It may seem difficult to set up a cat flap however, with the proper instructions it's not that hard. Find out how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's at the belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and use the included template to help you drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby then gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to pass through. Reward cat flap fitting near me moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is an excellent option to allow your pet to leave and come into and out of your home as it wants. 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 inside if stuck outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you'll have to allow it out or in. It can also protect your home by allowing you to know when it's been out.
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 other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly and the height of the doorway in your home to ensure the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is a little longer or taller than the normal, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will install the flap. With the markings as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap within the door. After you have cut the area out then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
The installation of a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process may be a bit more difficult when you have to install it onto the door of a uPVC or composite door as these doors come with various thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. We recommend that you call an expert when this is your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hearing your pet's cries for you to let it in or out. This is particularly useful for those who work most of the day and your cat is stuck in the house waiting for you to get home in any weather.
It is crucial to measure your cat first before you attempt the installation. It may seem like a straightforward task, but it's important to get the measurements right. If not, your cat might find it difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. You can take 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 measurement, it's time to examine the door to decide the best place to place the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to walk through the door with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap from making too much noise when it swings back and back.
You should consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While timber doors are all of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall design and this can make the installation of a cat flap more complicated as you will need to ensure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole on the door. This will help you to determine where the opening must be and also make sure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also beneficial to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll need to cut the door's panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This is a difficult job and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitter to complete this task in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions provided in the kit to find out how to do it properly.
To do this, you will need to take a measurement of the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as an indication point. A good rule of thumb is to put 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 can move through the flap comfortably and will also make any other cats or curious neighbours an issue when trying to get in or out.
Once you've decided where the cat flap should be located, mark the position on the door with a pencil. Next, if your kit has an outline of paper, place this over the door and use the marks to drill holes into each corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door if you are confident with a 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 a circle depending on the way you'd like to cut it. Remember to take your time and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the flap onto its new location and make sure that it's securely fixed. If the flap is fitted with screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to go through by placing a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through with your hand or a stick. Once your pet has become used to moving through the flap, it will be in a position to move at will. This lets you let it in and out whenever it wants.
It is possible to fit the flap inside the UPVC doors or glass door, but it may not be as easy as installing 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 affect the way you cut the hole for the flap and could affect the way your flap will fit properly once it's been installed.
The mounting kit could include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can make one yourself. When cutting, it's important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too hard so that you don't make a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which are more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure the hole is located in the right place on the door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able use it, and may be stuck outside the whole day (or night).
Certain models of cat flaps come with locks that allow you to control the time your cat comes and goes. These are useful for pets who are afraid of leaving in the dark or returning inside at night. They are also useful if you work all day. Some locks can be used to lock access 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.