Fitting A Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can seem intimidating but it's easy to do with the right instructions. Find out how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's located at belly height). Mark this point on your door, and use the template provided to help you drill.

If you have a kitten who is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to go through. Reward it when it goes through.

Measure the Door

A cat flap is a wonderful option to let your pet leave and come into and out of your house as it pleases. This can help with keeping your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to go back in if trapped outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. This will cut down on the time you spend letting your cat go in and out, and keep your home secure by notifying you when it has left.

It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is set up properly to stop your pet from being forced through or escaping 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 in order to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is longer or taller than the average, you can alter the flap's height by moving it up or down a small amount.

The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door where you will put the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guideline, you can use a jigsaw and cut out the form of the flap within the door. Once you've cut the area, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes needed.

The process of installing a cat flap isn't as difficult as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to finish the entire job from start to the end. The process can be slightly more challenging if you need to install it on a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors are available in a variety of thicknesses, which could affect the way that holes are cut. This is why we recommend hiring an expert to do the job, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

You can avoid hours of listening to the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful if you are at work all day and your cat has to stay inside waiting until you get home in any weather.

It is important to measure your cat first before you attempt the installation. Although it might seem like to be a simple task, it is important to get the measurement right or your pet will find it very difficult to use.

First of all, make sure that your cat flap bifold doors is relaxed and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a position in which they cannot 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 the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.

Once you have the measurement of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide on where to place the flap. A good tip is to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly as this will help them to get through it with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot noise when it swings back and back.

It is also important to consider the thickness and structure of the upvc door panel with cat flap fitted door or composite. While all timber doors have the same thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall design. This can make the process of putting in a flap for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is the right size.

It is also worthwhile reading through the directions that come with the cat flap kit to find an illustration template that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the opening must be and also ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting flush against the door will also be very helpful.

Cut the Flap

You'll need to cut an opening in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can install it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended to get help from a professional cat flap fitting service to complete this task in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to tackle it yourself. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to discover how to do it correctly.

To do this, you have to take a measurement of the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use that as an indicator point. A good rule of thumb is to set the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is the typical height of the cat's belly. Your cat will be able to move through the flap without difficulty and will also make other cats or snooping neighbours an issue when trying to enter or leave.

Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using pencil. If your kit comes with a template, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you should be able to cut out the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.

If you are installing your cat flap on a door made from wood or uPVC, you are able to do this yourself if you are comfortable with a jigsaw. Be cautious 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 according to the way you'd like to cut it. Take your time, and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.

Once the hole is made, carefully fit the cat flap into its new location and make sure that it's securely secured. If the flap has screws put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed smooth the edges and seal any gaps. This will block drafts from entering your home.

Fit the Flap

If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. Alternatively you can 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 come and go whenever it wants. This will allow you to let it in and out as it's wanted.

It is possible to fit a cat flap cover for winter flap in a UPVC door or a glass door, but it may not be as simple as putting one on a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that UPVC doors and some types of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This can have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the hole for the flap, and can also affect whether your flap is fitted correctly after it has been put in place.

Depending on the model of cat flap you choose, it may include a mounting kit as well as a template that will tell you exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit does not include a template you can create one by yourself. It's important not to press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't create a larger than necessary hole in your door.

Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, but there are also some which are circular, and they are generally more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the correct position on your door, because if it's not, the cat can't use it and could be stranded out in the sun all day (or even at night).

Certain cat flaps come with locks that let you regulate when your cat can enter and leave. This is useful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They are also useful when you are working all day. The lock can be engaged to allow or deny entry, and some locks can be locked in either direction allowing you to shut the door completely, which is particularly beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't keen on going out in rainy weather.