How to Choose a Cat Flap Installer

A cat flap permits your pet to go in and out of the house as it pleases and reduces stress for you and your feline friend. Installing a cat flap can be a difficult task. Planning and preparation are the key to success.

Begin by gathering your tools and materials. Mark the exact location of your flap on the door or wall.

Location

A cat flap lets your pet to go out and explore, eat, and play without needing to open and close the door each time. It also gives your cat access to their cat's litter box and food bowl which helps keep them from arguing over it. The location of the flap is dependent on the needs of your cat and the design of your home. The ideal location for a cat flap is a back door that leads to the garden, since this creates a more concealed exit and entrance for your pet. It also stops them from feeling exposed to other predators and wild cats that could attack them. You can also conceal the exit using plant pots or furniture in your garden to make your cat more comfortable.

Cat flap installers who are professional have years of experience fitting all kinds of cat flaps, ranging from traditional ones to modern microchip-activated models. They can advise you on the best type of flap for your house and cat, based on aspects like insulation, security and user-friendliness. They can place your cat's flap on a variety materials and locations including uPVC glass, glass, and balconies. This minimizes damage to your property and ensures that the cat flap fits perfectly and is something you won't be capable of doing yourself.

Before your Tasker arrives at your home, you should prepare the cat flap by ensuring that your pet is wearing the correct microchip fitted or collar tag that is compatible with the new cat flap. You will need to check if the cat flap you pick is powered by batteries or mains power. You'll need to replace the batteries regularly in the event that you select the latter.

Type of Door or Window

A cat flap is a door in a door or window that allows pets to enter and leave as they please. Available in different sizes and materials, they can be adapted to fit any pet. They can also be fitted with microchip technology that recognizes your pet's microchip and allows them to be used in the home.

It is crucial to select the ideal location for your cat flap to ensure their comfort and safety. It should be positioned in a window or door that opens to a garden or patio in a place where your pet feels safe and secure when passing through the flap. If this is not possible then place the flap close to plants that your cat can get a place to hide behind. This will make it feel more secure while passing through the flap.

It is recommended to hire a professional to install a cat flap. They have the expertise and experience to install a variety of cat flaps, including those with microchip technology in all types of doors and windows. This reduces the risk of damage to your property and ensure that the flap is a perfect fit for your cat or kitten.

The cat flap should be installed in the frame of a uPVC frame or door, as it will provide better insulation. Your installer will be able to guide you on how to put in the cat flap on the case of a wooden or composite door. It could be necessary to replace the entire panel of the door with a brand new one that your installer can cut in the cat flap. This is more expensive and complex than drilling or cutting a hole, however, it is a viable option for homeowners who don't want burglars to gain access to their homes through cat flaps.

Cat Accessibility

With a cat flap your cat is able to move around whenever it wants without you needing to open the door or window for it.  upvc door panel with cat flap fitted  discover that their cat has difficulty using the new flap at first and it can be a challenge to train. Fortunately, there are some easy tips to help your cat become comfortable with their new freedom and fall in love with their flap.

First, allow your cat to explore the flap at their own pace. This can be done by removing the flap out of the box and putting it in a place where your cat spends most of their time. This will allow them to get familiar with the shape, size and movement of the flap, and they are less likely to be wary of it when you install it.

You could also leave the flap open for a few weeks before you put it in. This will give your cat the chance to see the flap from every angle and explore it, so that they are aware that there's an opening to open. This is especially helpful with opaque or magnetized flaps that are more difficult to train than transparent ones.

Once you've settled on a place, measure the door or window using a spirit-level and draw an 'X' in the centre where the cat flap will be put in. Ideally, this will be close to where your cat typically is able to enter and exit the home so that they can practice entering and exiting independently without unnecessary pressure. Then, use fine sandpaper to smooth out the edges of the hole and clear it of any debris or loose material. This will prevent your cat from snagging the flap's edge as they become familiar with it.

Safety

A cat flap installed in a door or window allows your pet to leave and enter the house as they wish, eliminating the need to keep opening and closing doors. This freedom allows cats the freedom to explore their "territories", and exercise, which helps reduce boredom and stress. This also stops them from becoming overweight or eating too much, as they can reach their food bowls from outside.

Ideally, a cat flap should be installed on the same side of your house as your main entrance. This way, your pet can return to the house quickly if they are uncomfortable or scared outside. You can also supervise your pets more easily as they use the flap. You can check if they are eating well or if they've been yelled at by other animals or neighbours.

It's also worth installing a lock on your cat's flap, particularly if you reside in an urban zone with a lot of stray animals or other animals. This will help keep your neighbours' cats out and your own in, reducing the risk of them getting injured or lost. It is also a good idea to install motion-activated lights near your cat's flap to discourage burglars from coming close to the flap.

Cat flap installers who are professional are highly skilled and possess the knowledge to correctly align and install all kinds of pet flaps on doors, uPVC panel and windows. This minimises property damage and helps your cat to become accustomed to the new flap, making it a safe and enjoyable experience for them. It is recommended to have the installer seal the opening of the flap in order to stop water and drafts from entering your home.

Installation

A cat flap allows your pet to get in and out of the home without opening the door. There are a variety of possibilities for installing it on different doors and windows. However it is important to consider the safety and comfort of your pet should be a priority when choosing a location for the cat flap. A professional cat-flap installer will ensure your pet's new entry is secure, safe and simple to use.

For an entrance, the cat flap should be set at a head height, which makes it easier for your cat to approach and pass through the opening. The best placement would also depend on the positioning of your front door, the habits of your cat and any other obstructions or hazards in the vicinity.

If you're installing the cat flap in a uPVC or composite door, a professional will take special care to prevent damage to the door's structure. They will ensure that the hole is large enough to accommodate the cat flap but not too large that it will damage the integrity of the door.

When fitting the cat flap inside windows, it's essential to make sure that you use only toughened safety glass. It's also essential to ensure there aren't any electric cables or pipes in the area where you intend to cut the hole. Cutting into brick walls can cause damage to the electrics and lead to instability of the wall as in addition to leaks and damage from the outside. It is highly recommended that you hire a professional to do the work for you. They can put up a cat-flap in any door or window. This will reduce property damage and keep your pets safe.