Fitting A Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can be a bit daunting, but it is fairly simple with the proper instructions. Decide how high you'd like the flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Mark this point on the door and then use the template provided as a guideline to drill.

If you have a young kitten, prop the door open a bit and gradually push it to go through. Reward the kitten each time it goes through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at the time that is convenient for you. This can help keep your cat healthy as it will ensure it is exercising regularly and be able to return inside if it gets trapped outside during bad weather. It can also cut down on the amount of time you'll have to let it in or out and will also help ensure your home is secure by letting you know when it has gone out.

It is important to ensure that the cat flap is placed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being pushed through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's belly as well as the width of the doorway at your home to ensure the flap is at the right height. You can alter the height of your flap if your cat is taller or smaller than average.

The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap within the door. After you have cut the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.

The process of installing a cat flap is not as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours for the entire task from start to completion. However, the process could be a little more complicated in the event that you have to put it onto the door of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come with various thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. This is the reason we recommend calling a professional to complete the job, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

You can save yourself hours of listening to the pet meow to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful if your cat is trapped inside during the winter months while you work.

It is important to first measure your cat before you begin the installation. It might seem like a straightforward task, but it's essential to get the measurements right. If not, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.

First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a position where they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. 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 have the measurement of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide on where to put the flap. The best option is to place the flap at the height of your cat's stomach as it will allow them to move through it without too much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot noise as it swings back and forth.

It is also important to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of the same thickness, upvc cat flap door panels and composite doors are different in their overall construction, which can make fitting a cat flap more complicated as you will need to make sure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.

It is also worthwhile reading through the directions included window with cat flap the kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark the location of the hole inside the door. This will help you to determine the location where the opening should be, and also to ensure that the template is properly placed on the door. It is also helpful 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'll need to cut the door's panel to make it large enough to accommodate it. It can be a difficult task, so it's recommended that you engage a professional to assist you if you do not have the expertise or experience. You can also consult the instructions included with the kit to discover how to do it right.

You can use the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. A good guideline is to set the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters off the ground, as this is approximately the average belly height for cats. This way, your cat will be able to go through the flap without difficulty and will also make the other cats or neighbours who are snooping difficult time trying to leave or enter.

Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using the pencil. If your kit comes with a paper template, lay this over the door and use the markings to drill holes into every corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.

If you are installing your cat flap in a door made from wood or upvc door panels cat flap, it is possible to do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle the jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut into the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or a circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.

Once the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure that it is solidly secured. If it features caps on the screws, then place them onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut and then seal any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts getting into your home.

Place the Flap

If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hand or a stick. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be in a position to move at will. This lets you let it in and out as it wants.

It is possible to fit the flap inside the UPVC doors or glass door, however it might not be as easy as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because the replacement upvc door panel with cat flap doors and certain types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This could have an enormous impact on how you cut the flap hole and also how well the flap fits after installation.

The mounting kit may contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can make one on your own. It's important to not use the jigsaw to in order to cut, so it doesn't create a larger than necessary hole in your door.

The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, however there are some that are circular and these are typically more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is in the correct spot on the door. If not, your cat might not be able to access it, and might be outside all day (or at night).

Certain cat flaps have locks that let you control the time your cat can enter and leave. These are very helpful if you're concerned about your cat going out at night and coming back in the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be engaged for entry or exit and some are locked in either direction permitting you to close the door completely. This is especially helpful for older or ill cats who don't want to go out in the rain.