Fitting a Cat Flap It might seem daunting to put up a cat flap, but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Find out how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally it's at the belly height). Note this on the door and then use the template included as a guide to drill.    If you have a kitten that is still a newborn and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and encourage it to go through. Reward it as it passes through.    Measure the Door    A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at any time. This can help keep your cat in good health as it will ensure it is getting enough exercise and will also allow it to go back inside if it is stranded outside in bad weather. This will cut down on the time you allow your cat out or in, and keep your home secure by letting you know when it has left.    It is crucial to make sure that the cat flap is placed properly to stop your pet from being forced through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine your pet's belly height and the doorway of your house so that you can ensure that the flap is at the correct height. You can alter the height of your flap in case your cat is smaller or taller than average.    The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door that you will put the flap. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap inside 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.    Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process may be slightly more complicated when you have to install it into the frame of a uPVC or composite door as these doors come in a wide range of thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. This is the reason we recommend calling a professional to carry out the job, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.    Measure Your Cat    You can save yourself hours of listening to the pet's meow to be let 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 all weathers.    If cat flap fitters want to fit a cat flap on your door it is important to measure your cat before attempting the task. While it may seem a simple operation it is crucial to get the measurement right or your pet will be unable to use.    First, make sure that your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a place in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail will allow you to make an accurate measurement.    Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it's time to look at the door and decide where to put the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door with minimal effort. This will also avoid the flap from making lots of noise when it opens and closes.    You will need to consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This makes the installation of an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is the proper size.    It is also worth looking through the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to find a template drawing that can be used to mark out the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole must be located and make sure that the template is placed precisely on the door. It is also helpful to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is flush against the door.    Cut the Flap    Before you can install your cat flap, you'll must cut the door panel to create a space large enough to accommodate it. It can be a difficult job and it is recommended that you get a professional assist you if you do not have the knowledge or skills. It is also recommended that you read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to discover how to do it correctly.    To do this you need to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as an indicator point. A good guideline is to put the flap around 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This way, your cat can move through the flap without difficulty and it will also give any other cats or curious neighbours a tough time trying to leave or enter.    Once you have determined the best location for the cat flap to be placed, mark this position on the door with pencil. If your kit comes with an outline, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you'll be able to cut out the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.    You can install the cat flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door if you are confident with a jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut into 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 it. Take your time, and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.    After the hole has been made, carefully place the cat flap into its new home. Make sure that it is solidly secured. If it features caps for screws, then put these caps onto the screws that protrude. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop draughts from entering your home.    Place the Flap    If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using a stick or your hand. Once your pet has become comfortable moving through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap whenever it wants. This lets you let it in and out at any time it wishes.    It is possible to fit a cat flap into the UPVC or glass doors however it's not as simple as fitting one into a wood external door because UPVC and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could affect how you cut the hole for the flap, and can also affect whether your flap is fitted correctly after it has installed.      Depending on the model of cat flap you select, it may include a mounting kit and template that shows precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to make one on your own. It is important not to push the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't leave a bigger than necessary hole in your door.    Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap it's important to make sure the hole is in the right position on your door, because if it's not, your cat will not be able to use the flap and could be stranded in the open all day (or even night).    Some models of cat flap have locks which let you control the time your cat comes and goes. They can be extremely useful in the event that you are worried about your cat going out at night and coming back in because of the darkness, or you're at work all day. The lock can be used to allow or deny entry, and some can be locked in either direction allowing you to shut the door completely. This is especially beneficial for older or ill cats who don't want to go out in the rain. 

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