Fitting a Cat Flap
The process of installing a cat flap may appear daunting however it's actually quite easy to do with the right instructions. Decide how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's at the belly height). Mark this point on your door and use the template provided as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and allow it to go through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent way to allow your pet to move in and out of your house as it likes. This can help with keeping your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to get back in if stuck outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. This will cut down on the time you allow your cat go in and out and also make your home safe by notifying you when it's gone.
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It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is placed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's stomach and the size of the doorway in your home to ensure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is a little longer or taller than the average, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door where you will be installing the flap. With the markings as a reference, use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap within the door. After cutting the flap and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
Fitting a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. The process can be slightly more difficult if you have to install it on a uPVC door or composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors come in different thicknesses, which can affect the way holes are cut. This is why we recommend calling an expert to do the work, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure
cat flap fitting near me can save yourself hours of ignoring the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is particularly useful for those who work most of the day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home in any weather.
If you want to fit a cat flap inside your door, it is crucial to measure your cat before attempting the task. It may appear to be a simple task, but it's essential to get the measurements right. Otherwise, your pet may have difficulty putting it in use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to hold them in a way that they are not able to move, and ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any way. You can take 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've got the measurement of your cat, it is time to look at the door and decide where to put the flap. The best option is to position the flap in the middle of your cat's stomach as this will help them to pass through it without much effort. This will also stop the flap making a lot of noise as it opens and closes.
You will also need to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are all of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall structure, which can make fitting the cat flap more difficult because you must make sure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
It is also worth looking through the instructions that come with the kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you to see where the opening must be and make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. It is also helpful to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template sits flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut a hole in the door panel for your cat flap before you can attach it. This is a difficult task and it is recommended to seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting service for this step should you not have the skills or experience to tackle it yourself. You can also read the instructions included with the kit to discover how to do it right.
To do this, you have to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as an indication point. As a rule of thumb put the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the cat's belly. This way, your cat can move through the flap without difficulty and also give any other cats or curious neighbours an issue when trying to leave or enter.
Once you've determined where the cat flap should be placed, mark this position on the door with the help of a pencil. Then, if your kit has a template for paper, place it over the door and use the marks to drill holes in every corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the template and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on an entryway made of wood or uPVC, it is possible to do this yourself if you are confident enough to use the Jigsaw. Be careful 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 circle depending on the way you want it. Be patient and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new home. Make sure that it is firmly secured. If it has caps for screws, then put these onto the screws that protrude. After the screws are installed smooth the edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block the entry of draughts into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to walk through by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your cat has become accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be able to come and go whenever it wants. This allows you to let it in and out as it wishes.
It is possible to put a cat flap in an UPVC door or glass door, however it may not be as simple as putting one in a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This can affect the way you cut the opening for the flap and can also affect whether your flap is fitted correctly after it has been installed.
Based on the type of cat flap you select, it may include a mounting kit and a template that will tell exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include a template you can create one by yourself. It is important not to press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't leave a bigger than necessary hole in your door.
Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, however there are some that are circular and these are generally more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is located in the correct place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able to access it, and might be locked outside for the entire day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that allow you to determine when your cat can enter and leave. These can be very useful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night and coming back in due to the darkness, or you're at work all day. The lock can be engaged to allow entry or exit, and some are locked in either direction allowing you to shut the door completely. This is particularly beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't willing to go out in rainy weather.