Fitting A Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might appear daunting however it's actually quite easy to do by following the correct instructions. Find out how high you'd like the flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Then, mark this area on the door and use the template as a reference to drill.

If you have a young kitten hold the door open very slightly and gradually encourage it to go through. Reward the kitten every time it moves through.

Measure the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to enter and exit your home at any time. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise and also being able to go back in if left outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you'll have to allow it in or out and can also protect your home by letting you know when it's been out.

It is important to make sure 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 important to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home so that you can ensure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is larger or shorter than the normal, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.

The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door where you will be installing the flap. Utilizing the marking as a reference, use a jigsaw and cut out the form of the flap in the door. After you have cut the flap and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.

Installing a cat flap ought to not take longer than two hours. However, the process may be slightly more complicated in the event that you have to put it onto the frame of a uPVC or composite door because these doors have a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed to. We always suggest that you call a professional when this is your first experience working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

You can avoid hours of listening to the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly useful if you are at work most of the day and your cat is in the waiting room until you come home regardless of the weather.

It is important to measure your cat first before you attempt the installation. It might seem like a simple task, but it's important to get the measurements right. If not, your cat flap in upvc door panel may find it difficult to use.

First, make sure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll 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 way. You can get 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, it is time to look at the door and decide where to put the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap making lots of noise when it swings open and shut.

You will need to take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall structure. This can make the process of putting in an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you must ensure that the hole is of the correct size.

It is also worthwhile reading through the directions that come with the cat flap kit to find an outline of the template that can be used to determine the location of the hole inside the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole must be located and make sure that the template is positioned properly on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to make sure that the template is in a straight line against the door will also prove beneficial.

Cut the Flap

You'll need to make an opening in the door panel to install your cat flap before you can put it in place. This is a difficult task and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service to complete this task if you don't have the skills or experience to do it yourself. It is also recommended that you read the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do this correctly.

To do this, you will need to take a measurement of the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as a reference point. A good guideline is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This way, your cat will be able to go through the flap comfortably and it will also give other cats or snooping neighbours an issue when trying to get in or out.

Once you've determined where the cat flap should be positioned, mark this position on the door with the help of a pencil. If your kit includes an outline, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes in each corner. Then, you should be able to cut the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.

If you are installing your cat flap on an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle using a Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or a circle according to the design of your cat flap. Remember to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.

Once the hole is cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new home. Make sure that it is solidly secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts entering into your home.

Fit the Flap

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

It is possible to fit the flap onto a replacement upvc door panels with cat flap or glass door but it's not as simple as fitting it into a wooden external door because UPVC and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This can have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the opening for the flap and could affect the way your flap is fitted correctly after it has installed.

The mounting kit might contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to make one by yourself. It's important to not push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't create a larger than necessary hole in your door.

The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are also some which are circular and these are typically more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door because in the event that it's not, the cat can't use it and may be stuck outside all day (or even night).

Certain cat flaps come with locks that let you regulate when your cat is allowed to enter and leave. These are very helpful if you're concerned about your cat flap bifold doors going out at night and then coming back in because of the darkness, or if you're at work for the entire day. Certain locks can be used for access or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for sick or older cats who don't want to venture out in cold weather.