It might seem daunting to set up the flap for your cat but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Determine how high you would like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at the belly height). Note this on your door and then use the template included as a guide when drilling.
If you have a small kitten you can prop the door open very slightly and gradually push it to pass through. Reward the kitten every time it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to move into and out of your home at any time. This can help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is exercising as well as being able to go back in if stuck outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. It can also reduce the amount of time you need to let it out or in and can also keep your home safe by letting you know when it's been out.
It is essential 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 determine the height of your pet's belly as well as the height of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the position of your flap when your cat is taller or less than average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the centre of the door that you will put the flap. Then, using the markings as an indication, cut out the shape of your 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.
The process of fitting a cat flap isn't as difficult as you may think and it should not take more than two hours to complete the entire job from start to the end. However, the process may be a little more complicated if you need to fit it onto the frame of a uPVC or composite door as these doors have various thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. We always suggest to consult with an expert for your first time working with glass.
Measure cat flap install will save you from hours of hearing your pet's cries for you to let it out or in. This is especially helpful when you're at work all day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home in any weather.
If you're planning to put a cat flap on your door, it is essential that you measure your cat before attempting the task. It may seem like a simple task, but it is important to measure your cat correctly. Otherwise, your pet might find it difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to hold them in a way that they are not able to move, and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any place. Keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the base of their tail can allow you to get an precise measurement.
Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat, it's time to look at the door and decide on where to put the flap. It is advisable to place the flap at the height of your cat's belly as this will help them to pass through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and shut.
You must take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While all timber doors have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This makes fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is the right size.
It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to locate an illustration template that can be used to mark out the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you to see the location where the opening should be, and also to ensure that the template is properly placed on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to ensure that the template is right against the door will also be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap before you can put it in place. It's a challenging task, so it's recommended that you engage a professional to assist you if you don't have the expertise or experience. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to find out how to do this properly.
You can take the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. A good rule of thumb is to place the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters off the ground, as this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and will make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to get inside or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with the pencil. If your kit comes with a template you can place it on the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes in each corner. Then, you should be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do this yourself if you feel confident enough to handle the jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or circle according to the design of your cat flap. Be patient, and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is made and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap onto its new home and make sure that it is firmly secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also push the cat with the help of a stick or your hands. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap it will be able to move in and out as it wants, so you can let it out or in without having to be there keeping the door open for it all day (and potentially in any weather).
It is possible to put an animal flap into a UPVC door or a glass door, however it's not as simple as putting one on a wooden external door. This is because the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This could have an enormous impact on how you cut the flap hole and also whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
Depending on the type of cat flap you select It could be equipped with a mounting kit and a template that will tell exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template you can create one yourself. It's important not to push the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't make a larger than necessary hole in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, make sure that the hole is located in the correct spot on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to access it, and might be outside all day (or night).
Some cat flaps have locks which allow you to control when your cat comes in and goes. These can be very useful if you're concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in because of the darkness, or if you're at work all day. Some locks can be used for either entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to venture out in cold weather.