Fitting a Cat Flap
It can be difficult to put up the flap for your cat but with the right instructions, it's not too difficult. Decide how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's located at belly height). Mark this point on the door and use the template provided as a guide to drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to pass through. Reward the kitten as it passes.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a wonderful option to let your pet come and go into and out of your home as it wants. This can help keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it is getting enough exercise and will also allow it to return inside if it is stranded outside in bad weather. It can also cut down on the amount of time you'll have to let it out or in and will also help ensure your home is secure by allowing you to know when it's been out.
It is crucial to make sure that the cat flap is set up properly to stop your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly and the entrance to your home to make sure that the flap is at the correct height. You can alter the height of your flap if your cat is taller or less than average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. With the markings as a reference, use an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap within the door. After cutting the area and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process could be a bit more difficult in the event that you have to put it into a uPVC or composite door because these doors come in various thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. This is the reason we recommend calling an expert to do the task, especially when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of listening to the pet meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly useful if you are at work all day and your cat is in the waiting room until you come home in any weather.
It is important to measure your cat first before attempting to install. Although it might appear to be a simple operation it is essential to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will be unable to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a way that they are not able to move, and ensure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any way. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail can allow you to get an exact measurement.
Once you've determined your cat's measurements and measurements, you need to examine the door to determine where to put the flap. A good tip is to position the flap at the height of your cat's belly because this will allow them to move through it with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap making a lot of noise as it opens and closes.
You will also need to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are all of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall construction, which can make fitting a cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole on the door. This will help you to see where the opening needs to be and also make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. It is also helpful to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut an opening in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can attach it. It can be a difficult job so it's recommended you get a professional assist you if you don't have the skills or experience. It is also recommended that you consult the instructions that come with the kit to find out how to do this correctly.
To do this you need to determine the height of your cat's or kitten's belly. Use this as an indication point. In general, place the cat flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the standard height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap without difficulty and make it more difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to get inside or out.
Once you have determined the location where the cat flap needs to be placed, mark this position on the door with pencil. If your kit has an outline you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. Then, you should be able to cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.

If you are installing your cat flap inside a door made from wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if are confident enough to use the jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut into the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle, depending on how you want it. Make sure to take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully place the cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure it is solidly secured. If it has caps for screws, then put these caps onto the protruding screws. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will block the entry of draughts into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap, it should be able to go into and out as it wants so you can let it in or out without having to be there holding the door open for it all day (and possibly in any weather).
It is possible to put the flap inside the UPVC doors or glass door, but it's not as simple as installing one in a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This could affect how you cut the hole for the flap and could affect the way your flap is fitted correctly after it has been installed.
The mounting kit might include a template that shows you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can create one on your own. It is important not to press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't leave a bigger than needed hole in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap it's important to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door because in the event that it's not, the cat will not be able to use the flap and could be stranded out in the sun all day (or even at night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that let you determine when your cat enters and leaves. They are helpful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark, or coming back in the dark. cat flap insulation can also be useful for those who work all day. Certain locks can be used for either entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for older cats or sick cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.