Fitting a Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may appear daunting, but it is fairly simple by following the correct instructions. Decide how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's located at belly height). Mark this point on your door, and use the template provided to guide you when drilling.

If you have a kitten that is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to walk through. Reward the kitten every time it goes through.

Measure the Door

A cat flap is a wonderful way to allow your pet to come and go inside and out of your home whenever it likes. This can keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it is getting enough exercise and be able to go back inside if it is trapped in the elements during bad weather. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat out or in and also make your home safer by notifying you when it's gone.

It is important to make sure that the cat flap is placed properly to stop your pet from being pushed through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the height of the doorway in your home to ensure the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the position of your flap when your cat is smaller or taller than average.

Next, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the shape of the flap using the help of a Jigsaw. Once you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes required.

Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process can be slightly more challenging if you need to put it in a upvc door panel with cat flap door or composite one. This is because composite doors are available in various thicknesses, which can impact the way the holes are cut. We recommend to consult with an expert when this is your first experience working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

A cat flap can save you from listening to your pet meow for you to let it in or out. This is especially helpful if you are at working all day and your cat is stuck in the waiting room until you come home regardless of the weather.

It is important to measure your cat first before you begin the installation. While it may seem a simple operation it is crucial to get the measurement right or your cat will find it very difficult to use.

First, ensure that your cat is calm and not feeling stressed prior to taking the measurements. You will need to hold them in a manner that they are not able to move, and make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any place. Holding the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the base of their tail can allow you to make an precise measurement.

Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide where to place 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. This will also stop the flap from making a lot noise when it swings back and forth.

You must think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While timber doors are of a similar thickness, replacement upvc door panels with cat flap and composite doors can be very different in their overall construction and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult since you have to ensure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.

It is also worth studying the instructions that come with the kit to find an illustration template that can be used to determine the location of the hole in the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole needs to be located and make sure that the template is placed properly on the door. Using a spirit level to check that the template is right against the door will be extremely helpful.

Cut the Flap

Before you can install your cat flap you must cut the door panel to make it large enough to accommodate it. This can be a challenging task and it is recommended to get help from a professional cat flap fitting (information from Zsluoping) service to complete this task if you don't have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. You can also read the instructions provided with the kit to learn how to do it right.

You can consider the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. As a general rule, place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the typical height of the belly for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and make it more difficult for other cats or naughty neighbors to get in or out.

Once you've decided where the cat flap should be positioned, mark this position on the door with pencil. Next, if your kit comes with an outline of paper, place this over the door and use the markings to drill holes into each corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the template and replace it with the cat flap in upvc door panel flap.

If you are installing your cat flap inside the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, it is possible to do this yourself if you are confident enough to use the Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient, and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.

Once the hole is cut, carefully fit the flap of cat flap installation near me food into its new location and make sure that it is firmly fixed. If the flap has screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut then seal any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home.

Place the Flap

If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your cat is comfortable walking 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's wanted.

It is possible to fit an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, but it's not as easy as installing one in a wooden external door. This is because the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This can have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the hole for the flap, and could affect the way your flap will fit properly once it's been installed.

Depending on the model of cat flap you pick It may include a mounting kit as well as a template that will show exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to make one by yourself. It's important to not use the jigsaw to in order to cut, so it doesn't make a larger than necessary hole in your door.

Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are also some which are circular and these are usually more difficult to place. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the correct position on your door because if it's not, your cat won't be able to use it and may be stuck out in the sun all day (or even at night).

Some models of cat flap have locks which allow you to control when your cat comes and goes. This is useful for pets who are afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back in the dark. They are also useful when you are working all day. The lock can be turned on for entry or exit and some are locked in either direction permitting you to close the door completely. This is particularly beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go out in the rain.