Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to set up the flap for your cat, but with the right instructions, it's not too difficult. First, determine the height you want the cat flap to be (on average the belly height). Note this on your door and then use the included template to guide you when drilling.

If you have a kitten, or a young kitten, prop the door slightly open and gradually push it to enter. Reward it as it passes through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at any time. This will help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to get back in if left outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat go in and out and also make your home secure by notifying you when it's gone.

However, it is important that the flap on your cat is properly fitted to stop your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine your pet's belly height and the entrance to your home in order to ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is longer or taller than the average, you can adjust the flap's height 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 be installing the flap. With the markings as a guide, take the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap inside the door. After you've cut the area then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.

The process of fitting a cat flap is not as difficult as you believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire job from start to the end. However, the process may be a little more complicated when you have to install it inside the frame of a uPVC or composite door as these doors have an array of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed to. This is the reason we recommend hiring a professional to complete the job, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

A cat flap will save you from hours of hearing your pet's cries for you to let it out or in. This is especially helpful if you are at work most of the day and your cat is stuck in the waiting room until you come home in all weathers.

It is crucial to first measure your cat before attempting to install. It might seem like a straightforward task, but it is essential to get the measurements right. In the event that you don't, your cat may find it difficult to use.

First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not feeling stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position that they are unable to move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. You can get an accurate measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.

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 place the flap. Position 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 prevent the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and shut.

It is also important to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall structure and can make fitting a cat flap more difficult since you have to ensure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.

You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the opening on the door. This will help you to see the location where the opening should be, and also to ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also a good idea to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is perfectly against the door.

Cut the Flap

Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll must cut the door panel in order to create a space large enough to accommodate it. It can be a difficult job and it is recommended that you engage a professional to help you if you lack the knowledge or skills. It is also recommended that you read the instructions included with the kit to discover how to do this correctly.

To do this you need to measure the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use that as an indicator point. In general you should place the flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the stomach for cats. This way, your cat will be able to move through the flap with ease and will also make the other cats or neighbours who are snooping an issue when trying to get in or out.

Once you've decided the best location for the cat flap to be located, mark the position on the door with the help of a pencil. If your kit includes a template put it on top of the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you should be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.

You can put in your cat flap yourself on an uPVC or wood door if you are confident with the Jigsaw. Be  upvc cat flap door panels  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. Remember to take your time and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.

Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new home. Make sure that it is firmly secured. 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, and then seal any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming into your home.

Fit the Flap

If you have a basic cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a little bit of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with sticks or your hand. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap it should be able to go into and out as it pleases and you should be able to let it out and in without keeping the door open for it throughout the day (and possibly in all weathers).

It is possible to put a cat flap in the UPVC doors or glass door, but it may not be as simple as putting one inside a wooden exterior door. This is due to the fact that the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This could have a significant impact on how you cut out the flap's hole and how well the flap fits after installation.

Depending on the type of cat flap you choose It may come with its own mounting kit as well as a template that will show you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template you can copy it to create your own. When cutting, it is important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too to the point that you make a larger hole than is necessary in your door.

Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape but there are some that are circular, and are usually more difficult to place. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the right location on your door as in the event that it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and could be left out in the sun all day (or even at night).

Some cat flaps come with locks that allow you to control when your cat comes in and goes. They are helpful for pets who are afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back inside at night. They are also useful if you work all 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 especially beneficial for older or ill cats who aren't willing to go out in rainy weather.