Fitting a Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may be a bit daunting but it's easy to do with the right instructions. First, decide how high you would like the flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on the door and use the template provided as a reference to drill.

If you have a young kitten, prop the door open very slightly and gradually encourage it to go through. Reward it as it passes through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap is a wonderful option to allow your pet to leave and come inside and out of your home whenever it wants. This can help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to go back in if it is left outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. It can also cut down on the amount of time you'll have to spend letting it out or in. It can protect your home by letting you be aware of when it went out.

However, it is essential that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly and the doorway to your home in order to make sure that the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the position of your flap in case your cat is taller or smaller than the average.

The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door, where you will be installing the flap. Utilizing the marking as a reference, use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap within the door. After cutting the area, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.

The process of fitting a cat flap isn't as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours to complete the entire process from beginning to the end. The process can be slightly more complicated if you are required to install it on the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because these doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which can affect the way holes are cut. We always recommend to consult with a professional when this is your first experience working with glass.

Measure Your cat flap installers near me

A cat flap will save you from hearing your pet's cries to let it in or out. This is particularly helpful for cats that are inside during the winter months when you are at work.

It is essential to measure your cat first before attempting to install. Although it might seem like a simple operation it is crucial to make sure you measure correctly or your cat may find it very difficult to use.

First of all, make sure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position that they are unable to move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. 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 figured out the measurements of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide on where you want to place the flap. It is advisable to position the flap in the middle of your cat's belly because this will help them to get through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise as it moves back and forth.

You will also need to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall design. This can make the process of putting in a flap for your cat more difficult since you have to make sure that the hole is of the correct size.

You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole should be placed and ensure that the template is positioned correctly on the door. It is also a good idea to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed in a straight line against the door.

Cut the Flap

Before you can install your cat flap you 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 get help from a professional cat flap fitting service for this job if you don't have the expertise or knowledge to complete the task yourself. It is also recommended that you read the instructions included with the kit to find out how to do this correctly.

You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. A good rule of thumb is to put the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters off the ground, as this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This way your cat can move through the flap comfortably and it will also give any other cats or curious neighbours a tough time trying to get in or out.

Once you've decided where the cat flap should be placed, mark this location on the door using pencil. If your kit has the template you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. You should then be able cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.

You can install your cat flap yourself in a wood or uPVC door if you are confident using the jigsaw. Be sure to not cut through any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or a circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient, and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.

After the hole has been cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap of cat food into its new location and make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap has 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 around any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into your home.

Place the Flap

If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat flap cost food in the front of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through with 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 wants, so you can let it out or in without holding the door open for it all day (and likely in all weathers).

It is possible to fit the flap onto a UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a timber external door because UPVC and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This can affect how you cut the hole for the flap and could affect the way your flap will fit properly once it's installed.

Depending on the type of cat flap you select It may include a mounting kit and template that will show you exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with an example you can use a photocopier to create your own. When cutting, it's crucial to not push the jigsaw to the point that you make a larger hole than you need in your door.

The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, however there are also some which are circular, and they are typically more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the right position on your door because if it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and could be stranded outside all day (or even night).

Certain cat flap installation cost flaps have locks that allow you to control the time your cat flap fitting near me is allowed to enter and leave. They can be extremely useful if you're worried about your pet going out at night and coming back in because of the darkness, or if you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be turned on to allow or deny entry, and some can be locked in either direction permitting you to close the door completely, which is especially beneficial for older or ill cats who don't want to go out in the rain.