It can be difficult to put up the flap for your cat however, with the proper guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, decide how high you would like the flap to be (on average, belly height). Mark this point on the door, and use the template provided as a reference to drill.
If you have a small kitten hold the door open a bit and gradually push it to pass through. Reward the kitten as it moves through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent method to let your pet move in and out of your home whenever it pleases. This will keep your cat in good health as it will ensure it is getting enough exercise and be able to go back inside if it is trapped in the elements during bad weather. It also can reduce the amount of time you need to spend letting it out or in. It can also ensure your home is secure by letting you be aware of when it went out.
It is crucial that the flap for your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's belly and the size of the doorway in your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is larger or shorter than the normal, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
Then, 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 an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap inside the door. After you've cut the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. However, the process could be a bit more difficult in the event that you have to put it onto the frame of a uPVC or composite door because these doors have a wide range of thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. We recommend to contact a professional when this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful for cats that are in the house during all seasons when you are at work.
It is important to measure your cat first before attempting to install. It might appear to be a simple task, but it is important to get the measurements right. Otherwise, your pet may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm and not feeling anxious prior to taking the measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and also make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body, not bending in any way. You can get 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 have your cat's measurements, it's time to look at the door to determine the best place to place the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making too much 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 a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall structure and this can make the installation of a cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole on the door. This will help you determine where the opening needs to be, and also to ensure that the template is properly placed on the door. It is also a good idea to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template sits in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut an opening in the door panel for your cat flap before you can attach it. This is a difficult job, and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter for this job should you not have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. You can also read the instructions provided in the kit to find out how to do it properly.
You can consider the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good rule of thumb is to put the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and will make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you have determined where the cat flap should be placed, mark this position on the door with pencil. If your kit includes a template, place it over the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you should be able cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install the cat flap yourself inside the door made of wood or uPVC when you're confident using the use of a jigsaw. Be careful not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square, depending on the design of your cat flap. Take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut then carefully insert the flap onto its new location and make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap has screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once cat flap fitting near me have been installed smooth the edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block the entry of draughts into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to use it by putting a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with sticks or your hand. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap it should be able to go in and out as it wants so you can let it out and in without keeping the door open for it all day (and likely in any weather).
You can install the flap onto an UPVC or glass door but it's not exactly the same as fitting one into a wood exterior door due to the fact that UPVC and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole, and whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
The mounting kit could contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not include the template, you can photocopy it to make your own. When cutting, it's crucial to avoid pushing the jigsaw too far enough to create a bigger hole than necessary in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, ensure that the hole is located in the correct place on your door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able use it, and might be locked outside for the entire day (or night).
Certain models of cat flaps come with locks that allow you to control when your cat comes and goes. They can be extremely useful in the event that you are worried about your pet going out at night only to come back in because of the darkness, or if you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be engaged to allow entry or exit, and some can be locked in either direction permitting you to close the door completely, which is particularly beneficial for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen on going out in the rain.