Fitting a Cat Flap
The process of installing a cat flap may be a bit daunting, but it is fairly easy to do with the proper instructions. Determine how high you would like the cat flap (normally it's located at the belly height). Note this on the door, and use the template as a guide to drill.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door open very slightly and gradually encourage it to go through. Reward the kitten each time it moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is an excellent option to allow your pet to leave and come into and out of your home as it likes. This can help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is exercising and also being able to get back in if it is trapped outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. It can also cut down on the amount of time you need to allow it out or in. It can also ensure your home is secure by letting you be aware of when it went out.
It is crucial that the flap on your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the size of the doorway in your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the position of your flap if your cat is taller or less than the average.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the center of the door where you will install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guide, take an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap within 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 can be a little more complicated if you need to fit it into the frame of a uPVC or composite door as these doors have various thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. This is why we always recommend hiring a professional to complete the work, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is especially useful if your cat is trapped in the house during all seasons when you are at work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap in your door, it is crucial that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. While it may seem a simple operation it is crucial to measure the right way or your pet will find it very difficult to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not feeling anxious prior to taking the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a position where they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. 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've figured out the measurements of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide on where you want to place the flap. It is advisable to place the flap in the middle of your cat's belly because this will help them to get through it without too much effort. This will also stop the flap from making lots of noise when it swings open and closed.
You will need to consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall design, which can make fitting a cat flap more complicated as you will need to make sure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole on the door. This will allow you determine where the opening must be, and also to make sure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also beneficial to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template sits in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut a hole in the door to accommodate your cat flap before you can install it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended to seek the help of a professional cat flap fitter for this step should you not have the expertise or knowledge to complete the task yourself. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the kit to discover how to do this properly.
To do this, you will need to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as an indicator point. A good rule of thumb is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is approximately the average belly height for cats. This way your cat will be able to go through the flap comfortably and also give other cats or snooping neighbours an issue when trying to leave or enter.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit has a template, place it over the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. You will then be able to cut 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, you can do this yourself if you are comfortable with a jigsaw. Be careful not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square depending on the design of your cat flap. cat flap fitters near me and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new home. Make sure that it is solidly secured. If the flap has screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block the entry of draughts into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a little bit of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also push the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap it will be able to move into and out as it wants and you should be able to let it in or out without having to be there to open the door to allow it in all day (and possibly in all weathers).
You can fit an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door but it's not exactly the same as fitting one into a wood external door because the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can have a major impact on the way you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
The mounting kit could contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to create one yourself. It's important to not push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't make a larger than necessary hole in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular designs, which are more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, make sure the hole is located in the correct place on the door. If not, your cat might not be able to use it, and could be outside all day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you determine when your cat enters and leaves. These are very helpful when you're worried about your pet going out at night and then coming back in the darkness, or if you're at work for the entire day. Some locks can be used for entry or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for older cats or sick cats who do not want to venture out in cold weather.