Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting but it's simple to install with the right instructions. Firstly, determine how high you want the cat flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the included template to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn then gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to pass through. Reward it when it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise as well as being able to go back in if it is stuck outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat out or in and also make your home safer by letting you know when it's gone.
However, it is important that the flap on your cat is properly fitted to stop your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's stomach and the size of the doorway at your home to ensure the flap is at the correct height. You can alter the height of your flap when your cat is taller or less than the average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Using the marking as a reference, use an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap within the door. After you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes required.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. However, the process could be a bit more difficult if you need to fit it onto the frame of a uPVC or composite door because these doors have various thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. We recommend to contact an expert if this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from listening to your pet meow to let it out or in. This is particularly useful when you're at work most of the day and your cat is in the waiting room until you come home in any weather.
It is essential to measure your cat first before you begin the installation. It may appear to be a simple task, but it is essential to get the measurements right. Otherwise, your pet might find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. 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 is time to take a look at the door and decide where to place the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door without much effort. This will also prevent the flap making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and closed.
You will need to think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While all timber doors have the same thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall structure. This makes the process of putting in the flap for your cat more difficult as you must ensure that the hole is of the correct size.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will help you to see the location where the opening should be and ensure that the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting right against the door will also be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap before you can install it. This can be a daunting job so it's recommended you hire a professional to assist you if you do not have the expertise or experience. You can also read the instructions that come with the kit to discover how to do it correctly.
To do this you need to measure the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as an indicator point. In general put the flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the typical height of the stomach for cats. Your cat will be able to move through the flap comfortably and it will also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping an issue when trying to leave or enter.
Once you've determined where the cat flap should be placed, mark this position on the door with the help of a pencil. If your kit has an outline put it on top of the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you should be able to cut the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if you are comfortable with the jigsaw. Be careful 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 depending on the way you'd like it. Make sure to take your time and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole has been made, carefully place the cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure it is securely secured. If it features caps for screws, then put these caps onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut, and then seal any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Place cat flap install Repair My Windows And Doors
If you have a basic cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a little bit of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through using your hand or a stick. Once your cat has become accustomed to moving through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap as it pleases. This lets you let it in and out at any time it wants.
You can fit the flap onto the UPVC or glass doors although this may not be exactly the same as fitting it into a wooden external door because UPVC and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
Depending on the type of cat flap you select, it may come with its own mounting kit and a template that shows you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to make one on your own. When cutting, it's important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too to the point that you create a larger hole than you need in your door.
Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are also some which are circular and these are generally more difficult to place. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door because in the event that it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and may be stuck outside all day (or even at night).
Some models of cat flap have locks which permit you to regulate when your cat comes and goes. These are useful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark or returning inside at night. They can also be useful for those who work all day. The lock can be engaged to allow or deny entry, and some can be locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely. This is especially beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who don't want to go out in bad weather.