Fitting A Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to put up the flap for your cat but with the right instructions it's not that hard. First, decide how high you would like the flap to be (on average, belly height). Note this on the door and use the template included as a guideline to drill.

If you have a kitten who is still a baby then gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to pass through. Reward the kitten each time it goes through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap is an excellent way to let your pet come and go into and out of your house as it pleases. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by making sure that it is exercising and also being able to go back in if it is trapped outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you have to allow it out or in. It can also ensure your home is secure by letting you be aware of when it went out.

However, it is important that the cat flap is properly fitted to stop your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway to your home in order to make sure that the flap is at the proper height. You can alter the height of your flap in case your cat is taller or smaller than average.

Next, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Then, using the marks as a guideline, cut out the contour of the flap with the aid of a jigsaw. After you have cut the flap, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.

fitting a cat flap in a upvc door a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process may be a little more complicated when you have to install it inside the frame of a uPVC or composite door since these doors have a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are inserted into. This is why we always recommend calling a professional to carry out the task, especially when you've never dealt with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

You can avoid hours of listening to the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful when you're at working all day and your cat has to stay inside waiting until you get home in any weather.

It is important to measure your cat's measurements first before attempting to install. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is crucial to measure the right way or your cat will find it very difficult to use.

First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. By keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail will enable you to make an accurate measurement.

Once you've got your cat's measurement then you can look at the door to determine the best place to place the flap. The best option is to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly because this will allow them to pass through it with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise when it swings back and forward.

You will need to take into consideration the thickness of the upvc door panel with cat flap or composite door too. While timber doors are all of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall design and this can make the installation of the cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.

It is also worth reading through the directions that come with the cat flap kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to determine the location of the hole inside the door. This will help you determine where the hole needs to be located and make sure that the template is set correctly on the door. Using a spirit level to make sure that the template is sitting in a straight line against the door will be extremely helpful.

Cut the Flap

You'll need to cut a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can put it in place. This can be a challenging job, and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitter for this job if you don't have the expertise or knowledge to tackle it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions included in the kit to find out how to do it properly.

You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. As a rule of thumb you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the typical height of the stomach for cats. Your cat can move through the flap without difficulty and also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping difficult time trying to get in or out.

Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using the pencil. If your kit comes with an outline of paper, place it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. After that, you'll be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.

If you are installing your cat flap in a door made from wood or uPVC, you can do this yourself if you are comfortable with a Jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut through any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square according to the design of your cat flap install flap. Remember to take your time and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.

Once the hole is made, carefully place the cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure it's solidly secured. If the flap has screw caps then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block draughts from entering your home.

Fit the Flap

If you have a basic cat flap you can open it and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a small amount of cat food in front of the door. You can also push the cat using sticks or your hand. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it is likely to be able into and out as it wants and you should be able to let it out and in without having to be there holding the door open for it throughout the day (and possibly in any weather).

It is possible to install the flap inside a UPVC door or a glass door, but it's not as easy as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is due to the fact that upvc door panels cat flap doors and some types of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This can have a major impact on how you cut the flap hole and also whether the flap fits correctly after installation.

The mounting kit might include a template showing you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include an example, you can photocopy it to create your own. It's important to not use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so it doesn't leave a bigger than needed hole in your door.

The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape but there are some that are circular, and are typically more difficult to fit. 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, the cat will not be able to use the flap and could be stranded out in the sun all day (or even at night).

Certain models of cat flaps have locks that permit you to control when your cat comes and goes. They are helpful for pets who are afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back in the dark. They can also be helpful when you are working all day. Some locks can be used for either access or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for sick or elderly cats who do not want to venture out in cold weather.