Fitting a Cat Flap

fitting a cat flap; read this, can appear daunting but it's simple to install with the right instructions. First, determine the height you would like the flap to be (on average the belly height). Then, mark this area on the door and then use the template provided as a guide to drill.

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

Measure the Door

A cat flap lets your pet to go in and out of your home at its convenience. This will help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is exercising and also being able to come back in if trapped outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This will cut down on the time you have to let your cat go in and out and make your home safer by notifying you when it has left.

It is crucial that the flap on your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly and the entrance to your home so that you can ensure that the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the height of your flap if your cat is taller or smaller than the average.

The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the center of the door, where you will be installing the flap. With the markings as a guideline, you can use a jigsaw and cut out the form of the flap within the door. After you have cut the area and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.

The process of installing a cat flap isn't as difficult as you think and it should not take more than two hours to finish the entire job from start to completion. The process can be slightly more challenging if you need to install it on a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors are available in a variety of thicknesses, which can impact the way the holes are cut. We always suggest to contact an expert for your first experience working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the cat's meows to be let in or out. This is especially helpful if you are at work all day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home regardless of the weather.

It is crucial to measure your cat's measurements first before you attempt the installation. While it may seem an easy task, it is essential to make sure you measure correctly or your pet will find it very difficult to use.

First, ensure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a manner that they are not able to move, and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not arching in any places. Holding the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the base of their tail can allow you to get an exact measurement.

Once you have your cat's measurements then you can examine the door to decide where to place the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to walk through the door with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap making a lot of noise as it swings open and closed.

You must take into consideration 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 structure, which can make fitting a cat flap more complicated since you have to make sure the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.

It is also worth studying the instructions included with the kit to find an illustration template that can be used to determine the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole should be located and ensure that the template is placed precisely on the door. It is also beneficial to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is in a straight line against the door.

Cut the Flap

Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll must cut the door panel to make it large enough to accommodate it. This can be a tricky job, and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting service to complete this task should you not have the expertise or knowledge to tackle it yourself. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to find out how to do this correctly.

To do this you need to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as a reference point. As a general rule put the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the belly for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap without difficulty and make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbors to get in or out.

Once you've decided the best location for the cat flap to be located, mark the position on the door with pencil. If your kit comes with a template you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you should be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.

If you are installing your cat flap in a door made from wood or upvc door panels cat flap, it is possible to do it yourself if you feel confident enough to handle using a jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut through any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square, depending on the design of your cat flap. Take your time, and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.

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

Install the Flap

If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat flap cost through with your hands or with a stick. Once your cat is comfortable walking through the flap, it will be in a position to move as it pleases. This allows you to let it in and out whenever it wishes.

You can install the flap onto an UPVC or glass door although this may not be exactly the same as fitting it into a wooden exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC and glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This can have a major impact on the way you cut the flap's hole and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.

Depending on the type of cat flap you select It could include a mounting kit and template that will tell you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with an example, you can photocopy it to create your own. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw far enough to create a bigger hole than you need in your door.

Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, ensure that the hole is in the correct spot on your door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able use it, and could be locked outside for the entire day (or night).

Certain cat flaps come with locks that allow you to determine when your double glazing cat flap can enter and leave. These are very helpful in the event that you are concerned about your cat going out at night and coming back in the darkness, or if you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be used for 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 aren't keen on going out in rainy weather.