It can be difficult to set up a cat flap but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Decide how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's at the belly height). Note this on your door, and use the template provided as a guide when drilling.
If you have a small kitten hold the door open very slightly and gradually push it to pass through. Reward the kitten as it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This will help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise and also being able to come back inside if trapped outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. This will reduce the amount of time you have to let your cat in or out and also make your home safe by letting you know when it has left.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being pushed through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure the height of your pet's belly and the entrance to your home so that you can make sure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is taller or shorter than average, you can alter the flap's height by moving it up or down a small amount.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Using the marking as a guide, take an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap within the door. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are needed.
The process of installing a cat flap is not as difficult as you believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to finish the entire task from start to the end. However, the process can be a bit more difficult in the event that you have to put it onto the door of a uPVC or composite door since these doors have various thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. We always recommend that you call an expert for your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of hearing your pet's cries for you to let it in or out. This is especially helpful for those who working all day and your cat is stuck in the house waiting for you to get home in any weather.
It is important to measure your cat's measurements first before you attempt the installation. Although it might appear to be an easy task, it is essential to get the measurement right or your cat may find it difficult to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not feeling anxious prior to taking the measurements. You will need to hold them in a manner that they cannot move and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not bending in any way. 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 figured out the measurements of your cat, it's time to look at the door and decide where to place the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to walk through the door with minimal effort. This will also avoid the flap from making a lot of noise as it swings open and closed.
You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This could make the process of the process of putting in a flap for your cat more difficult as you have to make sure that the hole is of the correct size.
It is also worthwhile reading through the directions included with the kit to locate an illustration template that can be used to determine the location of the hole inside the door. This will help you determine where the hole must be located and ensure that the template is positioned precisely on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting in a straight line 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 install it. It's a challenging task, so it's recommended that you get a professional help you if you lack the expertise or experience. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to learn how to do this properly.
To do this, you have to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use that as an indicator point. A good guideline is to put the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is the typical belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap with ease and make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. If your kit comes with a template put it on top of the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at each corner. You should 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 on an uPVC or wood door If you're comfortable using the use of a jigsaw. Be careful not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square depending on the way you'd like it. Be patient, and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut then seal any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming into your home.
Fit 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 front of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap, it should be able to go into and out as it wants so you can let it out or in without having to be there holding the door open to allow it in all day (and possibly in all weather conditions).
It is possible to install the flap inside a UPVC door or a glass door, but it may not be as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior 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 can have a major impact on the way you cut the flap's hole, and how well the flap fits after installation.
Based on the type of cat flap you pick It could come with its own mounting kit and a template that shows exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with an example you can use a photocopier to create your own. It is important not to use the jigsaw to in order to cut, so it doesn't make a larger than needed hole in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular designs, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, make sure the hole is in the correct place on your door. Otherwise, the cat may not be able to use it, and might be outside all day (or at night).
Some models of cat flap come with locks that allow you to regulate the time your cat comes and goes. cat flap installers near me are useful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark, or coming back in the dark. They can also be useful for those who work all day. The lock can be used for entry or exit and some locks can be locked in both directions, permitting you to close the door completely, which is especially beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't keen on going out in bad weather.