Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to install a cat flap but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Find out how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's at belly height). Mark this point on the door and then use the template provided as a guideline 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 each time it passes.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap lets your pet to go in and out of your home at any time. This will keep your cat in good health as it will ensure it is getting enough exercise and also be able to return inside if it is stranded in the elements during bad weather. This will cut down on the time you have to let your cat in or out, and keep your home safer by notifying you when it's left.

It is crucial that the cat flap is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's stomach and the size of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is longer or taller than the average, you can alter the position of the flap by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.

The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the center of the door that you will install the flap. With the markings as a guideline, you can use the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap within the door. Once you have cut out the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes that are required.

The installation of a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process may be a little more complicated in the event that you have to put it inside the door of a uPVC or composite door since these doors have various thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. We always recommend that you call a professional for your first time working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

You can save yourself hours of ignoring the pet meow to be let in or out. This is especially helpful if you are at working all day and your cat is stuck in the house waiting for you to get home regardless of the weather.

It is crucial to measure your cat's measurements first before you begin the installation. Although it might appear to be a simple operation it is essential to get the measurement right or your pet will be unable to use.

First, make sure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to hold them in a manner that they cannot move and make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body, not bending in any place. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail will enable you to get an precise measurement.

Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it's time to look at the door and decide on where you want to place the flap. It is advisable to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly as this will allow them to pass through it without much effort. This will also avoid the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and closed.

You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall design and this can make the installation of the cat flap more difficult 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 position of the hole on the door. This will help you to determine where the opening needs to be, and also to ensure that the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit-level to check that the template is right against the door will also be extremely helpful.

Cut the Flap

You'll need to make a hole in the door to accommodate your cat flap prior to you can attach it. It's a challenging job and it is recommended that you get a professional assist you if you don't have the expertise or experience. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the kit to find out how to do this correctly.

To do this, you will need to take a measurement of the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as an indicator point. As a rule of thumb, place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the stomach for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to get inside or out.

Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. If your kit includes the template put it on top of the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you'll be able cut out the template and replace it with the cat flap.

You can install your cat flap yourself inside a wood or uPVC door when you're confident with the use of a Jigsaw. Be sure not to cut into the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or a circle, depending on the design of your cat flap.  upvc door panel cat flap  and don't try to try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.

Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure it's solidly secured. If it features caps for screws, then put these caps onto the protruding screws. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will block drafts from entering your home.

Install the Flap

If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your pet has become used to walking through the flap it will be able to come and go as it pleases. This allows you to let it in and out whenever it wants.

It is possible to fit an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, but it's not as easy as installing one in a wooden external door. This is because the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors do not have a uniform 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.

Based on the type of cat flap you pick It may come with its own mounting kit and template that shows precisely where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can make one on your own. When cutting, it's crucial to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too far enough to create a bigger hole than necessary in your door.

Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, but there are some that are circular, and they are generally more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the right position on your door, because if it's not, your cat will not be able to use the flap and may be stuck out in the sun all day (or even at night).

Some models of cat flap have locks which allow you to control the time your cat comes and goes. These are useful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark, or coming back in the dark. They are also useful when you are working all day. The lock can be used for entry or exit and some can be locked in either direction allowing you to shut the door completely, which is especially helpful for cats with a chronic illness or older age who don't want to go out in the rain.