Fitting a cat flap can seem intimidating, but it is fairly easy to do by following the correct instructions. First, determine the height you want the cat flap to be (on average, belly height). Mark this point on your door, and use the included template as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn then gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to pass through. Reward it as it passes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a wonderful method to let your pet move into and out of your home as it wants. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to get back inside if trapped outside in bad weather, particularly during the winter. This will cut down on the time you have to let your cat go in and out and also make your home safer by notifying you when it has left.
However, it is important that the flap for 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 important to measure the height of your pet's belly and the doorway to your home in order to make sure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is a little taller or shorter than average, you can alter the flap's height by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the center of the door that you will be installing the flap. Then, using the markings as a guideline, cut out the contour of the flap using the aid of a Jigsaw. Once you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes that are required.
The process of installing a cat flap is not as difficult as you may think and it should not take more than two hours to complete the entire process from beginning to the end. However, cat flap installer near me repairmywindowsanddoors may be slightly more complicated if you need to fit it onto a uPVC or composite door since these doors have a wide range of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and what they are inserted into. This is the reason we recommend hiring an expert to do the work, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet meow to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful when your cat is inside during the winter months while you work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap in your door, it is essential that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. It may seem like a straightforward task, but it's crucial to make sure you measure the right measurements. Otherwise, your pet might find it difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a position where they cannot move and also make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any way. You can get a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've got your cat's measurements then you can examine the door to decide the best place to place the flap. A good tip is to position the flap in the middle of your cat's belly as this will help them to move through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise as it moves back and forth.
You must think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While timber doors are all of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall design and this can make the installation of the cat flap more difficult as you will need to make sure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you determine where the opening must be and also make sure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Using a spirit level to make sure that the template is sitting in a straight line against the door can be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you need to cut the door's panel to make a space big enough for it. This can be a tricky job, and it is recommended that you get help from a professional cat flap fitting service for this step in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to tackle it yourself. You can also consult the instructions included with the kit to discover how to do it correctly.
To do this, you have to determine the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use that as an indication point. A good rule of thumb is to set the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters from the ground as this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This way your cat will be able to go through the flap with ease and also give other cats or snooping neighbours difficult time trying to enter or leave.
Once you've determined the location where the cat flap needs to be located, mark the location on the door using the help of a pencil. Then, if your kit comes with an outline of paper, place this over the door and use the markings to drill holes in each corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in a door made from wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if you feel confident enough to handle a jigsaw. Be careful 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'd like to cut it. Take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been made, carefully place the cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will prevent draughts from entering your home.
Place the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can encourage your pet through 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 with a stick. Once your pet has become comfortable walking through the flap, it will be in a position to move as it pleases. This will allow you to let it in and out at any time it wants.
You can install a cat flap into a UPVC or glass door but it's not as simple as fitting it into a wooden external door because UPVC and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have an enormous impact on how you cut the flap's hole, and how well the flap fits after installation.
Based on the type of cat flap you pick It may come with its own mounting kit and a template that will tell you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to create one yourself. When cutting, it's crucial to not push the jigsaw far enough to create a larger hole than necessary in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are some that are circular, and they are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a round flap, make sure that the hole is in the right place on the door. If not, your cat might not be able use it, and may be locked outside for the entire day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that allow you to regulate when your cat enters and leaves. This is useful for pets who are afraid of going out in the dark or returning to the house at night. They can also be helpful for those who work all day. Some locks can be used to lock entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.
