Fitting A Cat Flap
The process of installing a cat flap may appear daunting, but it is fairly simple window with cat flap the proper instructions. First, decide how high you want the cat flap to be (on average, belly height). Mark this point on your door, and use the included template as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten hold the door open very slightly and gradually push it to go through. Reward the kitten as it passes.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to move into and out of your home at any time. This will keep your cat healthy as it will ensure that it is getting enough exercise and also be able to go back inside when it is stranded outside in bad weather. It can also reduce the amount of time you need to spend letting it out or in and will also help keep your home safe by allowing you to be aware of when it went out.
However, it is essential that the cat flap is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the entrance to your home in order to make sure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is a little longer or taller than the average, you can alter 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 center of the door that you will be installing the flap. Then, using the mark as an outline, cut the contour of your flap with a Jigsaw. Once you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes needed.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take longer than two hours. The process is slightly more difficult if you have to install it in a uPVC door or composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors are available in different thicknesses, which could affect the way that holes are cut. We always suggest to consult with an expert if this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of ignoring the pet meow to be let in or out. This is especially useful when your cat is inside during the winter months while you are at work.
It is essential to first measure your cat before you attempt the installation. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is essential to get the measurement right or your cat may find it very difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm before you begin 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 straight and not bent against their body. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the tip of their tail will enable you to determine an accurate measurement.
Once you've got your cat's measurements then you can look at the door to decide the best place to place the flap. It is advisable to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly as this will allow them to pass through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise when it swings back and forth.
You should also consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This could make the process of the process of putting in an enclosure for your cat more difficult since you must ensure that the hole is of the correct size.
It is also worth reading through the directions that come with the cat flap kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to determine the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you to see where the opening needs to be and make sure that the template is placed correctly on the door. It is also helpful to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is placed flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap installer flap, you'll must cut the door panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This can be a tricky job and it is recommended to seek the help of an expert cat flap fitter for this step if you don't have the knowledge or skills to complete the task yourself. You can also read the instructions provided with the kit to learn how to do it right.
To do this you need to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly. Use this as a reference point. As a general rule you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the typical height of the belly for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap with ease and make it more difficult for other cats or nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Once you've decided where the cat flap should be located, mark the location on the door using the help of a pencil. Then, if your kit includes an outline of paper, place it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes in every corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install the cat flap yourself in the door made of wood or upvc door panels cat flap If you're comfortable using the Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut through any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square according to the way you want it. Remember to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut then carefully insert the cat flap into its new location and make sure that it is securely fixed. If it features caps for screws, then put them onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut then seal any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a small amount of cat flap bifold doors food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hands or a stick. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap, it is likely to be able into and out as it wants so you can let it out or in without keeping the door open to allow it in all day (and possibly in any weather).
You can install an animal flap inside an UPVC or glass door but it's not as simple as fitting one into a wood external door because the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could have a significant impact on how you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
Based on the type of cat flap you pick It could come with its own mounting kit and template that shows precisely where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include an example you can copy it to create your own. It's important not to press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't leave a bigger than necessary hole in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular designs, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a round flap, make sure the hole is located in the right place on your door. Otherwise, the cat flap fitting might not be able use it, and might be stuck outside the whole day (or night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you control the time your cat enters and leaves. This is useful for pets who are afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back inside at night. They are also useful for those who work all day. Some locks can be used for either entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is beneficial for sick or older cats who do not want to venture out in cold weather.