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 want the cat flap to be (on average, belly height). Mark this point on the door and then use the template as a reference 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 encourage it to pass through. Reward the kitten each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a wonderful option to allow your pet to move inside and out of your home whenever it pleases. This can keep your cat healthy as it will ensure that it is exercising regularly and will also allow it to go back inside when it is trapped in the elements during bad weather. This can reduce the time you allow your cat in or out and make your home secure by letting you know when it's left.
It is crucial 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). It is essential to measure the height of your pet's belly and the doorway of your house in order to make sure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the average, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. With the markings as a guideline, you can use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap within the door. After you've cut the area, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes required.
The installation of a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process could be slightly more complicated when you have to install it inside 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 fixed into. This is why we always recommend calling a professional to carry out the task, especially in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet meow to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful when your cat is in the house during all seasons while you are at work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on your door, it is crucial to measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might seem like to be a simple task, it is crucial to get the measurement right or your cat will be unable to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any way. You can take a precise 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 got the measurement of your cat, it's time to look at the door and decide on where to put the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door without much effort. cat flap fitting will also stop the flap from making a lot of noise when it swings back and forward.
You should think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. Although timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall design and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult because you must make sure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine the location where the opening should be, and also to ensure that the template is properly placed on the door. It is also beneficial to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you need to cut the door panel to make it large enough for it. This can be a daunting job and it is recommended that you hire a professional to assist you if you do not have the knowledge or skills. You can also read the instructions provided with the kit to discover how to do it right.
To do this, you have to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly. Use this as an indicator point. As a rule of thumb, place the cat flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap without difficulty and make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to get inside or out.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using the pencil. If your kit comes with an outline of paper, place it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the template and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap inside a door made from wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if are comfortable with using a jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a circle or square according to the design of your cat flap. Make sure to take your time and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the flap onto its new location and make sure that it's securely fixed. If it features caps for screws, then put these onto the protruding screws. 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 walk through by putting a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hands or with a stick. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap it should be able to go in and out as it wishes, so you can let it out and in without keeping the door open for it all day (and likely in any weather).
It is possible to fit an animal flap into a UPVC door or a glass door, but it may not be as simple as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on how you cut the hole for the flap, and could affect the way your flap fits correctly once it's been installed.
The mounting kit might include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to create one on your own. It's important not to press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't create a larger than necessary hole in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular designs, which are more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the right location on your door as if it's not, the cat will not be able to use the flap and could be left out in the sun all day (or even at night).
Certain models of cat flaps come with locks that allow you to regulate when your cat comes and goes. These are useful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark or coming back to the house at night. They can also be helpful for those who work all day. Some locks can be used to lock access or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is useful for sick or older cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.