Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to install the flap for your cat however, with the proper instructions it's not that hard. Find out how high you'd like the cat flap (normally, it is at belly height). Mark this point on your door, and use the template provided to help you drill.
If you have a young kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually encourage it to enter. Reward it when it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a wonderful option to allow your pet to move inside and out of your home whenever it pleases. This will help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is exercising and also being able to get back in if it is stuck outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. It can also reduce the amount of time you'll have to let it in or out and can ensure your home is secure by letting you know when it's been out.
However, it is essential that the flap on your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from escaping 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 and the doorway to your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. You can alter the height of your flap in case your cat is taller or less than average.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the center of the door that you will install the flap. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap inside the door. After you've cut the area, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes needed.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. The process is a bit more complicated if you are required to put it in the form of a uPVC door or composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors come in various thicknesses, which can affect the way holes are cut. This is why we recommend calling an expert to do the job, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of listening to the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful for cats that are inside in all weathers when you are at work.
If you're planning to put a cat flap on your door it is important that you measure your cat before attempting the task. It might seem like a simple task, but it's crucial to make sure you measure the right measurements. Otherwise, your pet may find it difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not arching in any places. You 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's time to take a look at the door and decide where you want to place the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise as it opens and closes.
You will need to consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While timber doors are all of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall structure and can make fitting a cat flap more difficult because you must make sure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile studying the instructions included with the kit to find an illustration template that can be used to mark out the position of the hole in the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole should be placed and ensure that the template is set correctly on the door. It is also beneficial to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you must cut the door panel in order to create a space large enough to accommodate it. It's a challenging job and it is recommended that you engage a professional to assist you if you don't have the expertise or experience. You can also consult the instructions included with the kit to discover how to do it right.
To do this you need to measure the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as a reference point. A good rule of thumb is to place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap without difficulty and make it more difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using pencil. If your kit has an outline of paper, place this over the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. After that, you'll be able cut out the template and replace it with the cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door if you are confident using the use of a Jigsaw. Be sure not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap of cat food into its new home and ensure that it is securely fixed. If it features screw caps, then push these onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by putting a little bit of cat food in the front of the door. You can also push the cat with the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is used to moving through the flap, it will be able to move in and out as it wants, so you can let it in or out without having to be there holding the door open to allow it in all day (and possibly in all weather conditions).
It is possible to install an animal flap into the UPVC doors or glass door, however it may not be as easy as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This can have a significant impact on the way you cut the opening for the flap and can also affect whether your flap is fitted correctly after it has been installed.
The mounting kit might contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with an example, you can photocopy it to create your own. When cutting, it is important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too hard so that you don't make a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular designs, which are more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, make sure that the hole is in the correct spot on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able use it, and might be stuck outside the whole day (or night).
cat flap step come with locks that allow you to determine when your cat can enter and leave. These are useful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark or coming back inside at night. They can also be helpful when you are working all day. Certain locks can be used for entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.