Fitting A Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting however it's actually quite easy to do with the right instructions. Determine how high you would like the flap to be (normally it's at belly height). Note this on the door and use the template as a guide to drill.

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

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap is an excellent method to allow your pet to move inside and out of your house as it wants. This will help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise and also being able to go back inside if trapped outside in bad weather, particularly during the winter. This will reduce the amount of time you allow your cat out or in and make your home secure by notifying you when it's left.

It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is placed properly to stop your pet from being pushed through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure the height of your pet's belly and the doorway to your home in order to make sure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is a little taller or shorter than average, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.

Next, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Then, using the mark as an outline, cut the form of the flap with the aid of a jigsaw. After cutting the area out then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.

The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as difficult as you may think and it should not take more than two hours to complete the entire task from start to finish. The process is a bit more challenging if you need to install it on the form of a uPVC door or composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors with cat flap are available in various thicknesses, which can affect the way the holes are cut. This is why we always recommend calling a professional to carry out the work, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

You will not have to spend hours of listening to the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is especially helpful if you are at work all day and your cat flap installation bristol has to stay inside waiting until you get home in any weather.

If you're planning to put a cat flap on your door, it is crucial to measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might appear to be a simple operation it is crucial to measure the right way or your cat will find it very difficult to use.

Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position where they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail can allow you to get an precise measurement.

Once you have your cat's measurement, it's time to examine the door to decide where to place the flap. It is advisable to place the flap at the height of your cat's belly as this will help them to pass through it without much effort. This will also stop the flap making a lot of noise as it swings open and shut.

You should think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. Although timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall construction and this can make the installation of a cat flap more complicated since you have to make sure the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.

You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole on the door. This will help you to see where the opening must be and make sure the template is properly placed on the door. It is also a good idea to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed perfectly against the door.

Cut the Flap

Before you can install your cat flap you must cut the door panel in order to make a space big enough for it. This can be a daunting job and it is recommended that you get a professional assist you if you don't have the skills or experience. It is also recommended that you consult the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do this properly.

You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. A good rule of thumb is to place the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters away from the ground since this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. Your cat will be able to go through the flap without difficulty and will also make any other cats or curious neighbours difficult time trying to leave or enter.

Once you've determined the best location for the cat flap to be placed, mark this location on the door using pencil. If your kit has an outline you can place it on the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you should be able to cut out the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.

If you are installing your cat flap inside an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if you are comfortable with using a jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut through any of the door 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. Take your time and don't try to try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.

Once the hole is cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap of cat food into its new home and make sure that it is firmly fixed. If it features screw caps, then push these onto the protruding screws. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will block drafts from entering your home.

Place the Flap

If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the front of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through with your hands or a stick. Once your cat has become used to walking through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap as it pleases. This will allow you to let it in and out at any time it wishes.

You can fit an animal flap inside the UPVC or glass doors although this may not be exactly the same as fitting one into a wood external door because UPVC and some glass cat flap installation near me doors don't have the same thickness. This could have an enormous impact on how you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.

Depending on the type of cat flap you select It could be equipped with a mounting kit and a template that will tell precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include the template you can copy it to create your own. It's important not to press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't make a larger than necessary hole in your door.

Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, however there are some that are circular, and they are typically more difficult to place. If you have a round flap, make sure the hole is in the right place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to access it, and may be stuck outside the whole day (or night).

Some models of cat flap have locks that allow you to control when your cat comes in and goes. They are helpful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark, or coming back inside at night. They can also be helpful if you work all day. The lock can be used to allow entry or exit, and some can be locked in either direction allowing you to shut the door completely, which is especially helpful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go out in rainy weather.