Fitting A Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to put up the flap for your cat but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Firstly, determine how high you want the flap to be (on average, belly height). Then, mark this area on the door and use the template provided as a reference to drill.

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

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap allows your pet to enter and exit your home at its convenience. This can keep your cat in good health as it will ensure that it is exercising regularly and also be able to return inside if it is stranded outside in bad weather. This can reduce the time you spend letting your cat out or in, and keep your home safe by letting you know when it's gone.

It is crucial that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's stomach and the size of the doorway in your home to make sure the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is longer or taller than the average, you can alter the flap's position by moving it up or down a small amount.

The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the center of the door, where you will put the flap. Then, using the marks as a guideline, cut out the form of the flap on the door with a jigsaw. Once you have cut out the space, sand down the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are needed.

The installation of a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process could be a bit more difficult if you need to fit it into the frame of a uPVC or composite door as these doors with cat flap come with an array of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed into. This is the reason we recommend hiring an expert to do the task, especially if you have never worked with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

A cat flap will save you from hours of listening to your pet's meow for you to let it in or out. This is especially useful when your cat is inside during the winter months while you work.

It is crucial to measure your cat's measurements first before you attempt the installation. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is important to get the measurement right or your pet will be unable to use.

First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not feeling anxious prior to taking the measurements. You will need to hold them in a position where they cannot move and also make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any way. Holding the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the tip of their tail will allow you to make an precise measurement.

Once you've determined your cat's measurements, it's time to look at the door to determine where to place the flap. It is advisable to place the flap at the height of your cat's stomach as it will allow them to pass through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making too much noise as it moves back and forth.

It is also important to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall structure. This can make the installation of an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you must ensure that the hole is the proper size.

It is also worth studying the instructions included with the cat flap kit to find an outline of the template that can be used to mark out the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you to see where the opening needs to be and make sure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also helpful to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed in a straight line against the door.

Cut the Flap

Before you can put in your cat flap you must cut the door panel to make it large enough for it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting (read this post from telegra.ph) service for this job if you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. You can also read the instructions provided with the kit to discover how to do it right.

You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good guideline is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. This way, your cat will be able to go through the flap without difficulty and it will also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping difficult time trying to get in or out.

Once you've decided where the cat flap should be located, mark the location on the door using a pencil. Then, if your kit includes an outline of paper, place it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes into each corner of the template. You should then be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.

You can put in your cat flap installation near me flap yourself in an uPVC or wood door when you're confident with the Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle according to the way you'd like to cut it. Take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.

Once the hole is cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap onto its new home and make sure that it's securely fixed. If the flap has screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into your home.

Fit the Flap

If you have a simple cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to go through by placing a small amount of cat food in front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is accustomed to moving through the flap, it should be able to go in and out as it wants, so you can let it out and in without having to be there holding the door open to allow it in all day (and potentially in all weathers).

It is possible to fit a cat flap in an UPVC door or glass door, but it might not be as simple as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the opening for the flap and could affect the way your flap is fitted correctly after it has installed.

Depending on the model of cat flap installers flap you pick, it may come with its own mounting kit and a template that will show you exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template you can create one by yourself. When cutting, it is important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too far enough to make a larger hole than necessary in your door.

Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the proper position on your door, because if it's not, the cat can't use it and could be stranded outside all day (or even at night).

Certain models of cat flaps come with locks that permit you to control when your cat comes in and goes. These are very helpful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in the darkness, or you're at work all day. The lock can be turned on to allow entry or exit, and some can be locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely. This is especially beneficial for older or ill cats who don't want to go out in the rain.