Fitting A Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may appear daunting, but it is fairly easy to do with the right instructions. First, determine the height you want the cat flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on the door and use the template as a reference to drill.

If you have a small kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually push it to enter. Reward the kitten as it passes.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap is a wonderful method to let your pet leave and come in and out of your home as it pleases. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it gets exercise and also being able to come back in if left outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. This can reduce the time you spend letting your cat go in and out and also make your home safer by letting you know when it has left.

However, it is important that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's stomach and the height of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is taller or shorter than average, you can adjust the flap's height 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 be installing the flap. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap inside the door. Once you have cut out the area, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are required.

Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process could be slightly more complicated when you have to install it onto the door of a uPVC or composite door because these doors come with a wide range of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. This is the reason we recommend hiring a professional to carry out the work, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

You can avoid hours of ignoring the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful when your cat is inside in all weathers while you are at work.

It is essential to measure your cat first before attempting to install. It may seem like a simple task, but it's important to get the measurements right. If not, your cat may find it difficult to use.

First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not feeling stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to hold them in a way that they are not able to move, and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any way. Holding the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the tip of their tail will allow you to make an precise measurement.

Once you have the measurement of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where to put 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 stop the flap making quite a lot of noise when it opens and closes.

You must think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. Although timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall construction and can make fitting a cat flap more complicated because you must make sure the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.

It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to find an illustration template that can be used to mark the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you determine where the opening needs to be and also make sure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also beneficial to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is perfectly against the door.

Cut the Flap

You'll need to make a hole in the door panel for your cat flap prior to you can put it in place. This is a difficult task and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap installation bristol (https://www.bitsdujour.com/Profiles/C3XCQC) flap fitter for this step in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. You can also consult the instructions provided with the kit to discover how much to install a cat flap to do it correctly.

You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. In general put the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average height of the cat flap installation cost near me's belly. This way your cat can move through the flap without difficulty and also give any other cats or curious neighbours an issue when trying to get in or out.

Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. If your kit has an outline put it on top of the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. Then, you should be able cut out the template and replace it with the flap for cats.

You can install the cat flap yourself in a wood or uPVC door if you are confident using the Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle depending on the way you'd like it. Be patient and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.

Once the hole is made then carefully insert the flap onto its new location and make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap has screws put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block the entry of draughts into your home.

Place the Flap

If you have a simple cat flap installation near me flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also push the cat with sticks or your hand. Once your cat is comfortable moving 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 wants.

It is possible to fit the flap onto the UPVC or glass doors but it's not as simple as fitting one into a wood external door because the UPVC and glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can have a major impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.

Depending on the type of cat flap you choose It could include a mounting kit and a template that shows exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit does not include an example, you can photocopy it to make your own. It's important to not press the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't make a larger than necessary hole in your door.

The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, however there are some that are circular, and they are typically more difficult to place. If you have a round flap, make sure the hole is in the correct spot on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able to access it, and may be locked outside for the entire day (or at night).

Certain cat flaps come with locks that let you control the time your cat is allowed to enter and leave. These are useful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark or returning in the dark. They can also be useful when you are 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 older cats who do not want to venture out in cold weather.