Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to put up a cat flap however, with the proper instructions it's not that hard. Decide how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's at the belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and use the template provided to guide you when drilling.

If you have a kitten that is still a newborn then gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to go through. Reward the kitten each time it moves through.

Measure the Door

A cat flap is an excellent option to let your pet leave and come inside and out of your home as it wants. This can help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise and also being able to get back inside if left outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you have to spend letting it out or in and will also help ensure your home is secure by letting you know when it's been out.

It is important to make sure that the cat flap is placed properly to stop your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the height of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the height of your flap when your cat is taller or smaller than the average.

Then, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap in the door. After you've cut the area and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.

The process of fitting a cat flap is not as difficult as you think and it should not take more than two hours to finish the entire job from start to the end. However, the process can be a bit more difficult in the event that you have to put it inside a uPVC or composite door because these doors have an array of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are inserted into. This is why we always recommend calling a professional to carry out the work, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

A cat flap can spare you from hours of listening to your pet's meow for you to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful if your cat is trapped inside in all weathers while you work.

It is crucial to first measure your cat before attempting to install. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your pet will find it difficult to use.

First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place where they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. By keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail can allow you to get an accurate measurement.

Once you've got your cat's measurements, it's time to examine the door to decide the best place to place the flap. The best option is to place the flap in the middle of your cat's stomach as it will allow them to get through it without too much effort. This will also avoid the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and closed.

You must take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This can make fitting a flap for your cat more difficult as you have to make sure that the hole is of the correct size.

It is also worth looking through the instructions included with the kit to find an illustration template that can be used to determine the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole should be placed and ensure that the template is positioned correctly on the door. Using a spirit-level to ensure that the template is sitting flush against the door will also be very helpful.

Cut the Flap

You'll need to make a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can put it in place. This can be a daunting job and it is recommended that you engage a professional to assist you if you don't have the skills or experience. It is also recommended that you consult the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to find out how to do it correctly.

To do this, you will need to determine the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as a reference point. A good rule of thumb is to put the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters off the ground, as this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and make it more difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to get inside or out.

Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using the pencil. If your kit includes the template put it on top of the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. 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 the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle a Jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut through any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or a circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Take your time, and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.

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

Place the Flap

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

You can install an animal flap inside an UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a wood external door since the UPVC and glass doors don't have the same thickness. cat flap installers can have a major impact on the way you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.

The mounting kit might include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include an example you can copy 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 is necessary in your door.

Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door, because if it's not, your cat will not be able to use the flap and could be stranded outside all day (or even night).

Certain models of cat flaps have locks which permit you to control the time your cat comes and goes. These can be very useful if you're concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in because of the darkness, or if you're at work for the entire day. Some locks can be used for entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.