It can be difficult to put up a cat flap however, with the proper instructions it's not that hard. Firstly, determine how high you want the cat flap to be (on average the belly height). Note this on your door, and use the template included as a guide when drilling.
If you have a small kitten hold the door open a bit and gradually encourage it to go through. Reward the kitten each time it moves through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at its convenience. This will keep your cat healthy since it ensures that it is getting enough exercise and will also allow it to go back inside if it is stranded in the elements during bad weather. It can also cut down on the amount of time you need to allow it out or in. It can also protect your home by allowing you to know when it's been out.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is placed correctly to stop your pet from being pushed through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the height of the doorway in your home to make sure the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the height of your flap when your cat is smaller or taller than the average.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door that you will put the flap. Then, using the markings as a guideline, cut out the shape of the flap on the door with the aid of a jigsaw. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill cat flap installers repairmywindowsanddoors fixing holes that are required.
The installation of a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process can be slightly more complicated if you are required to install it in a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because these doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which could affect the way holes are cut. We always suggest that you call an expert when this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful if your cat is trapped in the house during all seasons when you are at work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap in your door it is important that you measure your cat before attempting the task. It might seem like a simple task, but it's important to get the measurements right. Otherwise, your pet may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a manner that they cannot move and also make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any place. Keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the bottom of their tail will enable you to determine an accurate measurement.
Once you have the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide on where you want to place the flap. A good tip is to place 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 prevent the flap making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and shut.
You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This could make the process of the installation of an enclosure for your cat more difficult since you must ensure that the hole is the proper size.
It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to find an illustration template that can be used to mark the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you determine where the opening must be and make sure the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also helpful to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is placed in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can attach it. This can be a daunting job so it's recommended you engage a professional to assist you if you do not have the skills or experience. You can also refer to the instructions that come with the kit to discover how to do it right.
To do this, you have to take a measurement of the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as an indicator point. As a general rule, place the cat flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average height of the cat's belly. This way your cat will be able to move through the flap comfortably and also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping a tough time trying to enter or leave.
The position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit comes with the template you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. After that, you'll be able to cut the template and replace it with the flap for cats.
If you are installing your cat flap inside a door made from wood or uPVC, it is possible to do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle the jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. 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 to cut faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully place the cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure that it is securely secured. If it has screw caps, then push these caps onto the protruding screws. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will block drafts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternately, you can push 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 wants and you should be able to let it out and in without keeping the door open for it throughout the day (and potentially in any weather).
It is possible to put an animal flap into a UPVC door or a glass door, however it might not be as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is because the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This can have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the hole for the flap, and could affect the way your flap fits correctly once it's been installed.
The mounting kit might include a template that shows you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with the template you can use a photocopier to make your own. It's important not to push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't leave a bigger than needed hole in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the correct 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 models of cat flaps have locks that allow you to control when your cat comes in and goes. They are helpful for pets who are afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They are also useful for those who work all day. The lock can be used to allow or deny entry, and some are locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely, which is especially helpful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go out in rainy weather.