Fitting a cat flap can be a bit daunting, but it is fairly simple by following the correct instructions. Determine how high you would like the flap to be (normally it’s located at belly height). Then, mark this area on the door, and use the template as a reference to drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn then gently prop the door slightly open and allow it to walk through. Reward the kitten each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a great option to allow your pet to come and go into and out of your home as it wants. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it gets exercise and also being able to go back in if trapped outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. This will cut down on the time you spend letting your cat out or in, and keep your home safe by notifying you when it’s gone.
It is important to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly to stop your pet from being pushed through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet’s belly as well as the doorway to your home to ensure that the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the height of your flap if your cat flap glass door installation near me is smaller or taller than the average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the centre of the door where you will be installing the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the shape of the flap using the help of a Jigsaw. After you’ve cut the area, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are needed.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process may be a bit more difficult when you have to install it inside a uPVC or composite door as these doors come in a wide range of thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and what they are inserted into. We always recommend to contact an expert for your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hearing your pet’s cries to let it out or in. This is especially helpful for cats that are inside in all weathers when you are at work.
It is important to measure your cat’s measurements first before you begin the installation. Although it might seem like an easy task, it is essential to measure the right way or your pet will find it very difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place in which they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the tip of their tail will allow you to determine an precise measurement.
Once you’ve figured out the measurements of your cat’s body, it’s time to take a look at the door and decide on where you want to place the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat’s belly. This will allow them to pass through the door without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise as it swings back door with cat flap fitted and forth.
You should also think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite door cat flap doors may differ in their overall design. This makes the installation of a flap for your cat more difficult as you need to ensure the hole is the proper size.
It is also worth reading through the directions included with the cat flap kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to determine the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole needs to be located and ensure that the template is placed precisely on the door. Using a spirit-level to make sure that the template is sitting flush against the door will be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
You’ll need to make an opening in the door panel to install your cat flap before you can attach it. 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 read the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do it right.
You can consider the height of the cat’s or kitten’s stomach to guide you. As a rule of thumb you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average height of the belly for cats. This way your cat will be able to move through the flap without difficulty and it will also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping a tough time trying to enter or leave.
Once you have determined where the cat flap should be placed, mark this location on the door using a pencil. Next, if your kit comes with a paper template, lay it over the door and use the marks to drill holes into every corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself in the door made of wood or uPVC when you’re confident using a jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square, depending on how you want it. Remember to take your time and don’t try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully fit the cat flap into its new location and make sure that it’s securely fixed. If the flap is fitted with screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut then seal any gaps to ensure that there aren’t any draughts entering 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 of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap it will be able to move into and out as it wishes so you can let it in or out without having to be there holding the door open for it throughout the day (and potentially in all weather conditions).
You can fit the flap onto the upvc door panel replacement cat flap or glass doors although this may not be exactly the same as fitting one into a wood external door because upvc door panel replacement cat flap and some glass doors don’t have a consistent thickness. This can have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the hole for the flap and will also affect whether the flap fits correctly once it’s been put in place.
The mounting kit could contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to create one yourself. When cutting, it’s important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too to the point that you create a larger hole than you need in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular designs, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, it’s essential to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door, because if it’s not, the cat won’t be able to use it and could be stranded outside all day (or even at night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that allow you to regulate when your cat is allowed to enter and leave. They can be extremely useful in the event that you are worried about your cat going out at night only to come back in the darkness, or if you’re at work all day. The lock can be used to allow or deny entry, and some are locked in either direction permitting you to close the door completely. This is especially beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren’t willing to go out in bad weather.
