Fitting A Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may appear daunting however it's actually quite simple with the proper instructions. Determine how high you would like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at the belly height). Note this on the door and then use the template included as a guideline to drill.

If you have a kitten who is still a newborn and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and invite it to walk through. Reward the kitten as it moves through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap lets your pet to go in and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This can help keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it is exercising regularly and also be able to return inside if it is stranded in the elements during bad weather. It can also reduce the amount of time you have to spend letting it out or in. It can also protect your home by letting you know when it's been out.

It is important to make sure that the cat flap is placed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's belly and the height of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is taller or shorter than average, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.

The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door that you will put the flap. Then, using the markings as an indication, cut out the shape of your flap with a Jigsaw. After you have cut the area and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.

fitting cat flap in upvc door panel a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process is a bit more challenging if you need to install it on the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because composite doors come in different thicknesses, which could affect the way the holes are cut. We always recommend to contact an expert when this is your first time working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

A cat flap can spare you from listening to your pet's meow for you to let it in or out. This is particularly useful if you are at work most of the day and your cat has to stay in the house waiting for you to get home in all weathers.

If you are planning to install a cat flap inside your door, it is crucial that you measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might seem like to be a simple task, it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will find it very difficult to use.

Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not stressed before you take the measurements. You will need to hold them in a position where they are not able to move, and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not bending in any way. You can get an accurate measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.

Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where to place the flap. The best option is to position the flap in the middle of your cat's belly as it will allow them to move through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making lots of noise when it swings open and closed.

You must take into consideration the thickness of the upvc door panels with cat flap or composite door, as well. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This can make the installation of the flap for your cat more difficult, as you must ensure that the hole is of the correct size.

It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to locate an illustration template that can be used to mark out the location of the hole in the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole should be placed and ensure that the template is placed correctly on the door. It is also helpful to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed perfectly against the door.

Cut the Flap

You will need to cut a hole in the door panel for your cat flap before you can put it in place. This is a difficult task and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting service to complete this task if you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. It is also recommended that you consult the instructions that come with the kit to discover how to do this correctly.

To do this, you have to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as an indicator point. A good rule of thumb is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. This way, your cat will be able to move through the flap comfortably and it will also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping difficult time trying to enter or leave.

Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit comes with a paper template, lay it over the door and use the marks to drill holes into each corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.

You can install your cat flap yourself on an uPVC or wood door if you are confident with a jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or a circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Make sure to take your time and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.

After the hole has been cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap of cat food into its new location and make sure that it is firmly fixed. If the flap has screws then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent drafts from entering your home.

Place the Flap

If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through with your hand or a stick. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap it will be able to come and go at will. This allows you to let it in and out at any time it's wanted.

You can install an animal flap inside an UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting a cat flap one into a timber external door because the UPVC and glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This can have a major impact on the way you cut the flap hole and also whether the flap fits correctly after installation.

The mounting kit may include a template showing you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with an example you can use a photocopier to make your own. When cutting, it's crucial to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too hard so that you don't make a larger hole than you need in your door.

Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the correct location on your door as if it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and may be stuck outside all day (or even at night).

Certain models of cat flaps come with locks that allow you to manage when your cat comes in and goes. These are very helpful if you're concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in the darkness, or you're working all day. The lock can be turned on to allow entry or exit, and some are locked in both directions, allowing you to shut the door completely, which is especially beneficial for sick or elderly cats who aren't willing to go out in bad weather.