Fitting A Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might be a bit daunting, but it is fairly simple to install with the proper instructions. First, determine the height you would like the flap to be (on average the belly height). Note this on your door and use the included template to help you drill.

If you have a kitten that is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to walk 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 any time. This will keep your cat healthy since it ensures that it is exercising regularly and will also allow it to return inside if it is stranded outside in bad weather. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat out or in and also make your home safe by letting you know when it has left.

It is important 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 belly and the doorway of your house to make sure that the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the height of your flap if your cat is taller or less than the average.

Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guideline, you can use an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap inside the door. After you have cut the area and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.

The process of installing a cat flap is not as difficult as you believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire process from beginning to the end. The process is a bit more complicated if you are required to install it on the form of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because composite doors are available in a variety of thicknesses, which can impact the way that holes are cut. This is why we always recommend calling an expert to do the job, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

A cat flap can spare you from hours of hearing your pet's cries for you to let it out or in. This is especially helpful when your cat is in the house during all seasons when you are at work.

It is crucial to measure your cat's measurements first before attempting to install. It might seem like a simple task, but it's essential to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.

First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the bottom of their tail will allow you to determine an accurate measurement.

Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat's body, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where to put the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to walk through the door without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making lots of noise when it swings open and closed.

You will need to take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While all timber doors have the same thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall design. This can make fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is of the correct size.

It is also worth looking through the instructions that come with the kit to find an illustration template that can be used to mark out the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you determine the location where the opening should be and make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting in a straight line against the door will be very helpful.

Cut the Flap

Before you can put in your cat flap you must cut the door panel to make it large enough to accommodate it. This can be a daunting task and it is recommended that you engage a professional to assist you if you do not have the skills or experience. It is also recommended to review the directions that come with the kit to learn how to do this properly.

You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good guideline is to put the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is approximately the average belly height for cats. This way, your cat will be able to go through the flap without difficulty and also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping an issue when trying to get in or out.

The position of the cat flap on the door using the pencil. If your kit includes the template put it on top of the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you should be able to cut the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.

You can put in your cat flap yourself inside a wood or uPVC door If you're comfortable with the jigsaw. Be sure not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square, depending on how you'd like to cut it. Make sure to take your time and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.

Once the hole is made then carefully insert the flap onto its new home and ensure that it is securely fixed. If it has caps on the screws, then place these caps onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into your home.

Install the Flap

If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hands or window with cat flap a stick. Once your cat flap in upvc door cost is accustomed to walking through the flap, it should be able to go into and out as it wants and you should be able to let it out or in without having to be there keeping the door open for it all day (and potentially in any weather).

It is possible to install an animal flap into the UPVC doors or glass door, however it might not be as simple as installing one in a wooden external door. This is because the doors made of upvc door panel with cat flap fitted and some kinds of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap fits correctly after installation.

The mounting kit may contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template you can create one yourself. When cutting, it is important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too far enough to make a larger hole than necessary in your door.

The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, but there are also some which are circular and these are generally more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door, because if it's not, your cat can't use it and may be stuck outside all day (or even at night).

Certain models of cat flaps have locks which permit you to manage the time your cat comes and goes. These can be very useful in the event that you are worried about your cat going out at night and coming back door with cat flap fitted in because of the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. Certain locks can be used for access or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.