Fitting A Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to install a cat flap however, with the proper instructions it's not that hard. Firstly, determine how high you want the cat flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on the door and use the template included as a guideline to drill.

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

Measure the Door

A cat flap is a wonderful option to let your pet leave and come into and out of your house as it pleases. This can help with keeping your cat in good health by ensuring that it gets exercise and also being able to go back in if left outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you'll have to spend letting it in or out and can also ensure your home is secure by letting you be aware of when it went out.

However, it is essential that the flap for your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's stomach and the size of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the height of your flap when your cat is smaller or taller than average.

The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the markings as a guideline, cut out the shape of the flap on the door with the help of a Jigsaw. After cutting the area, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.

The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as difficult as you may believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire task from start to the end. However, the process may be a bit more difficult when you have to install it inside a uPVC or composite door because these doors come in a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. This is why we always recommend hiring an expert to do the job, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

You can avoid hours of listening to the pet meow to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful for those who work all day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home in all weathers.

If you are planning to install a cat flap in your door it is important to determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. Although it might seem like an easy task, it is essential to measure the right way or your cat will find it difficult to use.

Firstly, make sure your cat is relaxed and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You will need to hold them in a manner that they are not able to move, and make sure that the measuring tape or ruler 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've got the measurement of your cat, it's time to look at the door and decide on where you want 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 prevent the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and shut.

You must consider the thickness of the upvc door panel cat flap or composite door too. 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 as you will need to ensure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.

You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the opening must be and make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit-level to make sure that the template is sitting flush against the door can be very helpful.

Cut the Flap

Before you can install your cat flap, you'll have to cut the door panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This is a difficult task and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service to complete this task should you not have the skills or experience to do it yourself. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to learn how to do this correctly.

To do this, you will need to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as an indication point. A good rule of thumb is to put the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters from the ground as this is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap easily and make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.

Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. If your kit comes with an outline you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. After that, you'll be able cut out the template and replace it with the flap for cats.

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

Once the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure it is securely secured. If it features screw caps, then push these caps onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts entering into your home.

Place the Flap

If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can help your pet through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your pet is used to moving through the flap, it should be able to go into and out as it pleases, so you can let it out and in without to open the door for it all day (and likely in all weather conditions).

You can fit an animal flap inside an upvc door panels cat flap or glass door although this may not be as simple as fitting it into a wooden exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole and how well the flap fits after installation.

The mounting kit could include a template showing you the best places to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template, you can photocopy it to make your own. When cutting, it is important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too to the point that you make a larger hole than necessary in your door.

Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the proper position on your door because if it's not, your cat won't be able to use it and may be stuck outside all day (or even at night).

Some models of cat flap have locks that allow you to control when your cat comes and goes. These can be very useful in the event that you are concerned about your cat going out at night and coming back in the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. Certain locks can be used for entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for older cats or sick cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.