It might seem daunting to set up a cat flap but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Firstly, determine how high you would like the flap to be (on average the belly height). Then, mark this area on your door, and use the template provided to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn then gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to walk through. Reward it as it passes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to enter and exit your home at its convenience. This will keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it gets enough exercise and also be able to go back inside if it gets trapped in the elements during bad weather. It can also cut down on the amount of time you have to let it in or out and can ensure your home is secure by letting you know when it has gone out.
It is important to make sure that the cat flap is installed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's stomach and the width of the doorway in your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. You can alter the height of your flap when your cat is taller or less than average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap in the door. After you've cut the area out and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
The installation of a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process can be a bit more difficult if you need to fit it into the door of a uPVC or composite door as these doors come with a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. This is why we always recommend calling a professional to carry out the work, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hours of hearing your pet's cries to let it in or out. This is particularly useful when you're at working all day and your cat has to stay in the waiting room until you come home in any weather.
It is essential to measure your cat first before attempting to install. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your pet will find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to hold them in a position where they cannot move and make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and 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 enable you to make an precise measurement.
Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide on where to put the flap. The best option is to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly as this will help them to move through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making too much noise when it swings back and forward.
You will also need to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are all of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall design and this can make the installation of a cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the opening on the door. This will allow you determine the location where the opening should be, and also to make sure the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit level to make sure that the template is flush against the door can prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut an opening in the door panel for your cat flap prior to you can put it in place. This can be a daunting job so it's recommended you hire a professional to help you if you lack the knowledge or skills. You can also consult the instructions included in the kit to find out how to do it properly.
You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. As a rule of thumb, place the cat flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the typical height of the cat's belly. This way your cat will be able to move through the flap without difficulty and will also make other cats or snooping neighbours an issue when trying to leave or enter.
Once you have determined where the cat flap should be located, mark the position on the door with pencil. If your kit comes with an outline put it on top of the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes in each corner. After that, you'll be able cut out the template and replace it with the flap for cats.
If you are installing your cat flap in an entryway made of wood or uPVC, it is possible to do this yourself if you feel confident enough to handle a Jigsaw. Be cautious 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 depending on the way you want it. cat flap fitters near me and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully fit the flap onto its new location and make sure that it is firmly secured. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed smooth the edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent drafts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to go through by putting a little bit of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through with your hands or with a stick. Once your pet has become accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap at will. This will allow you to let it in and out as it wants.
You can install an animal flap inside a 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 doors and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole, and how well the flap fits after installation.
The mounting kit may include a template that shows you where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to make one on your own. When cutting, it's crucial to avoid pushing the jigsaw too hard so that you don't create a bigger hole than is necessary in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door, because if it's not, your cat can't use it and may be stuck out in the sun all day (or even at night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you regulate when your cat enters and leaves. These are useful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They are also useful if you work all day. Certain locks can be used to lock entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for sick or older cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.