Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to install the flap for your cat however, with the proper instructions, it's not too difficult. Determine how high you would like your cat flap to be (normally it's at the belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and then use the template provided to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and allow it to pass through. Reward it as it passes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to move into and out of your home at any time. This can keep your cat healthy since it will ensure that it gets enough exercise and be able to go back inside if it is trapped outside in bad weather. This will cut down on the time you have to let your cat out or in and also make your home safer by notifying you when it's gone.
It is essential to make sure that the cat flap is installed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's stomach and the size of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the normal, you can adjust the position of the flap by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door that you will put the flap. Then, using the markings as an indication, cut out the contour of the flap using the aid of a Jigsaw. Once you've cut 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. However, the process could be a bit more difficult if you need to fit it inside a uPVC or composite door because these doors have an array of thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. This is the reason we recommend hiring a professional to complete the work, 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 meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly useful for those who work all day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home in any weather.
If you are planning to install a cat flap inside your door it is important that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. Although it might seem like an easy task, it is important to measure the right way or your pet will find it very difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a manner that they cannot move and also ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any place. 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 determined your cat's measurements, it's time to examine the door to determine where to place the flap. A good tip is to place the flap at the height of your cat's belly as this will allow them to pass through it without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it opens and closes.
You should also take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall design. This can make fitting a flap for your cat more difficult as you must ensure that the hole is the proper size.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. Home Page will allow you determine where the opening must be and also make sure the template is properly placed on the door. It is also a good idea to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you need to cut the door panel to make it large enough to accommodate it. This can be a challenging task and it is recommended that you get help from a professional cat flap fitting service for this job in case you don't have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. It is also recommended to review the directions that come with the kit to find out how to do this correctly.
To do this you need to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as an indication point. A good guideline is to put the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is roughly the average height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Once you have determined the location where the cat flap needs to be located, mark the location on the door using a pencil. Next, if your kit comes with a paper template, lay it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes in each corner of the template. You will then be able to cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you 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 to cut the panel into a square or a circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Take your time, and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is made and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the cat flap into its new home and ensure that it's securely fixed. If the flap has screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by putting a little bit of cat food in the front of the door. You can also push the cat with sticks or your hand. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap it will be able to come and go whenever it wants. This allows you to let it in and out as it's wanted.
It is possible to fit an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, but it's not as simple as installing one in a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This could have an enormous impact on how you cut the flap hole and also whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
Depending on the type of cat flap you choose It may include a mounting kit as well as a template that will show you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not come with a template, you can create one by yourself. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw to the point that you create a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
fitting cat flap in upvc door panel are square or rectangular in shape, however there are also some which are circular, and they are generally more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the right position on your door because if it's not, your cat can't use it and could be left outside all day (or even at night).
Some cat flaps come with locks that let you regulate when your cat comes in and goes. They can be extremely useful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in the darkness, or if you're working all day. Some locks can be used to lock entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for older cats or sick cats who don't want to venture out in cold weather.