Fitting A Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can be a bit daunting, but it is fairly simple to install by following the correct instructions. Find out how high you'd like the cat flap (normally, it is at the belly height). Then, mark this area on the door and use the template included as a reference to drill.

If you have a young kitten hold the door slightly open and gradually push it to go through. Reward the kitten each time it passes.

Measure the Door

A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at any time. This can keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it is getting enough exercise and also be able to go back inside if it is stranded in the elements during bad weather. This will cut down on the time you allow your cat in or out and also make your home secure by notifying you when it has left.

It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is set up correctly to stop your pet from being forced through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's belly and the size of the doorway at your home to ensure the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is larger or shorter than the average, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.

The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door, where you will be installing the flap. With the markings as a reference, use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap in the door. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes required.

Installing a cat flap ought to not take longer than two hours. However, the process could be slightly more complicated when you have to install it onto the door of a upvc door panel cat flap or composite door because these doors come in a wide range of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. We always recommend to contact a professional for your first time working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

A cat flap can save you from hearing your pet's cries for you to let it in or out. This is especially helpful for those who work most of the day and your cat is in the waiting room until you come home in all weathers.

If you want to fit a cat flap in your door it is important to measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is essential to get the measurement right or your cat will find it difficult to use.

Firstly, make sure your cat is relaxed and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You will need to hold them in a manner that they cannot move and also make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body, not bending in any place. Holding the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the bottom of their tail will allow you to make an precise measurement.

Once you've got the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where you want to place the flap. It is advisable to position the flap in the middle of your cat's belly as it will allow them to move through it without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making too much noise as it moves back and forward.

You must take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While timber doors are of a similar thickness, upvc door panel with cat flap and composite doors can be very different in their overall construction, which can make fitting a cat flap more complicated because you must make sure the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.

You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will help you to see where the opening must be and make sure that the template is placed correctly on the door. It is also helpful to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is in a straight line against the door.

Cut the Flap

Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll need to cut the door's panel to make it large enough to accommodate it. This is a difficult job and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitter to complete this task in case you don't have the skills or experience to do it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions provided in the kit to find out how to do it correctly.

To do this, you will need to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as an indication point. A good guideline is to put the flap around 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This way your cat can move through the flap with ease and will also make any other cats or curious neighbours an issue when trying to leave or enter.

Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. If your kit comes with the template put it on top of the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at 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 an entryway made of wood or uPVC, it is possible to do this yourself if you feel confident enough to handle the jigsaw. Be careful not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square, depending on how you'd like to cut it. Take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.

Once the hole is made, carefully fit the flap onto its new home and make sure that it is firmly secured. If it has screw caps, then push them onto the protruding screws. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts 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. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through with your hands or with a stick. Once your pet has become comfortable walking through the flap, it will be able to come and go as it pleases. This allows you to let it in and out as it's wanted.

It is possible to fit an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door however it's not as simple as fitting it into a wooden external door because the UPVC doors and some glass cat flap installation near me doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut the flap's hole and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.

The mounting kit might contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not come with a template, you can create one yourself. When cutting, it is important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too to the point that you make a larger hole than you need in your door.

Some cat flaps are available in circular designs, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, ensure that the hole is in the right place on the door. If not, your cat might not be able use it, and may be stuck outside the whole day (or night).

Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to control the time your cat enters and Fitting a cat flap leaves. These are very helpful when you're worried about your pet going out at night only to come back in the darkness, or fitting a cat flap you're at work for the entire day. Certain locks can be used to lock entry or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for older cats or sick cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.