Fitting a Cat Flap
Installing a cat flap might be a bit daunting, but it is fairly simple by following the correct instructions. Firstly, determine how high you would like the flap to be (on average the belly height). Note this on your door, and use the included template as a guide when drilling. If you have a kitten, or a young kitten hold the door open a bit and gradually push it to pass through. Reward the kitten each time it moves through. Take a measurement of the door A cat flap is a wonderful option to let your pet move in and out of your home whenever it likes. This will keep your cat healthy since it will ensure it is exercising regularly and will also allow it to go back inside if it gets 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 and will also help keep your home safe by allowing you to know when it has gone out. However, it is important that the flap for your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through 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 at your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the normal, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it up or down by a tiny amount. The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door where you will be installing the flap. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap in the door. Once you have cut out the door, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes that are required. The installation of a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process may be a little more complicated in the event that you have to put it into the door of a uPVC or composite door because these doors come in a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. This is why we recommend calling a professional to carry out the task, especially when you've never dealt with glass before. Measure Your Cat You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful when your cat is in the house during all seasons when you are at work. If you're planning to put a cat flap in your door it is important to measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is crucial to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will be unable to use. First, make sure your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a way that they cannot move and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not arching in any places. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the base of their tail will allow you to make an accurate measurement. Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where to put the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door without much effort. This will also stop the flap making a lot of noise as it opens and closes. It is also important to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. Although cat flap fitting near me are of the same 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 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 position of the opening on the door. This will help you determine where the opening needs to be and also make sure the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit level to make sure that the template is flush against the door will be extremely helpful. Cut the Flap Before you can install your cat flap, you'll need to cut the door's panel to make it large enough to accommodate it. This can be a daunting task and it is recommended that you get a professional assist you if you don't have the knowledge or skills. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to learn how to do it correctly. To do this, you have to measure the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as an indicator point. A good rule of thumb is to place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap easily and make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to enter or exit. The position of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. If your kit comes with the template, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at each corner. You will then be able to cut out the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap. You can put in your cat flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door if you are confident with the use of a Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle, depending on how you'd like to cut it. Be patient and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster. Once the hole is cut then carefully insert the flap of cat food into its new home and ensure that it is securely secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then seal any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts entering into your home. Install the Flap If you have a simple cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to use it by putting 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 in and out as it wants, so you can let it out or in without having to be there holding the door open for it throughout the day (and possibly in all weather conditions). It is possible to fit a cat flap in the UPVC doors or glass door, however it might not be as easy as installing one in a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that UPVC doors and some types of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut the flap hole and also how well the flap fits after installation. Based on the type of cat flap you select, it may come with its own mounting kit and template that will tell you exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with a template you can copy it to make 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. Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the proper location on your door as in the event that it's not, the cat can't use it and could be left in the open all day (or even night). Some models of cat flap have locks that let you control when your cat comes in and goes. This is useful for pets who are afraid of going out in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They can also be useful when you are working all day. Some locks can be used for either entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is useful for older cats or sick cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.