Fitting a Cat Flap

updated blog post might seem daunting to install the flap for your cat but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Firstly, determine how high you want the cat flap to be (on average, belly height). Mark this point on the door and then use the template included as a guideline to drill.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually allow it to go through. Reward the kitten as it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a wonderful method to allow your pet to leave and come inside and out of your house as it wants. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is exercising and also being able to go back in if trapped outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. This will reduce the amount of time you have to let your cat out or in and also make your home safe by letting you know when it has left.
It is important to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly and the width of the doorway in your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the position of your flap in case your cat is smaller or taller than the average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the centre of the door, where you will put the flap. With the markings as a guide, take the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap in the door. After cutting the area then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
The installation of a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process may be a little more complicated if you need to fit it into the frame of a uPVC or composite door as these doors come with various thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. This is the reason we recommend hiring a professional to carry out the task, especially when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hours of listening to your pet's meow for you to let it in or out. This is especially helpful when you're at work all day and your cat is stuck inside waiting until you get home in any weather.
It is essential to first measure your cat before you begin the installation. It may seem like a straightforward task, but it's important to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat might find it difficult to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not feeling anxious prior to taking the measurements. You will need to hold them in a position where they are not able to move, and ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body, not bending in any way. 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've got your cat's measurement, it's time to look at the door to determine the best place to place the flap. Place 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 will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. Although timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall design, which can make fitting the cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
It is also worth looking through the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to locate an illustration template that can be used to determine the location of the hole inside the door. This 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 employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template is in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut an opening in the door panel for your cat flap prior to you can install it. This can be a tricky job and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitter for this step should you not have the expertise or knowledge to complete the task yourself. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to find out how to do this correctly.
You can take the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. In general, place the cat flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above 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 more difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you've decided where the cat flap should be placed, mark this location on the door using pencil. Next, if your kit includes a template for paper, place it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. You will then be able to cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If upvc door panels with cat flap are installing your cat flap on the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle the jigsaw. Be sure to not cut into any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to 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 force the jigsaw to cut faster.
After the hole has been cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the cat flap into its new home and make sure that it's securely secured. If it has caps for screws, then put these caps onto the protruding screws. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with a stick or your hand. Once your cat is comfortable moving through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap at will. This will allow you to let it in and out whenever it wishes.
You can fit an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door however it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a timber exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC doors 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.
Depending on the type of cat flap you choose It may come with its own mounting kit as well as a template that shows you exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with a template you can use a photocopier 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.
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 place. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the correct position on your door because if it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and could be left in the open all day (or even night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to regulate when your cat can enter and leave. These are very helpful in the event that you are worried about your cat going out at night only to come back in because of the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be turned on to allow entry or exit, and some locks can be locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely. This is particularly beneficial for older or ill cats who aren't keen on going out in rainy weather.