Fitting a Cat Flap
It might seem daunting to put up the flap for your cat, but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Find out how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's located at belly height). Mark this point on your door, and use the template provided to help you drill. If you have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually allow it to go through. Reward it as it passes through. Measure the Door A cat flap is an excellent method to let your pet come and go into and out of your home as it pleases. This will keep your cat in good health as it will ensure that it is getting enough exercise and will also allow it to go back inside when it is trapped outside during bad weather. It also can reduce the amount of time you need to let it out or in. It will also help keep your home safe by allowing you to know when it has gone out. It is crucial that the cat flap is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home to ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the average, you can alter the flap's height by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount. Then, 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 the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap within the door. After you've cut the area, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes. The process of fitting a cat flap isn't as complicated as you believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire process from beginning to the end. The process can be slightly more complicated if you are required to put it in the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because these doors come in various thicknesses, which can impact the way the holes are cut. This is why we always recommend calling a professional to carry out the work, 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 cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful if your cat is trapped inside during the winter months while you work. If you want to fit a cat flap on your door, it is essential to measure your cat before attempting the task. While it may seem a simple operation it is crucial to measure the right way or your cat will find it very difficult to use. First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against the body. Holding the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the tip of their tail can allow you to determine an accurate measurement. Once you've got your cat's measurements and measurements, you need to examine the door to decide the best place to place the flap. A good tip is to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's stomach as this will help them to move through it without much effort. cat flap fitters near me will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise as it moves back and forward. It is also important to think about the thickness and the 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 design. This could make the process of fitting the flap for your cat more difficult as you must ensure that the hole is the right size. You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you determine the location where the opening should be, and also to make sure that the template is placed correctly on the door. It is also a good idea to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed 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 daunting job, so it's recommended that you hire a professional to help you if you lack the knowledge or skills. You can also consult the instructions provided with the kit to discover how to do it right. You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good guideline is to put the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters off the ground, as this is approximately the average belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap easily and make it more difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to get inside or out. Once you've determined where the cat flap should be located, mark the location on the door using the help of a pencil. If your kit has a template put it on top of the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. You should then be able 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 using the use of a jigsaw. Be sure not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square, depending on the design of your cat flap. Take your time and don't try to try to force the jigsaw to cut faster. Once the hole is made, carefully fit the flap of cat food into its new home and make sure that it is securely fixed. If it features caps on the screws, then place these onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut and then seal any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into your home. Install the Flap If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by putting a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through using your hand or a stick. Once your cat is used to moving through the flap, it is likely to be able in and out as it wants, so you can let it out and in without to open the door for it all day (and possibly in any weather). It is possible to install a cat flap in an UPVC door or glass door, however it might not be as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is because the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This could affect how you cut the opening for the flap and will also affect whether the flap will fit properly once it's installed. Depending on the type of cat flap you choose It could include a mounting kit and a template that shows precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not come with a template, you can create one yourself. It's important to not use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so that it doesn't make a larger than needed hole in your door. Certain cat flaps come in circular designs, which are more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is located in the correct spot on the door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able to use it, and could be stuck outside the whole day (or night). Certain models of cat flaps have locks that allow you to manage when your cat comes in and goes. These are very helpful if you're worried about your pet going out at night and then coming back in because of the darkness, or if you're working all day. Some locks can be used to lock entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is useful for older cats or sick cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.