Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to install a cat flap but with the right instructions, it's not too difficult. First, decide how high you want the cat flap to be (on average the belly height). Then, mark this area on the door, and use the template as a reference to drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and encourage it to go through. Reward it as it passes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This will help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to come back in if it is left outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat out or in and make your home secure by notifying you when it's left.
It is crucial that the flap on your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. You can alter the height of your flap when your cat is smaller or taller than the average.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the center of the door where you will be installing the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the form of your flap with a Jigsaw. Once you have cut out the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are needed.
The installation of a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process can be slightly more challenging if you need to install it on a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because composite doors are available in various thicknesses, which can impact the way holes are cut. This is why we always recommend hiring a professional to carry out the job, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of listening to the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful for cats that are inside during the winter months while you work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap inside your door it is important to take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. While it may seem to be a simple task, it is essential to get the measurement right or your cat will be unable to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. Holding the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the tip of their tail can allow you to get an exact measurement.
Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it is time to look at the door and decide where you want to place the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot noise as it swings back and forth.
You must take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While cat flap installers are all of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall design and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult as you will need to make sure the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions included with the kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you to see the location where the opening should be and ensure that the template is placed correctly on the door. It is also beneficial to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template sits in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you have to cut the door panel in order to create a space large enough to accommodate it. It's a challenging job so it's recommended you engage a professional to assist you if you don't have the skills or experience. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do this properly.
You can consider the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. In general you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average height of the belly for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap without difficulty and make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to get inside or out.
Once you've determined the best location for the cat flap to be located, mark the position on the door with pencil. If your kit comes with a template, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes in each corner. After that, you'll be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
If please click the up coming website page are installing your cat flap on a door made from wood or uPVC, you can do this yourself if you are confident enough to use the Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new home. Make sure that it is solidly secured. If it features caps for screws, then put these caps onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by placing a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using a stick or your hand. Once your pet has become comfortable moving through the flap, it will be able to come and go whenever it wants. This allows you to let it in and out at any time it wants.
You can fit a cat flap into an UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a timber external door since UPVC and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole, and whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
The mounting kit might include a template that shows you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with the template, you can photocopy it to create your own. When cutting, it's important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too far enough to create a bigger hole than is necessary in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the proper location on your door as if it's not, your cat will not be able to use the flap and may be stuck out in the sun all day (or even night).
Some cat flaps have locks that permit you to control when your cat comes in and goes. They are helpful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark, or coming back inside at night. They can also be useful when you are working all day. Some locks can be used for either entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.