Fitting A Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to put up a cat flap but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Determine how high you would like the flap to be (normally it's located at belly height). Note this on the door and use the template included as a guide to drill.

If you have a young kitten, prop the door slightly open and gradually encourage it to go through. Reward it as it passes through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at any time. This will help keep your cat flap installation in good health by ensuring that it is exercising as well as being able to get back in if it is left outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you need to let it in or out and can protect your home by allowing you to know when it has gone out.

It is important to ensure that the cat flap is set up properly to stop your pet from being pushed through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly and the entrance to your home in order to make sure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the average, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it up or down a small amount.

Then, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Then, using the mark as a guideline, cut out the form of the flap with the aid of a Jigsaw. Once you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes needed.

The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as difficult as you think and it should not take more than two hours for the entire process from beginning to the end. The process is slightly more complicated if you are required to install it on a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors with cat flap come in different thicknesses, which could affect the way the holes are cut. This is why we recommend hiring a professional to carry out the job, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

A cat flap will save you from hearing your pet's cries for you to let it in or out. This is particularly useful if you are at work most of the day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home in any weather.

It is essential to measure your cat's measurements first before attempting to install. It may seem like a simple task, but it is crucial to measure your cat correctly. If not, your cat may find it difficult to use.

First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved 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 your cat's measurements and measurements, you need to examine the door to decide where to place the flap. Place the flap 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 quite a lot of noise when it opens and closes.

You should also think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. Although timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall structure and can make fitting a cat flap more difficult as you will need to make sure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.

You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole on the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole needs to be located and make sure that the template is positioned properly on the door. Using a spirit-level to ensure that the template is in a straight line against the door will prove beneficial.

Cut the Flap

Before you can install your cat flap, you'll have to cut the door panel to make it large enough to accommodate it. This is a difficult task and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service for this step should you not have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. It is also recommended that you review the directions that come with the kit to discover how to do this properly.

You can use the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. In general put the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the stomach for cats. Your cat will be able to move through the flap with ease and it will also give any other cats or curious neighbours an issue when trying to get in or out.

The position of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. If your kit includes an outline of paper, place this over the door and use the markings to drill holes in each corner of the template. Then, you'll be able to cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap installation flap.

You can put in your cat flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door If you're comfortable with the Jigsaw. Be sure to not cut into any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle depending on the way you'd like to cut it. Be patient, and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.

Once the hole is made then carefully insert the flap onto its new home and make sure that it is firmly fixed. If it has caps on the screws, then place these caps onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.

Place the Flap

If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the front of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your cat is used to moving through the flap, it will be in a position to move as it pleases. This lets you let it in and out at any time it's wanted.

You can fit a cat flap into a UPVC or glass door but it's not as simple as fitting one into a wood exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC and glass doors with cat flap don't have a consistent thickness. This could have a significant impact on how you cut out the flap's hole, and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.

The mounting kit might include a template showing you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with the template, you can photocopy it to make your own. When cutting, it's important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too hard so that you don't make a larger hole than is necessary in your door.

The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are also some which are circular, and they are typically 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 in the event that it's not, the cat will not be able to use the flap and could be stranded outside all day (or even at night).

Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to control the time your cat enters and leaves. These are very helpful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night and then coming back in the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be engaged to allow or deny entry, and some can be locked in either direction permitting you to close the door completely. This is especially helpful for older or ill cats who aren't willing to go out in bad weather.