Fitting a Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to set up the flap for your cat, but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, decide how high you want the cat flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the template included to help you drill. If you have a kitten that is still a newborn then gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to walk through. Reward it as it passes through. Take a measurement of the door A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it gets exercise and also being able to get back inside if left outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. It can also reduce the amount of time you have to let it out or in. It can ensure your home is secure by letting you be aware of when it went out. It is crucial to make sure that the cat flap is placed properly to stop your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the width of the doorway in your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the position of your flap when your cat is taller or smaller than average. Next, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the mark as a guideline, cut out the shape of the flap on the door with the aid of a Jigsaw. After cutting the flap and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes. Fitting a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process can be a bit more difficult if you need to fit it onto a uPVC or composite door as these doors come with a wide range of thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and what they are inserted into. We always recommend that you call a professional for your first experience with glass. Measure Your Cat You will not have to spend hours of listening to the pet meow to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful for cats that are inside during the winter months when you are at work. It is crucial to first measure your cat before you begin the installation. Although it might seem like to be a simple task, it is essential to get the measurement right or your pet will be unable to use. First of all, make sure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You will have to hold 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. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the tip of their tail can allow you to get an precise measurement. Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide on where to put the flap. Position 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 from making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and closed. You should think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. Although timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall construction and can make fitting a cat flap more difficult as you will need to make sure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet. It is also worth studying the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to mark out the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you to determine where the opening must be, and also to make sure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also a good idea to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template sits flush against the door. Cut the Flap You will need to cut an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap prior to you can put it in place. This can be a challenging task and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitter for this step should you not have the knowledge or skills to tackle it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions provided in the kit to find out how to do it right. You can take the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. In general, place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the stomach for cats. This way, your cat can move through the flap comfortably and will also make other cats or snooping neighbours difficult time trying to enter or leave. Once you've decided the location where the cat flap needs to be placed, mark this position on the door with pencil. Then, if your kit has an outline of paper, place it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes into each corner of the template. You should then be able to cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap. You can install your cat flap yourself on a wood or uPVC door If you're comfortable with the use of a Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut into the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or a circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient, and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster. Once the hole is cut, carefully fit the cat flap into its new home and ensure that it is securely fixed. If it features caps on the screws, then place these onto the protruding screws. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home. Fit the Flap If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is used to moving through the flap, it will be able to move into and out as it wishes so you can let it in or out without to open the door for it throughout the day (and possibly in all weathers). It is possible to install a cat flap in 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 don't have a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on how you cut the opening for the flap and could affect the way your flap fits correctly once it's been put in place. The mounting kit might include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with an example, you can photocopy it to make your own. visit site to not push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so that it doesn't make a larger than needed hole in your door. Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are also some which are circular and these are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, make sure the hole is located in the correct spot on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able to use it, and may be stuck outside the whole day (or at night). Certain models of cat flaps come with locks that allow you to regulate when your cat comes in and goes. These are useful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They can also be helpful 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 beneficial for sick or older cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.