Fitting A Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to set up a cat flap but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Decide how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Mark this point on your door, and use the template provided to help you drill.

If you have a small kitten hold the door slightly open and gradually encourage it to pass through. Reward the kitten as it passes.

Measure the Door

A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at any time. This can help keep your cat in good health as it will ensure that it is exercising regularly and also be able to go back inside when it is stranded in the elements during bad weather. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat flap fitting near me in or out and also make your home safer by letting you know when it has left.

It is crucial that the cat flap is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway to your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is larger or shorter than the normal, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it up or down a small amount.

The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the center of the door where you will put the flap. Using the marking as a reference, use an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap inside the door. After you've cut the area and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.

The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours to complete the entire process from beginning to the end. The process is a bit more difficult if you have to put it in the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because composite doors are available in various thicknesses, which could affect the way that holes are cut. We always recommend that you call an expert if this is your first time working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

You can avoid hours of listening to the pet meow to be let in or out. This is especially useful if your cat is trapped inside in all weathers when you are at work.

It is important to measure your cat's measurements first before attempting to install. Although it might seem like a simple operation it is important to get the measurement right or your cat may find it very difficult to use.

First, ensure that your cat is relaxed and not anxious prior to taking the 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 take a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.

Once you've determined your cat's measurement then you can look at 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 window with cat flap minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from 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. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This could make the process of the installation of a 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 position of the opening on the door. This will help you determine where the hole needs to be placed and ensure that the template is positioned precisely on the door. Using a spirit level to make sure that the template is sitting flush against the door will prove beneficial.

Cut the Flap

Before you can install your cat flap you have to cut the door panel in order to make it large enough to accommodate it. This can be a challenging job, and it is recommended to get help from a professional cat flap fitting service for this step in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. You can also consult the instructions included in the kit to find out how to do it correctly.

To do this, you will need to measure the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as an indicator point. A good guideline is to set the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is the typical belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap easily and make it more difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to enter or exit.

Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. Next, if your kit has a template for paper, place it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes in every corner of the template. 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 on a door made from wood or uPVC, it is possible to do it yourself if you feel confident enough to handle 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 square or a circle according to the way you'd like to cut it. Be patient and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.

Once the hole is cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the cat flap into its new home and make sure that it's securely fixed. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed smooth the edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block drafts from entering your home.

Install the Flap

If you have a basic cat flap you can leave it open and encourage your pet to use it by putting a little bit of cat food in front of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your pet has become comfortable moving through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap at will. This will allow you to let it in and out at any time it wishes.

You can install a cat flap into the UPVC or glass doors however it's not exactly the same as fitting one into a timber exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC and glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could affect the way you cut the opening for the flap and will also affect whether the flap fits correctly once it's installed.

Based on the type of cat flap you choose It could be equipped with a mounting kit as well as a template that shows precisely where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include the template you can copy it to create your own. It is important not to push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't create a larger than needed hole in your door.

Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are also some which are circular, and are typically more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, ensure that the hole is in the correct spot on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to use it, and might be outside all day (or night).

Some models of cat flaps for french doors flap come with locks that let you regulate when your cat comes and goes. These can be very useful if you're worried about your pet going out at night and then coming back in due to the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be engaged to allow entry or exit, and some locks can be locked in both directions, which allows you to close the door completely, which is particularly beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who don't want to go out in the rain.