Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to set up a cat flap however, with the proper instructions, it's not too difficult. Decide how cat flap installation near me 'd like the flap to be (normally it's located at belly height). Mark this point on the door and then use the template provided as a guide to drill.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door slightly open and gradually encourage it to pass through. Reward it as it passes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at its convenience. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise and also being able to go back inside if trapped outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This will reduce the amount of time you have to let your cat out or in, and keep your home secure by letting you know when it has left.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home to make sure that the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the position of your flap if your cat is taller or smaller than the average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the form of your flap on the door with a Jigsaw. After you have cut the flap, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
The process of installing the cat flap isn't as complicated as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire job from start to finish. However, the process may be slightly more complicated when you have to install it into the frame of a uPVC or composite door because these doors come in a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. We always suggest that you call a professional if this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from hours of listening to your pet meow to let it in or out. This is particularly helpful when you're at working all day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home in all weathers.
It is important to measure your cat's measurements first before you begin the installation. Although it might seem like an easy task, it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your pet will find it difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the tip of their tail will enable you to make an exact measurement.
Once you have your cat's measurement then you can examine the door to decide the best place to place the flap. A good tip is to position the flap in the middle of your cat's stomach as this will allow them to get through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it opens and closes.
You should also take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are all of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall structure and can make fitting a cat flap more complicated since you have to make sure the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
It is also worth reading through the directions included with the kit to find a template drawing that can be used to mark out the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you determine where the opening needs to be and ensure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to check that the template is flush against the door will also be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap before you can put it in place. This can be a challenging task and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting service for this job if you don't have the knowledge or skills to tackle it yourself. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do this correctly.
To do this you need to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly. Use this as an indicator point. As a rule of thumb, place the cat flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the cat's belly. This will let your cat pass through the flap easily and make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you've decided the location where the cat flap needs to be positioned, mark this position on the door with a pencil. Next, if your kit comes with a template for paper, place it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. Then, you'll be able to cut out the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.
You can install your cat flap yourself in a wood or uPVC door when you're confident with a jigsaw. Be careful not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle according to the way you'd like it. Take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure that it is securely secured. If it has caps on the screws, then place these caps onto the protruding screws. After the screws are 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 an ordinary cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to go through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using a stick or your hand. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be able to move into and out as it pleases and you should be able to let it out and in without to open the door for it throughout the day (and possibly in all weathers).
It is possible to install a cat flap in an UPVC door or glass door, but it may not be as simple as installing one in a wooden external door. This is because the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on how you cut the hole for the flap and will also affect whether the flap fits correctly once it's been installed.
Based on the type of cat flap you pick, it may come with its own mounting kit and template that will show you exactly 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 in order to cut, so it doesn't make a larger 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 usually more difficult to fit. If you have a round flap, make sure the hole is in the right place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to access it, and may be locked outside for the entire day (or night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you control the time your cat can enter and leave. These can be very useful in the event that you are worried about your pet going out at night and coming back in due to the darkness, or you're working all day. Some locks can be used for entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is useful for older cats or sick cats who do not want to venture out in cold weather.