Fitting a Cat Flap
Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting, but it is fairly simple with the proper instructions. Firstly, determine how high you want the cat flap to be (on average, belly height). Note this on the door and then use the template included as a reference to drill. If you have a kitten who is still a newborn and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and invite it to go through. Reward the kitten as it moves through. Take More methods of the door A cat flap is an excellent method to allow your pet to come and go into and out of your house as it likes. This can help keep your cat healthy as it will ensure it is exercising regularly and also be able to return inside if it gets trapped outside in bad weather. This will cut down on the time you spend letting your cat in or out, and keep your home safe by letting you know when it has left. It is important to ensure that the cat flap is placed properly to stop your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure the height of your pet's belly and the doorway of your house so that you can make sure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is taller or shorter than average, you can alter the flap's position by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount. The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door where you will install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a reference, use an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap inside the door. After cutting the area then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes. The process of installing the cat flap isn't as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours to finish the entire process from beginning to finish. The process is a bit more difficult if you have to install it in the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which could affect the way that holes are cut. This is the reason we recommend calling a professional to complete the job, particularly if you have never worked with glass before. Measure Your Cat You can save yourself hours of ignoring the pet meow to be let in or out. This is especially helpful if your cat is trapped inside in all weathers when you are at work. It is important to measure your cat's measurements first before you begin the installation. It might seem like a simple task, but it is essential to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat might find it difficult to use. Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not anxious 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 get 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 got the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to look at the door and decide where to put the flap. through wall cat flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making too much noise as it moves back and forward. You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall structure and can make fitting a cat flap more difficult as you will need to ensure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet. It is also worthwhile reading through the directions included with the kit to locate an illustration template that can be used to determine the position of the hole in the door. This will help you to see where the opening needs to be and also make sure the template is properly placed on the door. It is also helpful to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed flush against the door. Cut the Flap Before you can install your cat flap you must cut the door panel in order to make it large enough to accommodate it. This can be a tricky job, and it is recommended to get help from an expert cat flap fitter to complete this task should you not have the skills or experience to do it yourself. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to discover how to do this properly. You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. As a rule of thumb, place the cat flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the belly for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap easily and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to enter or exit. Once you have determined where the cat flap should be positioned, mark this position on the door with a pencil. Then, if your kit includes an outline of paper, place it over the door and use the marks to drill holes into each corner of the template. You will then be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap. You can install the cat flap yourself on the door made of wood or uPVC when you're confident with the jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a circle or square, depending on the design of your cat flap. Take your time and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster. Once the hole is cut, carefully fit the cat flap into its new location and make sure that it's securely secured. If the flap has screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed smooth the edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop the entry of draughts into your home. Fit the Flap If you have a basic cat flap you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by putting a little bit of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hand or a stick. Once your cat is comfortable moving through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap at will. This lets you let it in and out at any time it's wanted. It is possible to install the flap inside the UPVC doors or glass door, however it might not be as simple as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This can have a major impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole, and whether the flap will fit correctly after installation. Depending on the model of cat flap you select It could be equipped with a mounting kit and template that will show precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can make one on your own. When cutting, it's crucial to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too far enough to make a larger hole than you need in your door. Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is in the correct place on the door. If not, your cat may not be able to access it, and may be locked outside for the entire day (or night). Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to determine when your cat can enter and leave. They can be extremely useful if you're concerned about your cat going out at night and then coming back in the darkness, or if you're at work all day. Certain locks can be used for either entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is useful for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.