Fitting A Cat Flap
It can be difficult to install the flap for your cat however, with the proper instructions, it's not too difficult. Firstly, determine how high you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on your door and use the included template to help you drill.
If you have a small kitten hold the door slightly open and gradually allow it to enter. Reward it each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to enter and exit your home at its convenience. This can keep your cat healthy since it will ensure that it is getting enough exercise and be able to go back inside if it gets trapped outside in bad weather. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat go in and out and also make your home safer by notifying you when it's left.
It is important to ensure that the cat flap is placed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's belly and the width of the doorway at your home to ensure the flap is at the right height. If your cat is a little taller or shorter than average, you can adjust the position of the flap by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door, where you will put the flap. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap within the door. Once you have cut out the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes needed.
The process of installing a cat flap is not as difficult as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire job from start to the end. However, the process could be a bit more difficult in the event that you have to put it onto a uPVC or composite door as these doors come with various thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed into. We recommend that you call an expert for your first experience with glass cat flap installation near me.
Measure Your cat flap insulation
A cat flap fitting near me flap can save you from hours of hearing your pet's cries for you to let it in or out. This is especially useful for cats that are inside during the winter months while you are at work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap in your door it is important to take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. Although it might seem like a simple operation it is essential to make sure you measure correctly or your cat may find it difficult to use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position where 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 ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat, it is time to look at the door and decide where to put the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise as it moves back and forth.
You will need to consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While all timber doors have the same thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall structure. This makes the process of putting in the flap for your cat more difficult as you need to ensure the hole is of the correct size.
You can make use of the template 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 make sure that the template is set correctly on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting flush against the door will also be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make a hole in the door to accommodate your cat flap prior to you can attach it. This can be a tricky job, and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service for this job should you not have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. You can also consult the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do it right.
To do this, you have to determine the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as an indication point. As a rule of thumb, place the cat flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the stomach for cats. This way, your cat will be able to go through the flap comfortably and will also make the other cats or neighbours who are snooping a tough time trying to enter or leave.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with pencil. Next, if your kit comes with an outline of paper, place this over the door and use the markings to drill holes into every corner of the template. After that, you'll be able to cut out the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.
If you are installing your cat flap inside a door made from wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if you feel confident enough to handle using a 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 circle or square depending on the way you'd like it. Take your time, and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the cat flap into its new home and make sure that it is securely fixed. If it features caps on the screws, then place them onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by putting a small amount of cat food in front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with sticks or your hand. Once your cat has become accustomed to moving through the flap, it will be in a position to move whenever it wants. This will allow you to let it in and out whenever it's wanted.
It is possible to fit a cat flap into a UPVC or glass door but it's not exactly the same as fitting one into a timber external door because the replacement upvc door panel with cat flap and glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could have a significant impact on how you cut out the flap's hole, and how well the flap fits after installation.
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 create your own. It's important not to use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so that it doesn't leave a bigger than needed hole in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the right position on your door because if it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and may be stuck in the open all day (or even at night).
Some cat flaps have locks which allow you to manage when your cat comes in and goes. These can be very useful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night and coming back in because of the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. Certain locks can be used for either entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is useful for older cats or sick cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.