Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting, but it is fairly simple to install by following the correct instructions. Determine how high you would like your cat flap to be (normally it's at the belly height). Note this on your door, and use the template included to guide you when drilling. If you have a kitten that is still a newborn then gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to walk through. Reward the kitten each time it passes. Measure the Door A cat flap allows your pet to move into and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This can help keep your cat in good health as it will ensure that it is getting enough exercise and will also allow it to go back inside when it is trapped outside in bad weather. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat out or in, and keep your home secure by notifying you when it has left. It is important to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the width of the doorway in 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 by a tiny amount. Next, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the mark as an outline, cut the contour of your flap on the door with the help of a jigsaw. After you've cut the flap, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to. The process of installing a cat flap is not as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours for the entire job from start to completion. The process is slightly more challenging if you need to put it in a uPVC door or composite one. This is because composite doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which can affect the way holes are cut. We always recommend that you call an expert for your first time working with glass. Measure Your Cat You can avoid hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful if your cat is trapped in the house during all seasons while you work. It is important to measure your cat first before you begin the installation. Although it might appear to be a simple operation it is essential to measure the right way or your pet will find it difficult to use. Firstly, make sure your cat is relaxed and not stressed before you take the measurements. cat flap installers near me will need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any place. You can get 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 have your cat's measurements then you can examine the door to determine where to put 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 avoid the flap making lots of noise when it opens and closes. It is also important to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have the same thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall structure. This can make the installation of the flap for your cat more difficult as you must ensure that the hole is the right size. You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the position 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 set precisely on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to check that the template is flush against the door will also be very helpful. Cut the Flap Before you can put in your cat flap you must cut the door panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This can be a challenging task and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service for this job in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions provided with the kit to learn how to do it properly. You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good rule of thumb is to place the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap easily and make it more difficult for other cats or nosy neighbors to get in or out. Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using pencil. If your kit comes with a template, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you should be able cut out the template and replace it with the cat flap. You can install the cat flap yourself in an uPVC or wood door if you are confident with the Jigsaw. Be cautious 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 according to the way you want it. Take your time and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster. After the hole has been made, carefully place the cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure it is securely secured. If it features caps for screws, then put these onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home. Place the Flap If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through with your hands or with a stick. Once your pet 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 or in without keeping the door open to allow it in all day (and possibly in any weather). You can install the flap onto a UPVC or glass door however it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a wood exterior door due to the fact that UPVC and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could affect how you cut the opening for the flap and could affect the way your flap is fitted correctly after it has installed. The mounting kit may 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 not push the jigsaw hard so that you don't create a larger hole than is necessary in your door. Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are some that are circular, and are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is located in the right place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to use it, and might be locked outside for the entire day (or at night). Certain cat flaps have locks that let you control the time your cat enters and leaves. These can be very useful in the event that you are concerned about your cat going out at night and then coming back in due to the darkness, or if you're at work all day. The lock can be used to allow entry or exit, and some are locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely, which is particularly beneficial for older or ill cats who aren't keen on going out in the rain.