It might seem daunting to put up a cat flap however, with the proper instructions it's not that hard. Find out how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally it's located at belly height). Note this on your door and use the template included as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and encourage it to walk through. Reward the kitten every time it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is an excellent option to let your pet come and go into and out of your home as it pleases. This will help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is exercising and also being able to come back inside if left outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. This can reduce the time you spend letting your cat in or out and make your home safer by letting you know when it's left.
It is crucial that the flap on 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). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway of your house so that you can make sure that the flap is at the right height. You can alter the height of your flap if your cat is taller or smaller than the average.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door that you will install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guide, take a jigsaw and cut out the form of the flap inside the door. After you've cut the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
The process of installing the cat flap isn't as difficult as you may believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to finish the entire process from beginning to finish. However, the process can be slightly more complicated in the event that you have to put it inside the door of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come with a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed to. This is why we always recommend hiring a professional to complete the job, particularly in the event that you've never worked 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 helpful if you are at work all day and your cat is stuck inside waiting until you get home in any weather.
It is crucial to measure your cat's measurements first before you attempt the installation. It might seem like a simple task, but it's essential to get the measurements right. If not, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, ensure that repairmywindowsanddoors is calm and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a place where they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the tip of their tail will allow you to get an exact measurement.
Once you've determined your cat's measurements, it's time to look at the door to decide where to place the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap from making lots of noise when it swings open and shut.
You will also need to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall design. This can make the installation of a flap for your cat more difficult since you must ensure that the hole is the right size.
It is also worth studying the instructions that come with the kit to find an illustration template that can be used to determine the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you to see the location where the opening should be, and also to ensure that the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is right against the door can prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut a hole in the door panel for your cat flap before you can attach it. It's a challenging job and it is recommended that you get a professional help you if you lack the knowledge or skills. It is also recommended that you read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to learn how to do this correctly.
You can use the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. In general put the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average 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 and nosy neighbours to get inside or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door using pencil. If your kit comes with a template, place it over the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. Then, you'll be able to cut out the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.
You can install your cat flap yourself on a wood or uPVC door If you're comfortable with a Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square according to the design of your cat flap. Make sure to take your time and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole has been made, carefully place the cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure it is solidly secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to go through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through using your hand or a stick. Once your pet has become accustomed to walking through the flap it will be capable of walking through the flap as it pleases. This lets you let it in and out at any time it wants.
It is possible to fit the flap onto an UPVC or glass door although this may not be exactly the same as fitting one into a wood external door because the UPVC and glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could have a significant impact on how you cut the flap hole and also how well the flap fits after installation.
The mounting kit could include a template that shows you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include an example you can copy it to create your own. When cutting, it's important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too far enough to create a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are some that are circular and these are generally more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the correct location on your door as in the event that it's not, the cat will not be able to use the flap and may be stuck out in the sun all day (or even night).
Some models of cat flap have locks which allow you to regulate 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 and coming back in the darkness, or if you're working all day. The lock can be turned on to allow entry or exit, and some are locked in both directions, which allows you to close the door completely. This is particularly beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't willing to go out in the rain.