Notes

Fitting a Cat Flap
It can be difficult to install the flap for your cat but with the right instructions, it's not too difficult. First, determine the height you would like the flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on your door, and use the template included to help you drill.

If you have a kitten that is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to pass through. Reward it when it goes through.

Measure the Door

A cat flap is an excellent option to let your pet come and go in and out of your home whenever it pleases. This can help with keeping your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise and also being able to get back inside if stuck outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. It can also cut down on the amount of time you need to allow it out or in and can protect your home by allowing you to be aware of when it went out.


It is crucial that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly and the doorway of your house so that you can make sure that the flap is at the right height. If doors with cat flap is a little taller or shorter than average, you can alter the flap's position by moving it up or down a small amount.

Next, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a reference, use an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap within the door. Once you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes needed.

The process of fitting a cat flap is not as complicated as you believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire process from beginning to finish. The process is a bit more difficult if you have to install it on a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors come in different thicknesses, which could affect the way holes are cut. We always recommend to contact an expert for your first time working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

A cat flap will save you from hours of listening to your pet meow to let it in or out. This is particularly helpful if you are at work most of the day and your cat is stuck in the waiting room until you come home regardless of the weather.

It is essential to measure your cat's measurements first before you begin the installation. It may appear to be a simple task, but it is crucial to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.

First, ensure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a way that they cannot move and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not arching in any places. 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've determined your cat's measurements, it's time to look at the door to decide where to put the flap. The best option is to place the flap on the highest point 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 a lot of noise as it swings back and forth.

It is also important to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This can make the installation of the flap for your cat more difficult since you need to ensure the hole is of the correct size.

It is also worth studying the instructions included with the cat flap kit to locate an illustration template that can be used to determine the location of the hole inside the door. This will help you to see where the opening must be, and also to make sure the template is placed correctly on the door. Using a spirit-level to ensure that the template is sitting in a straight line against the door will also be very helpful.

Cut the Flap

You will need to cut a hole in the door panel to install your cat flap prior to you can attach it. This can be a daunting job so it's recommended you get a professional assist you if you don't have the expertise or experience. You can also read the instructions provided with the kit to learn how to do it properly.

To do this you need to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use that as an indicator point. As a rule of thumb put the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the typical height of the stomach for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap without difficulty and make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.

Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. If your kit has a template put it on top of the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you'll be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.

If you are installing your cat flap on an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if you are confident enough to use a jigsaw. Be sure to not cut through any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle according to the way you'd like to cut it. Be patient and don't try to try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.

Once the hole is cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new home. Make sure that it is securely secured. If it has screw caps, then push these onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut, and then seal any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into 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 of cat food on the top of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap it should be able to go in and out as it wants and you should be able to let it out or in without having to be there to open the door to allow it in all day (and potentially in any weather).

It is possible to install a cat flap in an UPVC door or glass door, however it may not be as easy as installing one in a wooden external door. This is because UPVC doors and some types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This could affect the way you cut the opening for the flap and will also affect whether the flap is fitted correctly after it has been installed.

The mounting kit might include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template you can make one on your own. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw far enough to create a larger hole than necessary in your door.

Certain 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 in the correct place on your door. If not, cat flap installers may not be able use it, and could be stuck outside the whole day (or night).

Some models of cat flap have locks which let you manage when your cat comes and goes. They can be extremely useful in the event that you are worried about your pet going out at night and then coming back in the darkness, or you're working all day. Certain locks can be used for access or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.

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