Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to put up the flap for your cat, but with the right instructions, it's not too difficult. First, decide how high you want the cat flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the template included as a guide when drilling.
If you have a young kitten you can prop the door slightly open and gradually encourage it to go through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to move into and out of your home at its convenience. This will help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it gets exercise as well as being able to come back in if left outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. This will cut down on the time you spend letting your cat in or out and make your home safer by notifying you when it has left.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's stomach and the height of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the height of your flap if your cat is smaller or taller than the average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. fitting a cat flap is where you will put in the flap. Using the marking as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap in the door. After you have cut the flap and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
Fitting a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process can be a little more complicated when you have to install it into a uPVC or composite door because these doors have an array of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. We always recommend to contact an expert if this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hearing your pet's cries to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful for cats that are inside in all weathers while you are at work.
It is important to measure your cat first before attempting to install. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is crucial to make sure you measure correctly or your cat may find it very difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a position where they cannot move and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not arching in any places. Holding the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the base of their tail will allow you to determine an exact measurement.
Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where to put the flap. The best option is to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's stomach as it will allow them to move through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise as it swings back and forward.
You should also think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall structure. This makes the installation of a flap for your cat more difficult since you must ensure that the hole is the proper size.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole on the door. This will allow you to see where the opening needs to be, and also to make sure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to check that the template is sitting right against the door will also be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you need to cut the door's panel to create a space large enough to accommodate it. It can be a difficult task, so it's recommended that you get a professional help you if you lack the skills or experience. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the kit to find out how to do this correctly.
You can use the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. A good guideline is to put the flap around 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is approximately the average belly height for cats. Your cat can move through the flap comfortably and it will also give any other cats or curious neighbours an issue when trying to get in or out.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with the pencil. If your kit has the template you can place it on the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you'll be able to cut the template and replace it with the cat flap.
You can install the cat flap yourself inside a wood or uPVC door if you are confident using the Jigsaw. Be sure not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or a circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the cat flap into its new home and make sure that it is securely fixed. If it has screw caps, then push these onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by putting a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your cat has become accustomed to walking through the flap it will be capable of walking through the flap at will. This allows you to let it in and out as it wishes.
It is possible to fit an animal flap into a UPVC door or a glass door, however it may not be as easy as installing one in a wooden external door. This is because the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This could have an enormous impact on how you cut the flap hole and also how well the flap fits after installation.
Based on the type of cat flap you choose It could include a mounting kit and a template that shows you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't include the template, you can photocopy it to make your own. When cutting, it is important to not push the jigsaw hard so that you don't create a bigger hole than you need in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, but there are some that are circular and these are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the right position on your door, because if it's not, the cat can't use it and could be left outside all day (or even at night).
Some cat flaps have locks that let you determine when your cat can enter and leave. These are useful for pets who are afraid of going out in the dark or returning inside at night. They can also be helpful for those who work all day. Some locks can be used to lock access or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is beneficial for older cats or sick cats who do not want to venture out in cold weather.