Fitting a Cat Flap The process of installing a cat flap may appear daunting but it's simple with the right instructions. Find out how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Then, mark this area on the door, and use the template as a guide to drill.

If you have a young kitten, prop the door open a bit and gradually push it to go through. Reward the kitten each time it goes through.

Measure the Door

A cat flap is a wonderful option to let your pet leave and come inside and out of your home whenever it likes. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by making sure that it gets exercise as well as being able to go back in if left outside in bad weather, particularly during the winter. This will cut down on the time you have to let your cat out or in and make your home safe by letting you know when it has left.

It is essential to make sure that the cat flap is placed properly to stop your pet from being forced through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly and the size of the doorway in your home to ensure the flap is at the right height. If your cat is larger or shorter than the average, you can alter the flap's position by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.

The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the marks as an indication, cut out the form of your flap on the door with a jigsaw. After you've cut the flap, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.

The process of installing the cat flap isn't as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours for the entire process from beginning to finish. The process can be slightly more challenging if you need to install it in the form of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors come in different thicknesses, which could affect the way the holes are cut. We always suggest to consult with an expert if this is your first experience working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

You can save yourself hours of listening to the pet meow to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful if your cat is trapped inside during the winter months when you are at work.

If you are planning to install a cat flap in your door it is important to determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. Although it might seem like a simple operation it is crucial to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will find it very difficult to use.

First of all, make sure that your cat is relaxed and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any way. Keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the bottom of their tail will allow you to determine an precise measurement.

Once you've determined your cat's measurement, it's time to look at the door to decide the best place to place the flap. A good tip is to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly because this will allow them to move through it with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap from making too much noise as it moves back and forward.

You must consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While all timber doors have the same thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This makes the installation of an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you must ensure that the hole is the proper size.

You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the location of the opening on the door. This will allow you to see where the opening must be and also ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also beneficial to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed in a straight line against the door.

Cut the Flap

You'll need to make an opening in the door panel for your cat flap before you can install it. cat flap cover for winter can be a challenging job, and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter to complete this task if you don't have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. You can also consult the instructions included in the kit to find out how to do it correctly.


To do this you need to determine the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as an indicator point. In general, place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the belly for cats. This way, your cat can move through the flap without difficulty and also give other cats or snooping neighbours difficult time trying to leave or enter.

Once you've determined the best location for the cat flap to be placed, mark this position on the door with pencil. If your kit has the template you can place it on the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you should be able cut out the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.

If you are installing your cat flap in a door made from wood or uPVC, it is possible to do this yourself if you are confident enough to use a jigsaw. Be sure not to cut into the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle, depending on how you want it. Make sure to take your time and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.

After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the cat flap into its new home and ensure that it's securely fixed. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.

Install the Flap

If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by putting a small amount of cat food in front of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hand 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 out or in without to open the door to allow it in all day (and possibly in any weather).

It is possible to put an animal flap into the UPVC doors or glass door, however it might not be as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is due to the fact that UPVC doors and some types of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut the opening for the flap and could affect the way your flap fits correctly once it's been installed.

Depending on the type of cat flap you select, it may be equipped with a mounting kit as well as a template that shows exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template you can copy it to make your own. 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.

Some cat flaps come in circular designs, which are more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the correct location on your door as if it's not, the cat can't use it and could be stranded out in the sun all day (or even at night).

Certain cat flaps have locks that let you control the time your cat can enter and leave. These are very helpful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in because of the darkness, or you're working all day. The lock can be used for entry or exit and some locks can be locked in both directions, allowing you to shut the door completely. This is particularly beneficial for sick or elderly cats who aren't willing to go out in the rain.