It may seem difficult to set up the flap for your cat but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Decide how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's at belly height). Then, mark this area on the door, and use the template as a reference to drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby then gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to walk through. Reward the kitten every time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a wonderful method to allow your pet to leave and come in and out of your home whenever it likes. This will help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is exercising as well as being able to go back inside if stuck outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you need to let it out or in. It can ensure your home is secure by allowing you to know when it's been out.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is placed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine 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 right height. You can adjust the height of your flap when your cat is taller or less than average.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the center of the door where you will be installing the flap. Then, using the marks as a guideline, cut out the form of the flap on the door with the aid of a jigsaw. Once you've cut the area, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes needed.
The process of fitting a cat flap is not as difficult as you may believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire task from start to completion. However, the process can be a bit more difficult when you have to install it onto 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 what they are inserted into. This is the reason we recommend hiring a professional to complete the work, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of listening to your pet's meow for you to let it out or in. This is particularly useful if you are at working all day and your cat is stuck in the waiting room until you come home in any weather.
If you're planning to put a cat flap in your door, it is essential that you take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. cat flap cost may seem like a simple task, but it is crucial to measure your cat correctly. Otherwise, your pet may have difficulty putting it in use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to hold them in a manner that they cannot move and make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any way. 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 accurate measurement.
Once you've got your cat's measurements, it's time to examine the door to decide where to place the flap. It is advisable to place the flap in the middle of your cat's belly as this will allow them to pass through it with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise when it swings back and back.
It is also important to take into consideration the thickness and 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 fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is the right size.
It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions included with the kit to find a template drawing that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the opening needs to be and make sure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Using a spirit-level to ensure that the template is flush against the door can be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you have to cut the door's panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. It's a challenging task and it is recommended that you engage a professional to assist you if you do not have the skills or experience. It is also recommended that you review the directions that come with the cat flap kit to learn how to do this correctly.
To do this, you will need to determine the height of your cat's or kitten's belly. Use this as an indicator point. As a general rule, place the cat flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average height of the belly for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap without difficulty and will make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to get inside or out.
Once you have determined where the cat flap should be positioned, mark this position on the door with the help of a pencil. If your kit includes a template put it on top of the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes in each corner. After that, you'll be able to cut out the template and replace it with the flap for cats.
You can put in your cat flap yourself on an uPVC or wood door if you are confident with the jigsaw. Be sure not to cut into the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle according to the way you'd like to cut it. Make sure to take your time and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure that it is securely secured. If it has caps on the screws, then place them onto the screws that protrude. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can 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 with your hand or a stick. Once your cat has become accustomed to moving through the flap, it will be able to come and go as it pleases. This allows you to let it in and out as it wants.
It is possible to install an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, but it may not be as easy as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is because the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This could have an enormous impact on how you cut the flap's hole, and how well the flap fits after installation.
The mounting kit may include a template showing you the best places to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template you can create one by yourself. When cutting, it is important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too hard so that you don't create a larger hole than is necessary 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 right place on your door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able to use it, and could be locked outside for the entire day (or at night).
Certain models of cat flaps have locks which let you regulate the time your cat comes and goes. They can be extremely useful when you're worried about your pet going out at night and coming back in the darkness, or if you're at work all day. The lock can be engaged to allow or deny entry, and some are locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely, which is especially helpful for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't keen on going out in the rain.