Fitting a Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may appear daunting, but it is fairly simple to install with the proper instructions. Determine how high you would like the cat flap (normally it's located at belly height). Note this on your door, and use the template included as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and allow it to go through. Reward the kitten each time it moves through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a great option to allow your pet to move into and out of your house as it pleases. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by ensuring that it is exercising as well as being able to get back inside if trapped outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. This will reduce the amount of time you have to let your cat go in and out, and keep your home secure by notifying you when it's left.
However, it is important that the flap on your cat is properly fitted to stop 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 the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway to your home in order to ensure that the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the height of your flap when your cat is smaller or taller than average.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap within the door. Once 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.
The process of fitting a cat flap isn't as difficult as you think and it should not take more than two hours for the entire task from start to completion. However, the process may be a little more complicated in the event that you have to put it inside the door of a uPVC or composite door because these doors come in an array of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed into. This is why we always recommend hiring an expert to do the task, especially when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of ignoring the pet meow to be allowed in or out. This is especially useful when your cat is inside during the winter months when you are at work.
It is essential to first measure your cat before you attempt the installation. Although it might seem like to be a simple task, it is essential to measure the right way or your cat will find it very difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. cat flap cover for winter '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. 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 got your cat's measurement then you can look at the door to decide the best place to place the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it opens and closes.
You will also need to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. Although cat flap step are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall construction and this can make the installation of the cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
It is also worth looking through the instructions 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 help you determine where the hole should be placed and ensure that the template is placed correctly on the door. It is also beneficial to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template sits perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make a hole in the door panel for your cat flap prior to you can install it. This can be a challenging job, and it is recommended to get help from an expert cat flap fitter for this job in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. You can also read the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do it properly.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good rule of thumb is to place the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to get inside or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit has a template for paper, place it over the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. You should then be able cut out the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in a door made from wood or uPVC, you can do this yourself if you are confident enough to use 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 circle or square according to the way you'd like it. Be patient and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap has screw caps then push them into the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed smooth the edges and seal any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with the help of a stick or your hands. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap it should be able to go in and out as it wishes, so you can let it out and in without having to be there holding the door open to allow it in all day (and likely in all weathers).
You can fit an animal flap inside the UPVC or glass doors although this may not be exactly the same as fitting one into a wood external door because UPVC and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on how 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 could include a template that shows you where to drill holes. If the kit does not come with a template, you can create one by yourself. It's important not to push the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't create a larger than needed hole in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, however there are also some which are circular and these are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the correct location on your door as if it's not, your cat will not be able to use the flap and could be left in the open all day (or even night).
Some models of cat flap have locks that let you control when your cat comes and goes. These can be very useful if you're worried about your pet going out at night and coming back in due to the darkness, or you're at work all day. The lock can be used for entry or exit and some locks can be locked in both directions, allowing you to shut the door completely, which is especially helpful for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't keen on going out in rainy weather.