Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting however it's actually quite easy to do with the right instructions. First, determine the height you want the cat flap to be (on average the belly height). Then, mark this area on your door, and use the template provided to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten that is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to pass through. Reward read full article moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at the time that is convenient for you. This can help keep your cat in good health as it will ensure it is exercising regularly and will also allow it to go back inside when it gets trapped outside during bad weather. This will reduce the amount of time you allow your cat out or in, and keep your home safe by letting you know when it has left.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is set up 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 as well as the size of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the position of your flap if your cat is smaller or taller than average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Then, using the markings as a guideline, cut out the contour of your flap with the help of a jigsaw. After you've cut the area, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are required.
The process of installing a cat flap isn't as difficult as you believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to finish the entire job from start to completion. The process is slightly more complicated if you are required to put it in a uPVC door or composite one. This is because composite doors are available in various thicknesses, which can impact the way holes are cut. This is why we always recommend calling an expert to do the work, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from listening to your pet's meow to let it out or in. This is especially helpful when you're at work all day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home in all weathers.
It is essential to first measure your cat before attempting to install. While it may seem a simple operation it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will be unable to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm and not stressed before you take 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 a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've got the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide where you want 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 with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making lots of noise when it swings open and shut.
You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall structure. This makes the process of putting in a flap for your cat more difficult as you have to make sure that the hole is the right size.
Discover More can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole on the door. This will allow you to determine where the opening must be and make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. It is also beneficial to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll need to cut the door's panel to make a space big enough for it. This can be a tricky job and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting service for this job if you don't have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do it right.
To do this you need to determine the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as a reference point. A good rule of thumb is to place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is the typical height of the cat's belly. This way your cat will be able to move through the flap with ease and it will also give any other cats or curious neighbours difficult time trying to leave or enter.
Once you've determined the location where the cat flap needs to be located, mark the location on the door using pencil. Next, if your kit comes with a paper template, lay it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes in every corner of the template. You will then be able to cut the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install the cat flap yourself inside the door made of wood or uPVC If you're comfortable with the use of a jigsaw. Be sure to not cut into any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new home. Make sure it is solidly secured. If it features caps for screws, then put these onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to go through by putting a little bit of cat food in front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using sticks or your hand. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap it should be able to go in and out as it wants and you should be able to let it out and in without keeping the door open for it all day (and possibly in all weathers).
It is possible to put an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, however it's not 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 a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut the hole for the flap and could affect the way your flap will fit properly once it's been installed.
Depending on the type of cat flap you pick It could come with its own mounting kit and template that shows you exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to make one on your own. It's important not to press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't create a larger than needed hole in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the proper location on your door as if it's not, the cat can't use it and could be stranded outside all day (or even at night).
Some cat flaps have locks which permit you to control when your cat comes and goes. They are helpful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark or coming back to the house at night. They can also be helpful if you work all day. Certain locks can be used to lock access or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for sick or older cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.