Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting, but it is fairly easy to do by following the correct instructions. First, decide how high you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on the door and then use the template as a guide to drill.

If you have a kitten, or a young kitten hold the door open very slightly and gradually allow it to enter. Reward the kitten as it moves through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap install flap is a great method to allow your pet to come and go in and out of your home whenever it likes. This can help keep your cat healthy since it will ensure that it is exercising regularly and be able to go back inside if it is trapped in the elements during bad weather. It can also cut down on the amount of time you have to let it out or in. It will also help protect your home by letting you know when it's been out.

It is crucial to make sure that the cat flap is placed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the size of the doorway in your home to ensure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is taller or shorter than 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 center of the door where you will install the flap. Using the marking as a guide, take an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap inside the door. Once you have cut out the door, 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 think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to finish the entire job from start to finish. However, the process can be a little more complicated if you need to fit it inside the frame of a upvc door panel with cat flap or composite door since these doors have various thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and what they are fixed to. This is why we always recommend calling an expert to do the work, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

A cat flap will save you from listening to your pet's meow for you to let it out or in. This is particularly useful if you are at working all day and your cat has to stay in the house waiting for you to get home in all weathers.

It is crucial to first measure your cat before attempting to install. Although it might appear to be an easy task, it is essential to measure the right way or your cat will find it difficult to use.

Firstly, make sure your cat is relaxed and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the base of their tail will enable you to determine an accurate measurement.

Once you've got your cat's measurements, it's time to look at the door to decide where to put the flap. It is advisable to position the flap in the middle of your cat's belly because it will allow them to pass through it with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot noise when it swings back and back.

You will need to take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall construction and this can make the installation of the cat flap more difficult since you have to ensure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.

It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions that come with the kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole must be located and ensure that the template is positioned properly on the door. Using a spirit-level to ensure that the template is flush against the door will also prove beneficial.

Cut the Flap

You'll need to make a hole in the door to accommodate your cat flap prior to you can install it. It can be a difficult job, so it's recommended that you get a professional assist you if you don't have the skills or experience. You can also consult the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do it right.

To do this you need to measure the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as an indicator point. As a general rule, place the cat flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the belly for cats. Your cat will be able to go through the flap without difficulty and will also make any other cats or curious neighbours an issue when trying to leave or enter.

Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. If your kit comes with an outline, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you should be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.

You can install the cat flap yourself in an uPVC or wood door when you're confident with a jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle depending on the way you'd like to cut it. Make sure to take your time and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.

Once the hole is made and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the cat flap into its new home and make sure that it is firmly secured. If it features caps for screws, then put these onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut then seal any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming into your home.

Fit 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 flap installer near me food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap, it is likely to be able into and out as it pleases and you should be able to let it out and in without having to be there keeping the door open to allow it in all day (and potentially in all weathers).

It is possible to install a cat flap in a UPVC door or a glass door, however it's not as simple as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This can have a major impact on how you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap fits correctly after installation.

The mounting kit could include a template showing you the best places to drill holes. If the kit does not include an example you can copy it to create your own. It's important to not use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so that it doesn't leave a bigger than necessary hole in your door.

Certain cat flap in bifold doors flaps come in circular designs, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, make sure the hole is in the right place on your door. If not, your cat may not be able to access it, and might be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).

Some cat flaps have locks which permit you to regulate the time your cat comes and goes. They are helpful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark or returning inside at night. They are also useful for those who work all day. The lock can be engaged for entry or exit and some locks can be locked in either direction allowing you to shut the door completely, which is particularly beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who don't want to go out in the rain.