Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to install the flap for your cat however, with the proper guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, determine the height you want the flap to be (on average the belly height). Then, mark this area on your door, and use the template included to help you drill.
If you have a young kitten, prop the door open very slightly and gradually push it to enter. Reward the kitten each time it moves through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a great option to allow your pet to come and go inside and out of your house as it wants. This can help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise and also being able to go back inside if trapped outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat in or out and also make your home secure by notifying you when it's gone.
It is essential to make sure that the cat flap is placed correctly to stop your pet from being pushed through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential 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 right height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the average, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door that you will install the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the shape of the flap using the aid of a jigsaw. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes that are required.
The installation of a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process could be a little more complicated if you need to fit it into a uPVC or composite door since these doors have an array of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. We recommend to consult with an expert when this is your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from listening to your pet meow for you to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful if your cat is trapped inside in all weathers while you work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on your door it is important to take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. It may appear to be a simple task, but it is crucial to measure your cat correctly. If not, your cat might find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a place where they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. Keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the tip of their tail will enable you to make an accurate measurement.
Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide on where to put the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door with minimal effort. This will also avoid the flap making a lot of noise as it opens and closes.
You must think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While all timber doors have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall structure. This makes fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult since you need to ensure the hole is of the correct size.
It is also worthwhile studying the instructions that come with the kit to find an outline of the template that can be used to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will help you to determine the location where the opening should be, and also to make sure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Using a spirit-level to ensure that the template is sitting in a straight line against the door can be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap, you'll have to cut the door panel to make it large enough for it. It can be a difficult task and it is recommended that you get a professional help you if you lack the skills or experience. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to learn how to do it correctly.
To do this, you have to determine the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as a reference point. As a general rule you should place the flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap easily and make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using the pencil. Then, if your kit includes a paper template, lay it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes in each corner of the template. You should then be able to cut out the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do this yourself if you are comfortable with using a Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle according to the way you'd like it. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is made then carefully insert the flap of cat food into its new location and make sure that it is securely fixed. If it features screw caps, then push these caps onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts entering 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 small amount of cat food in the front of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through with your hands or with a stick. Once your cat has become used to walking through the flap it will be capable of walking through the flap as it pleases. This will allow you to let it in and out as it wishes.
You can install the flap onto the UPVC or glass doors however it's not exactly the same as fitting one into a wood external door because UPVC and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can have a major impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole, and whether the flap fits 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 an example you can use a photocopier to create your own. When cutting, it's crucial to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too to the point that you make a larger hole than you need in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are also some which are circular and these are usually more difficult to place. 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 can't use it and could be left outside all day (or even at night).
cat flap insulation of cat flap have locks that allow you to control when your cat comes in and goes. These can be very useful if you're concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in because of the darkness, or if you're at work all day. Certain locks can be used for entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.