Fitting A Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can seem intimidating however it's actually quite simple to install with the proper instructions. Determine how high you would like the cat flap (normally, it is at the belly height). Mark this point on your door and use the template provided to guide you when drilling.

If you have a kitten who is still a baby then gently prop the door slightly open and allow it to go through. Reward the kitten every time it goes through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap is a wonderful option to allow your pet to leave and come in and out of your home whenever it likes. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise as well as being able to come back inside if trapped outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. It can also reduce the amount of time you'll have to spend letting it out or in and will also help ensure your home is secure by allowing you to be aware of when it went out.

It is important to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway of your house 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 less than average.

The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door, where you will put the flap. Then, using the mark as an outline, cut the contour of the flap on the door with the help of a jigsaw. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes required.

Fitting a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process may be a bit more difficult if you need to fit it into the frame of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come with a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how much to install a cat flap the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. This is why we always recommend hiring an expert to do the work, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

You can save yourself hours of listening to the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is especially useful for cats that are inside in all weathers while you work.

It is crucial to first measure your cat before attempting to install. It might seem like a straightforward task, but it is important to measure your cat correctly. Otherwise, your pet may have difficulty putting it in use.

First, make sure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and also make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any place. 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 have the measurement of your cat flap installation cost near me, it is time to take a look at the door and decide on 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 with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making too much noise when it swings back and forward.

You should also think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall construction and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult because you must make sure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.

It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions included with the kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you to determine where the opening needs to be and also make sure the template is correctly positioned on the door. Using a spirit level to check that the template is flush against the door will also be extremely helpful.

Cut the Flap

Before you can install your cat flap, you'll need to cut the door's panel to make it large enough for it. It can be a difficult task so it's recommended you get a professional assist you if you do not have the knowledge or skills. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do it correctly.

To do this, you have to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use that as an indicator point. A good guideline is to put the flap around 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is approximately the average belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap without difficulty and make it more difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to enter or exit.

Draw the location of the cat flaps for french doors flap on the door with the pencil. Next, if your kit has a paper template, lay it over the door and use the marks to drill holes in each corner of the template. Then, you should be able cut out the template and replace it with the flap for cats.

If you are installing your cat flap inside the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do this yourself if you are confident enough to use a jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut through any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle according to the way you'd like it. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.

After the hole has been cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the cat flap into its new home and make sure that it is firmly secured. If the flap has screws put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then seal any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home.

Install the Flap

If you have an ordinary cat flap installers flap, you can try to encourage your pet to go through it by placing a small amount cat flap installation food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it should be able to go into and out as it wishes so you can let it out or in without holding the door open for it throughout the day (and likely in any weather).

It is possible to fit the flap onto the UPVC or glass doors although this may not be exactly the same as fitting it into a wooden exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This can have a major impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole, and whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.

The mounting kit may include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to create one yourself. When cutting, it is important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too far enough to make a larger hole than is necessary in your door.

The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, but there are some that are circular, and they are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a round flap, make sure that the hole is located in the right place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to use it, and could be outside all day (or at night).

Some models of cat flap have locks that permit you to regulate when your cat comes in and goes. These can be very useful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in due to the darkness, or if you're at work all day. The lock can be used to allow or deny entry, and some are locked in both directions, 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 the rain.