Fitting A Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might seem intimidating however it's actually quite easy to do with the proper instructions. Determine how high you would like your cat flap to be (normally it's at belly height). Mark this point on your door and use the included template as a guide when drilling.

If you have a young kitten, prop the door slightly open and gradually allow it to go through. Reward the kitten every time it moves through.

Measure the Door

A cat flap is a great option to allow your pet to leave and come into and out of your home whenever it wants. This can help with keeping your cat in good health by ensuring that it gets exercise and also being able to get back inside if stuck outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat out or in and also make your home safer by letting you know when it's left.

It is crucial that the flap on your cat is properly fitted to stop your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the height of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is longer or taller than the average, you can alter the position of the flap by moving it up or down a small amount.

The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Then, using the markings as a guideline, cut out the form of your flap on the door with a jigsaw. After you have cut the area, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.

Installing a cat flap ought to not take longer than two hours. The process can be slightly more difficult if you have to install it on the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which can affect the way that holes are cut. We always suggest to consult with a professional when this is your first experience with glass.

Measure Your Cat

You can save yourself hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly useful for those who work most of the day and your cat is stuck inside waiting until you get home regardless of the weather.

It is crucial to measure your cat's measurements first before you begin the installation. It may seem like a straightforward task, but it's important to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat might find it difficult to use.

First, make sure your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a way that they cannot move and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any place. You can take 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 have the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide where you want to place the flap. The best option is to place the flap in the middle of your cat flap installer's stomach as this will help them to get through it with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap making lots of noise when it swings open and shut.

You should take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While all timber doors have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall design. This makes the installation of an enclosure for your cat more difficult since you must ensure that the hole is the proper size.

You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the hole needs to be located and ensure that the template is positioned correctly on the door. Using a spirit-level to check that the template is sitting flush against the door can be very helpful.

Cut the Flap

You will need to cut a hole in the door panel for your cat flap before you can attach it. This is a difficult job, and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting a cat flap [you can find out more] service for this step if you don't have the skills or experience to tackle it yourself. You can also read the instructions provided in the kit to find out how to do it properly.

To do this, you have to take a measurement of the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as an indicator point. A good rule of thumb is to put the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters away from the ground since this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. This way, your cat will be able to move through the flap without difficulty and also give other cats or snooping neighbours an issue when trying to get in or out.

Once you've decided the location where the cat flap needs to be positioned, mark this location on the door using the help of a pencil. If your kit has an outline of paper, place it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes into each corner of the template. You will then be able cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.

If you are installing your cat flap in a door made from wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if you are confident enough to use using a jigsaw. Be sure to not cut into any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Remember to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.

Once the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new home. Make sure it's securely secured. If it has screw caps, then push these onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into your home.

Place the Flap

If you have a basic cat flap you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by putting a little bit of cat food in front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hand or a stick. Once your cat has become accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be able to come and go at will. This will allow you to let it in and out whenever it wishes.

It is possible to install a cat flap in a UPVC door or a glass door, however it might not be as easy as installing one in 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 could have an enormous impact on how you cut the flap's hole, and how well the flap fits after installation.

The mounting kit might contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include the template you can use a photocopier to make your own. When cutting, it is important to not push the jigsaw to the point that you create a bigger hole than is necessary in your door.

Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the correct position on your door, because if it's not, your cat can't use it and may be stuck out in the sun all day (or even night).

Some cat flaps come with locks that permit you to regulate the time your cat comes and goes. They can be extremely useful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night and then coming back in due to the darkness, or if you're working all day. Some locks can be used to lock entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is beneficial for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.