Fitting A Cat Flap
It may seem difficult to install a cat flap however, with the proper instructions it's not that hard. Decide how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's at belly height). Note this on your door and use the template provided to help you drill.
If you have a young kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually allow it to pass through. Reward the kitten each time it passes.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent option to allow your pet to leave and come in and out of your home whenever it pleases. This will keep your cat in good health as it will ensure that it gets enough exercise and also be able to go back inside when it gets trapped outside during bad weather. This will cut down on the time you have to let your cat go in and out and also make your home safe by notifying you when it's gone.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is set up correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly and the doorway to your home so that you can ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is longer or taller than the average, you can alter the flap's position by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guideline, you can use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap in the door. After you've cut the area, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes needed.
The process of installing a cat flap isn't as difficult as you may believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire task from start to finish. The process is slightly more complicated if you are required to install it in a uPVC door or a composite door cat flap one. This is due to the fact that these doors come in various thicknesses, which can affect the way holes are cut. We always suggest to contact an expert when this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hours of listening to your pet meow to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful when your cat is in the house during all seasons while you are at work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap inside your door, it is crucial to take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. Although it might seem like to be a simple task, it is crucial to measure the right way or your cat may find it difficult to use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is relaxed and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. You can get an accurate measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you have your cat flap cost near me's measurements, it's time to examine the door to decide the best place to place the flap. It is advisable to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's stomach as this will allow them to move through it without much effort. This will also avoid the flap from making lots of noise when it swings open and shut.
It is also important to consider the thickness and 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 as you have to make sure that the hole is the proper size.
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 see where the opening needs to be and ensure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Using a spirit-level to ensure that the template is sitting flush against the door can be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you must cut the door panel to make a space big enough for it. This is a difficult job, and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service to complete this task if you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. You can also consult the instructions provided in the kit to find out how to do it properly.
To do this you need to measure the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use that as a reference point. As a general rule, place the cat 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 without difficulty and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit includes an outline, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes in each corner. You will then be able cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself on an upvc door panel replacement cat flap or wood door when you're confident using a Jigsaw. Be sure not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or a circle according to the design of your cat flap. Be patient, and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole has been made, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure it's securely secured. If it features screw caps, then push them onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming 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 top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hands or a stick. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap, it will be able to move in and out as it pleases and you should be able to let it out or in without having to be there to open the door for it all day (and likely in any weather).
You can fit an animal flap inside an UPVC or glass door although this may not be exactly the same as fitting one into a wood exterior door due to the fact that UPVC and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
The mounting kit could contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not come with a template, you can create one yourself. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw far enough to create a bigger hole than you need in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are also some which are circular, and they are usually more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the right position on your door, because in the event that it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and could be left in the open all day (or even night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you regulate when your cat is allowed to enter and leave. These can be very useful if you're worried about your cat going out at night and then coming back in because of the darkness, or you're working all day. The lock can be engaged to allow or deny entry, and some are locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely, which is especially beneficial for sick or elderly cats who aren't willing to go out in bad weather.