Fitting a Cat Flap
It can be difficult to install a cat flap however, with the proper instructions, it's not too difficult. First, decide how high you want the flap to be (on average the belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and use the template provided to help you drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby then gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to go through. Reward it when it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is an excellent way to let your pet move in and out of your house as it likes. This can help keep your cat in good health as it will ensure it is getting enough exercise and will also allow it to go back inside if it is trapped in the elements during bad weather. This can reduce the time you allow your cat in or out and make your home secure by letting you know when it has left.
It is important to ensure that the cat flap is set up correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway of your house so that you can ensure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the average, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
cat flap fitters near me is to utilize a spirit level mark the center of the door that you will put the flap. Then, using the markings as a guideline, cut out the form of your flap on the door with a Jigsaw. After cutting the area out then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
Fitting a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process may be slightly more complicated if you need to fit it into the door of a uPVC or composite door as these doors come in various thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. We recommend to consult with an expert for your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful for those who working all day and your cat is in the waiting room until you come home regardless of the weather.
It is essential to measure your cat first before you attempt the installation. Although it might seem like a simple operation it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will find it difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a manner that they cannot move and also make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any way. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail will allow you to make an accurate measurement.
Once you have your cat's measurement then you can look at the door to decide the best place to place the flap. It is advisable to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly because it will allow them to move through it with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making lots of noise when it swings open and shut.
You should think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While all timber doors have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This can make the process of putting in an enclosure for your cat more difficult since you need to ensure the hole is the proper size.
It is also worth studying the instructions included with the kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to determine the location of the hole in the door. This will help you to see the location where the opening should be, and also to ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. Using a spirit-level to make sure that the template is sitting right against the door can prove beneficial.
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 job and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting service for this job if you don't have the skills or experience to complete the task yourself. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to find out how to do this correctly.
To do this, you have to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as an indication point. In general you should place the flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. window with cat flap is the average height of the cat's belly. This way, your cat will be able to move through the flap with ease and will also make any other cats or curious neighbours difficult time trying to enter or leave.
Once you've decided where the cat flap should be positioned, mark this position on the door with pencil. Next, if your kit comes with a template for paper, place it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes in each corner of the template. You should then be able cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself in the door made of wood or uPVC If you're comfortable using a jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut into any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle depending on the way you'd like to cut it. Be patient and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is made then carefully insert the cat flap into its new location and make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by putting a little bit of cat food in front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using sticks or your hand. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap, it should be able to go in and out as it wants so you can let it in or out without to open the door for it all day (and likely in all weathers).
You can install the flap onto the UPVC or glass doors however it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a wood exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC and glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could affect how you cut the opening for the flap and will also affect whether the flap fits correctly once it's installed.
Based on the type of cat flap you choose, it may include a mounting kit and template that will show precisely where to drill holes for it. If the kit does not include an example you can use a photocopier to make your own. When cutting, it's important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too far enough to make a larger hole than necessary in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape but there are some that are circular, and they are generally more difficult to place. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is in the correct spot on the door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able to access it, and could be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you determine when your cat can enter and leave. These are very helpful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night and coming back in the darkness, or you're working all day. Some locks can be used for access or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for older cats or sick cats who do not want to venture out in cold weather.