Congratulations on getting your feline friend a cat flap to allow her more freedom outside and to teach her to use Mother Nature instead of a smelly litter box in your home. Now you need to install it properly so she can enjoy the full benefit of it.
Whether you are installing it into a UPVC or wooden door the principle is the same. Only if you are fitting the cat flap into a glass door should you contact a glazier to make the required hole.
One of the first things you will need to do it measure carefully and study the instructions supplied with your cat flap of choice. Usually the ideal height for a cat flap placement is approximately 5 inches from the floor to the bottom of the cat flap. Remembering this is only an estimate and may vary if you have a larger or smaller cat than normal. Then you place the bottom of the cat flap on the 5 inch mark and transfer the height and width measurements onto the door with a pencil. Making sure you have it on the precise area you want it then trace the entire inside of the cat flap and not just the corners.
You will need to draw a line from each corner crossing each other like an ‘X’ with your pencil to find the middle of the area before you begin drilling. Now you can drill a hole into each corner of the square you have made. Remove your drill and place your keyhole or scroll saw at the holes and begin sawing out the opening for your new cat flap. After you are done sawing you can smooth out any roughness with a piece of sandpaper.
Place the inside frame that encases the lock or flap into the door snug. This is when you install the screws into the designated screw holes only tightening them down by hand, not to tight. Now place the outer frame on the outer side of the door and connect with the screws using a hand screwdriver to guard against over-tightening.
It may take a few days for some kittens and cats to get used to the cat flap being available to them. An owner’s use of patience and cat flap training are vital here. While using both you are sure to have a very self reliant pet in no time.
