Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting but it's simple to install with the proper instructions. Find out how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's at belly height). Note this on your door and use the included template as a guide when drilling.
If you have a young kitten you can prop the door slightly open and gradually allow it to pass through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to move into and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by ensuring that it gets exercise as well as being able to come back in if left outside in bad weather, especially in winter. It can also reduce the amount of time you'll have to let it out or in. It can protect your home by allowing you to know when it has gone out.
It is crucial that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the height of the doorway in your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the position of your flap in case your cat is taller or smaller than average.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the center of the door that you will put the flap. Then, using the marks as an outline, cut the shape of your flap using the aid of a jigsaw. After you have cut the area and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
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 in the event that you have to put it into a uPVC or composite door as these doors have various thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. This is the reason we recommend hiring an expert to do the work, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hours of listening to your pet's meow for you to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful for cats that are inside in all weathers while you are at work.
If you're planning to put a cat flap inside your door, it is essential that you take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. It may seem like a straightforward task, but it is crucial to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat may find it difficult to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not stressed before you take the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against the body. By keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the tip of their tail will enable you to determine an accurate measurement.
Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where to place the flap. Position the flap 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 swings back and back.
You must take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. Although timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall design and this can make the installation of a cat flap more difficult as you will need to make sure the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the opening must be, and also to ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. cat flap installers is also beneficial to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you must cut the door panel in order to make it large enough to accommodate it. It's a challenging job so it's recommended you engage a professional to help you if you lack the expertise or experience. You can also read the instructions provided with the kit to learn how to do it properly.
To do this, you will need to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly. Use this as an indicator point. A good rule of thumb is to put the flap around 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap with ease and will make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using pencil. Then, if your kit has an outline of paper, place this over the door and use the markings to drill holes into each corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.
You can put in your cat flap yourself on an uPVC or wood door If you're comfortable using a Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Remember to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new home. Make sure it's firmly secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. 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 in the front of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your cat has become used to walking through the flap it will be able to come and go as it pleases. This lets you let it in and out at any time it's wanted.
It is possible to put the flap inside the UPVC doors or glass door, however it's not as simple as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because UPVC doors and some types of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This could affect how you cut the opening for the flap and could affect the way your flap will fit properly once it's been installed.
Based on the type of cat flap you pick It may be equipped with a mounting kit as well as a template that will tell precisely where to drill holes for it. If the kit does not come with a template, you can create one by yourself. When cutting, it is important to not push the jigsaw far enough to make a larger hole than you need in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are some that are circular, and they are usually more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is in the right place on your door. If not, your cat might not be able to access it, and may be outside all day (or night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to 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 only to come back in due to the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. Some locks can be used for either entry or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for sick or elderly cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.