Fitting A Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can seem intimidating however it's actually quite easy to do with the right instructions. First, determine the height you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on your door and then use the template provided to help you drill.

If you have a kitten, or Fitting a cat flap a young kitten you can prop the door slightly open and gradually allow it to go through. Reward the kitten as it goes through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap allows your pet to move into and out of your home at any time. This will help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is exercising and also being able to get back in if it is left outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you need to allow it in or out and will also help protect your home by letting you know when it has gone out.

It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is placed properly to stop your pet from being forced through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the size of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the right height. You can alter the height of your flap if your cat is taller or smaller than average.

The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. With the markings as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap inside the door. Once you have cut out the area, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes needed.

Installing a cat flap installation flap ought to not take longer than two hours. However, the process could be a little more complicated if you need to fit it onto the frame of a replacement upvc door panels with cat flap or composite door because these doors come with an array of thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and what they are inserted into. We always recommend to contact an expert if this is your first time working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

A cat flap can save you from hours of listening to your pet meow for you to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful for those who working all day and your cat is stuck in the waiting room until you come home in all weathers.

If you want to fit a cat flap inside your door it is important to take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. Although it might appear to be an easy task, it is important to get the measurement right or your cat will find it difficult to use.

First, make sure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to hold them in a manner that they cannot move and ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any way. Holding the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail can allow you to determine an accurate measurement.

Once you've got your cat's measurements then you can look at the door to determine where to put the flap. The best option is to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's stomach as this will allow them to get through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise as it moves back and forward.

You should also think about the thickness and the structure of the upvc door panels with cat flap door or composite. While timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall structure and this can make the installation of the cat flap more difficult since you have to ensure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.

You can also use 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 ensure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Using a spirit-level to make sure that the template is right against the door will also be very 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. This is a difficult job, and it is recommended to seek the help of an expert cat flap fitter for this job in case you don't have the expertise or knowledge to complete the task yourself. You can also refer to the instructions provided with the kit to learn how to do it properly.

You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. A good rule of thumb is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is the typical belly height for cats. Your cat can move through the flap without difficulty and it will also give other cats or snooping neighbours difficult time trying to get in or out.

Once you've decided the location where the cat flap needs to be located, mark the location on the door using a pencil. If your kit includes a template put it on top of the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you should be able to cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.

If you are installing your cat flap in a door made from wood or uPVC, it is possible to do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle a Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a circle or square depending on the design of your cat flap. Make sure to take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.

Once the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure it's firmly secured. If it features caps for screws, then put them onto the protruding screws. Once the screws have been installed smooth the edges and seal any gaps. This will stop 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 walk through by putting a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat flap bifold doors through using your hands or a stick. Once your cat has become used to walking through the flap it will be in a position to move whenever it wants. This will allow you to let it in and out as it wants.

It is possible to put an animal flap into a replacement upvc door panels with cat flap door or a glass door, however it might not be as simple as putting one in a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This can have a significant impact on the way you cut the hole for the flap, and could affect the way your flap will fit properly once it's been put in place.

The mounting kit might contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to create one on your own. It's important to not press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't create a larger than necessary hole in your door.

The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are also some which are circular and these are usually more difficult to place. If you have a circular flap, it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the correct position on your door, because if it's not, your cat will not be able to use the flap and could be left in the open all day (or even at night).

Some models of cat flap come with locks that allow you to manage the time your cat comes and goes. These are useful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They can also be useful if you work all day. The lock can be used for entry or exit and some can be locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely, which is especially beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go out in bad weather.