to find out how to do this correctly.
You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good rule of thumb is to set the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to move through the flap easily and will make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using pencil. Next, if your kit includes a template for paper, place it over the door and use the marks to drill holes in every corner of the template. You should then be able to cut out the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install the cat flap yourself on an uPVC or wood door when you're confident with the use of a jigsaw. Be sure to not cut through 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. Make sure to take your time and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure it is solidly secured. If the flap has screws then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will prevent draughts from entering your home.
Place 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. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hands or a stick. Once your cat is used to moving through the flap, it is likely to be able into and out as it pleases and you should be able to let it out and in without keeping the door open for it all day (and likely in any weather).
You can install the flap onto an UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting it into a wooden exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC and glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This can have a significant impact on the way you cut the opening for the flap and can also affect whether your flap will fit properly once it's installed.
The mounting kit may contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't 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 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 it's important to make sure the hole is in the right location on your door as in the event that it's not, the cat can't use it and may be stuck outside all day (or even at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to determine when your cat is allowed to enter and leave. These are very helpful in the event that you are worried about your pet going out at night and then coming back in the darkness, or if you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be turned on to allow or deny entry, and some are locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely. This is especially beneficial for older or ill cats who aren't keen on going out in the rain.