Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can seem intimidating, but it is fairly simple to install with the proper instructions. First, decide how high you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on your door and use the template provided to guide you when drilling.
If you have a young kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually encourage it to pass through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to enter and exit your home at the time that is convenient for you. This will keep your cat in good health as it will ensure it is getting enough exercise and will also allow it to go back inside if it is stranded outside during bad weather. This will cut down on the time you spend letting your cat in or out, and keep your home secure by notifying you when it's gone.
However, it is important that the cat flap is properly fitted to stop your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine your pet's belly height and the doorway of your house so that you can make sure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is a little longer or taller than the average, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it up or down a small amount.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap in the door. After you've cut the area then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. The process can be slightly more challenging if you need to install it in a uPVC door or a composite one. cat flap installer is due to the fact that these doors are available in a variety of thicknesses, which could affect the way that holes are cut. We always suggest to consult with an expert when this is your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of listening to the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is especially helpful for those who work most of the day and your cat is in the waiting room until you come home in all weathers.
It is essential to measure your cat first before you begin the installation. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is essential to get the measurement right or your cat may be unable to use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is relaxed and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against the body. cat flap installers can get 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 figured out the measurements of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide on where to place the flap. The best option is to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly as this will allow them to move through it without too much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot noise when it swings back and back.
You should also take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have the same thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall design. This can make fitting the flap for your cat more difficult as you have to make sure that the hole is the proper size.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the opening on the door. This will help you determine where the hole needs to be located and make sure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to check that the template is sitting right against the door can be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap, you'll need to cut the door panel in order to make it large enough to accommodate it. It can be a difficult task so it's recommended you engage a professional to help you if you lack the skills or experience. cat flap installation can also refer to the instructions included in the kit to find out how to do it right.
You can take the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. As a general rule put the flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to move through the flap without difficulty and make it more difficult for other cats and nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. Then, if your kit includes a paper template, lay it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes into each corner of the template. You should then be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you can do this yourself if you are comfortable with a Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut into the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle, depending on how you want it. Remember to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully fit the cat flap into its new home and ensure that it is securely fixed. If it features caps on the screws, then place these onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then seal any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also push the cat with a stick or your hand. Once your cat has become accustomed to walking through the flap it will be able to come and go as it pleases. This will allow you to let it in and out at any time it wishes.
It is possible to fit a cat flap into a UPVC or glass door although this may not be as simple as fitting one into a wood external door because the UPVC and glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can affect how you cut the hole for the flap, and could affect the way your flap will fit properly once it's been put in place.
The mounting kit could contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit does not come with a template, you can create one by yourself. When cutting, it is important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too far enough to make a larger hole than you need in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape but there are also some which are circular, and are generally more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door, because if it's not, the cat can't use it and could be stranded out in the sun all day (or even night).
Some cat flaps have locks which allow you to manage when your cat comes in and goes. This is useful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark or returning to the house at night. They can also be helpful if you work all day. Some locks can be used for either entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to venture out in cold weather.