Fitting a cat flap can seem intimidating but it's simple to install with the right instructions. Decide how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Note this on the door and use the template provided as a reference to drill.

If you have a kitten who is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to walk through. Reward the kitten each time it moves 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 with keeping your cat healthy by ensuring that it is exercising as well as being able to go back in if stuck outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. This will cut down on 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 make sure that the cat flap is installed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly and the size of the doorway at your home to make sure 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 up or down a small amount.

The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the centre of the door where you will install the flap. With the markings as a guideline, you can use an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap within the door. Once you have cut out the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes that are required.

Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. 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 have a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. We recommend that you call a professional for your first experience working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet meow to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful for those who work all day and your cat is in the house waiting for you to get home in any weather.

It is important to first measure your cat before you begin the installation. Although it might seem like an easy task, it is important to measure the right way or your cat may find it very difficult to use.

First, ensure that your cat is calm and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep them in a position where they cannot move and make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body, not bending in any way. You can get a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.

Once you've got your cat's measurements, it's time to look at the door to decide the best place to place the flap. The best option is to place the flap at the height of your cat's belly as this will allow them to move through it with minimal effort. This will also avoid the flap making lots of noise when it swings open and shut.

You must consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While all timber doors have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall structure. This could make the process of the installation of a flap for your cat more difficult since you have to make sure that the hole is the proper size.

It is also worth looking through the instructions that come with the kit to find an outline of the template that can be used to determine the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the opening must be and also ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. Using a spirit-level to check that the template is sitting right against the door will also be very helpful.

Cut the Flap

You'll need to cut an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap before you can attach it. This is a difficult job and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitter to complete this task if you don't have the knowledge or skills to complete the task yourself. It is also recommended that you consult the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to find out how to do this correctly.

You can consider 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 move through the flap with ease and make it more difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to enter or exit.

Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with the pencil. If your kit includes an outline you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. After that, you'll be able to cut the template and replace it with the cat flap.

If you are installing your cat flap inside a door made from wood or uPVC, you can do this yourself if you are confident enough to use using a jigsaw. Be sure to not 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 according to the way you want it. Remember to take your time and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.

Once cat flap fitters is made, carefully place the cat flap into its new home. Make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap has screws put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed smooth the edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent drafts from entering your home.

Fit the Flap

If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by putting a little bit of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hands or a stick. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap it will be capable of walking through the flap as it pleases. This will allow you to let it in and out whenever it wishes.

You can fit an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door however it's not as simple as fitting it into a wooden external door because UPVC and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This can have a major impact on how you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap fits correctly after installation.

The mounting kit may include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit does not include an example you can copy it to make your own. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw far enough to make a larger hole than necessary in your door.

Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are some that are circular, and they are generally more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure the hole is in the right place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able to use it, and may be locked outside for the entire day (or night).

Some models of cat flap come with locks that permit you to control when your cat comes and goes. They are helpful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark or returning to the house at night. They are also useful for those who work all day. The lock can be engaged for entry or exit and some can be locked in either direction which allows you to close the door completely. This is especially beneficial for sick or elderly cats who aren't willing to go out in the rain.
cat flap fitters