Fitting a Cat Flap
It may seem difficult to put up a cat flap but with the right instructions, it's not too difficult. Decide how high you'd like the cat flap (normally, it is at belly height). Note this on the door, and use the template provided as a guide to drill.
If you have a kitten that is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to pass through. Reward the kitten every time it moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a great method to let your pet come and go inside and out of your home as it wants. This will keep your cat healthy since it will ensure it gets enough exercise and also be able to go back inside if it gets trapped outside in bad weather. This can reduce the time you allow your cat go in and out and also make your home safer by notifying you when it's left.
It is essential to make sure that the cat flap is installed correctly to stop your pet from being pushed through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home to make sure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is a little taller or shorter than average, you can alter the position of the flap by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the center of the door where you will put the flap. Then, using the marks as an indication, cut out the form of the flap with a jigsaw. After you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes that are required.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. However, the process can be slightly more complicated when you have to install it onto the door of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come with a wide range of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. We always suggest to consult with an expert for your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from hours of hearing your pet's cries for you to let it in or out. This is especially helpful for those who work all day and your cat has to stay in the house waiting for you to get home regardless of the weather.
It is important to first measure your cat before you attempt the installation. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is important to measure the right way or your cat may find it very difficult to use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You will need to hold them in a position where they cannot move and ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body, not bending in any place. You can take a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you have your cat's measurement and measurements, you need to examine the door to decide where to place the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot of noise as it moves back and forth.
It is also important to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. Although timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall structure, which can make fitting a cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
It is also worth studying the instructions included with the cat flap kit to find a template drawing that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the hole should be located and ensure that the template is placed precisely on the door. It is also a good idea to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template sits perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut a hole in the door panel for your cat flap before you can install it. This can be a challenging task and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter to complete this task if you don't have the knowledge or skills to complete the task yourself. You can also refer to the instructions provided with the kit to learn how to do it correctly.
You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good guideline is to set the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is roughly the average height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to move through the flap without difficulty and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you've determined where the cat flap should be positioned, mark this position on the door with a pencil. Next, if your kit comes with a paper template, lay it over the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. You should then be able cut out the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on a door made from wood or uPVC, it is possible to do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle a jigsaw. Make sure you don't 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 how you want it. Take your time, and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been made, carefully place the cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure it is firmly secured. If the flap has screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut then seal any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can encourage 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 pet has become accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap as it pleases. This lets you let it in and out whenever it's wanted.
You can install a cat flap into an UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a timber external door since the UPVC and glass doors don't have the same thickness. This can have a significant impact on how you cut the hole for the flap, and will also affect whether the flap will fit properly once it's been put in place.
Based on the type of cat flap you pick It may include a mounting kit as well as a template that shows exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to make one by yourself. When cutting, it's crucial to not push the jigsaw to the point that you create a bigger hole than necessary 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 install. 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 could be left out in the sun all day (or even at night).
Some cat flaps come with locks that allow you to regulate the time your cat comes and goes. These are very helpful when you're worried about your pet going out at night and then coming back in due to the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. Some locks can be used to lock entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for sick or older cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.