Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might be a bit daunting but it's simple with the right instructions. First, decide how high you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and use the template included to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door open very slightly and gradually allow it to enter. Reward the kitten as it passes.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent method to allow your pet to move into and out of your house as it pleases. This can help with keeping your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to come back in if trapped outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat out or in, and keep your home safe by letting you know when it's gone.
It is crucial that the cat flap is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's stomach and the height of the doorway in your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is taller or shorter than average, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it up or down a small amount.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the center of the door where you will be installing the flap. Then, using the marks as an outline, cut the shape of your flap with a Jigsaw. After cutting the flap, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take longer than two hours. However, composite door cat flap can be slightly more complicated in the event that you have to put it inside a uPVC or composite door because these doors come with various thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed into. We always suggest to consult with an expert if this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from hours of listening to your pet meow to let it in or out. This is particularly helpful when you're at work most of the 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 attempt the installation. It may seem like a straightforward task, but it is important to make sure you measure the right measurements. If not, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, make sure your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position where they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. 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 have your cat's measurement and measurements, you need to examine the door to decide the best place 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 with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and closed.
It is also important to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall construction and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure that 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 determine where the opening must be and also make sure the template is placed correctly on the door. Using a spirit-level to make sure that the template is sitting flush against the door will also be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you must cut the door panel to make a space big enough for it. This is a difficult job and it is recommended that you get help from a professional cat flap fitter for this job if you don't have the expertise or knowledge to tackle it yourself. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to find out how to do it correctly.
To do this, you have to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as an indication point. In general, place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the cat's belly. This will let your cat pass through the flap without difficulty and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to get inside or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. If your kit has a template you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. You should then be able cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap inside an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle the Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or a circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Remember to take your time and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been made, carefully place the cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure it is securely secured. If it has caps for screws, then put these onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also push the cat with a stick or your hand. Once your pet has become comfortable moving through the flap, it will be in a position to move as it pleases. This allows you to let it in and out at any time it wishes.
You can install the flap onto the UPVC or glass doors although this may not be as simple as fitting one into a timber exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC and glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can have a major impact on the way you cut the flap hole and also whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
Depending on the type of cat flap you select, it may include a mounting kit and template that will show exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit does not include a template you can make one on your own. When cutting, it's crucial to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too hard so that you don't create a larger hole than you need in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape but there are some that are circular and these are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap it's important to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door because in the event that it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and could be left out in the sun all day (or even night).
Certain models of cat flaps have locks that allow you to manage when your cat comes in and goes. They can be extremely useful when you're worried about your pet going out at night and then coming back in due to the darkness, or if you're at work for the entire day. Some locks can be used for access or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.