It can be difficult to install the flap for your cat but with the right 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 your door, and use the included template to guide you when drilling.

If you have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door open very slightly and gradually allow it to enter. Reward it each time it goes through.

Take fitting a cat flap measurement of the door

A cat flap is a wonderful method to allow your pet to leave and come inside and out of your home whenever it pleases. This can help keep your cat healthy since it ensures that it is exercising regularly and also be able to return inside if it is stranded outside during bad weather. It also can reduce the amount of time you'll have to let it out or in and will also help ensure your home is secure by allowing you to know when it's been out.

However, it is essential that the flap on your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the width of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is 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 be installing the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guide, take an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap in the door. Once you have cut out the area, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes needed.

Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. However, the process may be fitting a cat flap in a upvc door bit more difficult if you need to fit it onto a uPVC or composite door since these doors come in an array of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and cat flap fitting what they are fixed into. This is why we always recommend calling an expert to do the work, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.

Measure Your Cat

A cat flap can save you from hours of listening to your pet meow for you to let it in or out. This is particularly useful for those who work most of the day and your cat has to stay in the house waiting for you to get home in any weather.

It is important to measure your cat first before you begin the installation. It might appear to be a simple task, but it's crucial to get the measurements right. If not, your cat might find it difficult to use.

First, ensure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a position where they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the tip of theire height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. As a general rule, place the cat flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the cat's belly. This way, your cat will be able to move through the flap comfortably and it will also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping an issue when trying to leave or enter.

Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using pencil. If your kit comes with a paper template, lay it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.

You can install the cat flap yourself on an uPVC or wood door if you are confident with the jigsaw. Be sure to not cut through any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or a circle according to the design of your cat flap. Take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.

After the hole has been cut then carefully insert the flap of cat food into its new home and ensure that it is securely secured. If the flap has screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent draughts from entering your home.

Install the Flap

If you have a basic cat flap you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap, it will be able to come and go whenever it wants. This lets you let it in and out as it's wanted.

You can fit an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting a cat flap in a upvc door one into a wood external door since the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can have a dramatic effect on how you cut the hole for the flap and will also affect whether the flap will fit properly once it's installed.

The mounting kit could include a template showing you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to make one on your own. It is important not to use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so it doesn't leave a bigger than needed hole in your door.

Some cat flaps come in circular designs, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a round flap, make sure that the hole is located in the right place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to use it, and could be outside all day (or at night).

Some models of cat flap have locks which permit you to manage the time your cat comes and goes. They are helpful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark or returning to the house at night. They can also be helpful when you are working all day. The lock can be turned on to allow or deny entry, and some can be locked in both directions, allowing you to shut the door completely, which is especially beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't keen on going out in the rain.