Fitting A Cat Flap

It can be difficult to install the flap for your cat however, with the proper guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Find out how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally it's located at the belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the included template to help you drill.

If you have a kitten, or a young kitten, prop the door open very slightly and gradually push it to go through. Reward it when it goes through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap is a wonderful option to let your pet leave and come in and out of your house as it pleases. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by making sure that it is exercising as well as being able to go back inside if left outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. This will reduce the amount of time you have to let your cat go in and out and make your home safer by letting you know when it's gone.

However, it is important that the cat flap is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the entrance to your home in order to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. You can alter the height of your flap when your cat is smaller or taller than average.

The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door where you will be installing the flap. Then, using the marks as a guideline, cut out the shape of your 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.

The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as difficult as you think and it should not take more than two hours to finish the entire process from beginning to finish. The process can be slightly more complicated if you are required to install it in the form of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors are available in different thicknesses, which could affect the way the holes are cut. This is the reason we recommend hiring a professional to carry out the job, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

You can save yourself hours of listening to the pet meow to be let in or out. This is especially useful when your cat is in the house during all seasons while you are at work.

It is crucial to measure your cat first before attempting to install. It might appear to be a simple task, but it is essential to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat may find it difficult to use.

First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. You can take a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.

Once you've determined your cat's measurement then you can examine the door to decide the best place to place the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to walk through the door with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap making lots of noise when it swings open and shut.

You will need to think about the thickness of the upvc door panel with cat flap or composite door too. While all timber doors have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall design. This makes the installation of an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you have to make sure that the hole is the proper size.

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 mark the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole should be located and make sure that the template is placed precisely on the door. Using a spirit-level to make sure that the template is flush against the door will be extremely helpful.

Cut the Flap

You'll need to cut an opening in the door panel to install your cat flap before you can install it. This can be a tricky job and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service to complete this task should you not have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the kit to learn how much to install a cat flap to do this properly.

To do this you need to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly. Use this as a reference point. A good rule of thumb is to set the flap of your cat flap fitters about 10 centimeters from the ground as this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap easily and make it more difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to get inside or out.

Once you've determined the location where the cat flap needs to be located, mark the position on the door with the help of a pencil. If your kit comes with a template you can place it on the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes in each corner. Then, you should be able cut out the design of the template 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 are comfortable with using a Jigsaw. Be sure to not cut into any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or a circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Take your time and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.

Once the hole is made, carefully fit the flap of cat food into its new location and make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap has 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 that there are no draughts coming into your home.

Place the Flap

If you have an ordinary cat flap in upvc door cost flap, you can help your pet to go through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through with your hands or a stick. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap it will be capable of walking through the flap at will. This will allow you to let it in and out at any time it wishes.

You can install a cat flap into the UPVC or glass doors but it's not exactly the same as fitting it into a wooden external door because UPVC and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This can have a major impact on the way you cut the flap's hole and whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.

Depending on the model of cat flap you choose It may come with its own mounting kit and template that will tell precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to create one by yourself. It's important to not use the jigsaw to in order to cut, so it doesn't create a larger than necessary hole in your door.

Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are some that are circular and these are generally more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the correct position on your door because in the event that it's not, the cat can't use it and could be stranded out in the sun all day (or even night).

Certain models of cat flaps come with locks that allow you to regulate when your cat comes and goes. This is useful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark or returning to the house at night. They can also be useful when you are working all day. Certain locks can be used to lock access or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.