Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to put up a cat flap however, with the proper instructions, it's not too difficult. Determine how high you would like the cat flap (normally it's at the belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and then use the template provided as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten that is still a baby and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and encourage it to pass through. Reward the kitten as it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is exercising and also being able to come back in if it is stuck outside in bad weather, particularly during the winter. This can reduce the time you spend letting your cat in or out, and keep your home safer by letting you know when it's left.
However, it is essential 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 crucial to determine your pet's belly height and the doorway of your house to make sure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is taller or shorter than average, you can alter the position of the flap by moving it up or down a small amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door that you will install the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the form of your flap with the help of a jigsaw. After you've cut the flap then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
The process of fitting a cat flap is not as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours to complete the entire task from start to completion. The process is a bit more difficult if you have to install it on a uPVC door or a composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors are available in various thicknesses, which could affect the way holes are cut. This is the reason we recommend calling a professional to carry out the work, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of listening to the cat's meows to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful when you're at work most of the day and your cat is stuck in the waiting room until you come home in all weathers.
If you're planning to put a cat flap inside your door, it is crucial that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. It might seem like a simple task, but it's essential to measure your cat correctly. Otherwise, your pet might find it difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any way. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the bottom of their tail will allow you to get an accurate measurement.
Once you've determined your cat's measurement then you can examine the door to determine where to put the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door with minimal effort. This will also avoid the flap from making a lot of noise as it swings open and closed.
You will also need to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are all of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall structure and can make fitting a cat flap more difficult as you will need to make sure the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile reading through the directions included with the cat flap kit to find an illustration template that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the hole must be located and make sure that the template is placed properly on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to check that the template is sitting flush against the door can prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you need to cut the door panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This can be a challenging job and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitter to complete this task should you not have the knowledge or skills to tackle it yourself. You can also read the instructions provided in the kit to find out how to do it right.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. As a rule of thumb you should place the flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the belly for cats. This way, your cat can move through the flap with ease and also give other cats or snooping neighbours a tough time trying to get in or out.
Once you've decided where the cat flap should be positioned, mark this location on the door using a pencil. Then, if your kit comes with a paper template, lay it over the door and use the markings to drill holes in each corner of the template. Then, you'll be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you can do this yourself if you are comfortable with a Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. upvc door panel with cat flap can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle depending on the way you'd like to cut it. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully fit the cat flap into its new home and ensure that it's securely fixed. If the flap is fitted with screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent draughts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food in front of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it should be able to go in and out as it pleases and you should be able to let it out or in without having to be there to open the door for it all day (and potentially in all weathers).
It is possible to fit a cat flap in a UPVC door or a glass door, however it may not be as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is because UPVC doors and some types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This can have a major impact on how you cut out the flap's hole, and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
Depending on the type of cat flap you pick It could be equipped with a mounting kit and a template that shows precisely where to drill holes for it. If the kit does not include a template, you can photocopy it to make your own. It is important not to use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so it doesn't leave a bigger than necessary hole in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, make sure the hole is located in the correct place on your door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to access it, and could be outside all day (or night).
Some cat flaps have locks which let you manage when your cat comes and goes. These are very helpful if you're worried about your cat going out at night only to come back in because of the darkness, or if you're at work all day. Some locks can be used for either entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for sick or older cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.