Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to put up a cat flap, but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Firstly, determine how high you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on your door and then use the included template as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and encourage it to pass through. Reward the kitten every time it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at its convenience. This will keep your cat healthy as it will ensure that it gets enough exercise and also be able to return inside if it gets trapped in the elements during bad weather. It can also reduce the amount of time you'll have to let it out or in. It can also protect your home by allowing you to know when it has gone out.
However, it is important that the flap on your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to 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 correct height. You can adjust the position of your flap if your cat is taller or smaller than average.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the centre of the door that you will be installing the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guide, take the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap inside the door. After doors with cat flap have cut the area and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
The installation of a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process may be slightly more complicated if you need to fit it into the door of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come in a wide range of thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. We always suggest to contact a professional for your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of ignoring the pet meow to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful if your cat is trapped inside in all weathers while you work.
It is important to measure your cat's measurements first before you attempt the installation. It may seem like a simple task, but it is important to measure your cat correctly. If not, your cat might find it difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and also ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not bending in any place. 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 examine the door to decide the best place to place the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to walk through the door without much effort. This will also stop the flap making a lot of noise as it swings open and closed.
You will need to consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. Although timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall design and this can make the installation of the 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 cat flap kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to determine the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you determine where the opening needs to be, and also to make sure the template is correctly positioned on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is in a straight line against the door can be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make a hole in the door panel for your cat flap prior to you can install it. It's a challenging job 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.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good rule of thumb is to set the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap easily and will make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
The position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit comes with a template for paper, place this over the door and use the marks to drill holes into each corner of the template. Then, you should be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.
If you are installing your cat flap on the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if are comfortable with using a jigsaw. Be sure to not cut through any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a circle or square according to the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure it's firmly secured. If it features screw caps, then push them onto the protruding screws. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will stop the entry of draughts into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a little bit 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 used to walking through the flap it will be able to move in and out as it pleases so you can let it in or out without to open the door to allow it in all day (and likely in all weather conditions).
It is possible to install an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, however it's not as easy as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is because the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on how you cut the hole for the flap and could affect the way your flap is fitted correctly after it has been installed.
The mounting kit might include a template showing you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template you can use a photocopier to make your own. It's important not to push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't make a larger than needed hole in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular designs, which are more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, make sure that the hole is in the right place on your door. If not, your cat may not be able to use it, and may be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to regulate when your cat enters and leaves. These are useful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back in the dark. They can also be helpful when you are working all day. The lock can be used for entry or exit and some are locked in either direction allowing you to shut the door completely. This is particularly beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go out in rainy weather.