Fitting a Cat Flap
It may seem difficult to set up the flap for your cat 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 the belly height). Note this on the door and use the template included as a reference to drill. If you have a young kitten hold the door slightly open and gradually push it to pass through. Reward the kitten as it moves through. Measure the Door A cat flap lets your pet to go in and out of your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it gets exercise as well as being able to go back in if trapped outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. This can reduce the time you allow your cat out or in and also make your home safer by letting you know when it has left. It is important to ensure that the cat flap is installed properly to stop your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home so that you can ensure that the flap is at the correct height. You can alter the height of your flap when your cat is taller or less than the average. Then, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap in the door. After you have cut the flap, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes. The installation of a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process is slightly more challenging if you need to install it in a uPVC door or composite one. This is because composite doors come in different thicknesses, which can affect the way the holes are cut. This is the reason we recommend hiring a professional to carry out the job, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before. Measure Your Cat You can save yourself hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is especially useful if your cat is trapped inside in all weathers while you work. It is important to measure your cat first before attempting to install. It may appear to be a simple task, but it is crucial to measure your cat correctly. Otherwise, your pet might find it difficult to use. First, ensure that your cat is calm and not feeling stressed before you take the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. You can get an accurate measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom. Once you have the measurement of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide where to place the flap. A good tip is to position the flap at the height of your cat's stomach as this will allow them to move through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making quite a lot 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. Although timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall structure and this can make the installation of a cat flap more complicated because you must ensure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet. You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole on the door. This will help you determine where the opening needs to be and make sure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Using a spirit level to check that the template is sitting flush against the door can be very helpful. Cut the Flap Before you can put in your cat flap you need to cut the door panel to make it large enough to accommodate it. This can be a tricky job, and it is recommended that you seek the help of an expert cat flap fitter for this job in case you don't have the skills or experience to complete the task yourself. You can also read the instructions provided in the kit to find out how to do it correctly. To do this, you have to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly. Use this as a reference point. A good guideline is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will let your cat pass through the flap with ease and will make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbors to get in or out. Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. If your kit has a template you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. After that, you'll be able to cut out the template and replace it with the flap for cats. If you are installing your cat flap inside a door made from wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle using a Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut through any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle depending on the way you'd like it. Remember to take cat flap installer near me and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster. Once the hole is made, carefully fit the flap onto its new home and ensure that it is firmly fixed. If the flap is fitted with screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home. Fit the Flap If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using a stick or your hand. Once your cat has become comfortable walking through the flap it will be able to come and go at will. This allows you to let it in and out whenever it wants. It is possible to fit a cat flap into an UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a wood exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut the flap hole and also whether the flap fits correctly after installation. The mounting kit could include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include the template, you can photocopy it to make your own. It is important not to press the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't make a larger than needed hole in your door. Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, make sure the hole is located in the correct place on the door. If not, your cat might not be able use it, and could be outside all day (or at night). Certain cat flaps come with locks that allow you to determine when your cat can enter and leave. These can be very useful in the event that you are worried about your cat going out at night only to come back in because of the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be turned on to allow or deny entry, and some locks can be locked in both directions, permitting you to close the door completely. This is especially beneficial for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen on going out in the rain.