Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to set up a cat flap however, with the proper instructions it's not that hard. Find out how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally it's located at the belly height). Mark this point on the door and then use the template provided as a guideline to drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby then gently prop the door slightly open and allow it to walk through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This will keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it is exercising regularly and also be able to go back inside if it is stranded outside in bad weather. This can reduce the time you spend letting your cat go in and out and also make your home secure by notifying you when it's gone.
It is crucial that the cat flap is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure the height of your pet's belly and the entrance to your home in order to make sure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the average, you can alter the position of the flap by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the centre of the door, where you will be installing the flap. With the markings as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap in the door. Once you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes that are required.
simply click the next website of installing the cat flap isn't as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours to complete the entire process from beginning to completion. The process is slightly more difficult if you have to install it on the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because these doors come in various thicknesses, which can affect the way holes are cut. This is why we recommend calling an expert to do the task, especially when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of hearing your pet's cries for you to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful for those who working all day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home regardless of the weather.
If you are planning to install a cat flap inside your door, it is essential that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. Although it might seem like to be a simple task, it is important to get the measurement right or your cat may be unable to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to hold them in a position where they cannot move and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any place. You can get an accurate measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide on where to place the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise as 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 the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall construction and can make fitting a cat flap more difficult as you will need to make sure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions that come with the kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to mark out the position of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the hole should be located and make sure that the template is positioned properly on the door. It is also a good idea to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is placed in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make an opening in the door panel to install your cat flap before you can install it. This can be a challenging task and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service for this step should you not have the skills or experience to do it yourself. It is also recommended that you review the directions that come with the cat flap kit to find out how to do it correctly.
To do this you need to take a measurement of the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use that as an indication point. As a general rule you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the standard height of the stomach for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap with ease and make it 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 placed, mark this location on the door using pencil. Then, if your kit includes a template for paper, place it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes into each corner of the template. You will then be able to cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap inside a door made from wood or uPVC, it is possible to do it yourself if you are comfortable with using a Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or circle according to the design of your cat flap. Remember to take your time and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure that it is solidly secured. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then seal any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount cat food on the outside of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through with your hand or a stick. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be able to move into and out as it pleases, so you can let it in or out without to open the door for it all day (and potentially in any weather).
It is possible to install the flap inside the UPVC doors or glass door, but it may not be as simple as installing one on a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that UPVC doors and some types of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut the flap's hole and how well the flap fits after installation.
The mounting kit may include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include the template, you can photocopy it to create your own. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw hard so that you don't create a larger hole than you need in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the proper location on your door as if it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and may be stuck in the open all day (or even night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to control the time your cat is allowed to enter and leave. These can be very useful when you're worried about your pet going out at night and coming back in due to the darkness, or you're at work all day. Some locks can be used for entry or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for older cats or sick cats who don't want to venture out in cold weather.