A cat flap is an opening installed in a door or a wall to allow the cat to enter or exit the house at its discretion. Whether manual, magnetic, or electronic, this device leaves them free to move about.
Installing a cat flap offers several advantages:
- the cat can move freely;
- the owner is not required to open the door for their pet;
- the cat can relieve itself outside at any hour without waking its master;
- the door is spared from claw marks.
Manual models have features to be aware of:
- they are appreciated for their affordable price;
- they are equipped with a flap that the cat pushes to go through one side or the other of the door or wall;
- they have a manual locking system;
- some models are fitted with a two-position locking system (open/close and lock);
- others have a four-position locking system (open/close, lock, entry only, and exit only) allowing to restrict the cat’s movements at certain times (morning exit, no exit in the evening).
Magnetic or electronic models also have some specific features:
- they also are equipped with a flap;
- the locking system unlocks only with a magnetic collar or a chip placed on the household cat;
- the locking system engages automatically once the household cat has entered or exited;
- thus, they prevent neighbor's cats from entering the house using the same path.
The installation of this device requires a few tools:
- a jigsaw;
- a drill-driver;
- a spirit level;
- a pencil;
- a screwdriver.
It is carried out in a few steps.
- The first step is to determine the location of the device. It is best to install it in the middle of the door at about 15 cm from the floor (distance between the floor and the bottom of the cat's belly).
- If the material does not come with a template, it is necessary to transfer it onto the door for outlining with a pencil and marking the screw holes. A check with a spirit level is essential to ensure it is level.
- The door is then cut out with a jigsaw before placing and securing the device with screws.
Thus, the installation of a cat flap relieves the owner of the chore of opening the door for the cat. The choice depends on the budget and the desired level of comfort (automatic locking, restriction, etc.).
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