Cat Mate Cat Flap Instructions

While some cats are strictly indoor animals, other felines enjoy the freedom of wandering outside, stalking small prey and basking in the sun. If you don't want to let your cat in every time he meows at the door, a cat door can provide the best solution for both you and your pet. Cat Mate, a division of Pet Mate, has a line of cat doors called Cat Flaps. The flaps are lockable, and will only admit cats wearing a special provided magnet on their collars. All cats can exit the door.

Things You'll Need

  • Drill with 1/4-inch and 3/16-inch bits
  • Electric jigsaw
  • Measuring tape
  • 9-volt battery
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Instructions

  1. Preparation and Cutting

    • 1

      Hold up the template to your door, lining up the frame's bottom with the approximate height of your cat's stomach. Draw an outline around the provided template with a pencil.

    • 2

      Drill a 1/4-inch wide hole inside each of the upper corners.

    • 3

      Use an electric jigsaw to cut out the traced template on the door.

    • 4

      Measure your door to determine its thickness -- there are different instructions for doors 7/8 of an inch or thinner versus thicker doors.

    Doors 7/8-Inch Thick or Less

    • 5

      Center the provided interior frame over the hole and use a pencil to mark the position of the four screw holes. Remove the frame from the door.

    • 6

      Drill four 3/16-inch wide holes in each of the screw spots.

    • 7

      Determine the screw size based on your door's thickness. Use 1/2-inch screws for doors 1/8-inch thick or less; 3/4-inch screws for doors 1/8-inch through 3/8-inch thick; 1-inch screws for doors 3/8-inch through 5/8-inch thick; or 1 1/4-inch thick screws for doors 5/8-inch through 7/8-inch thick.

    • 8

      Line up the exterior frame and interior frame over the hole. Tighten the interior frame to the exterior by inserting the screws through the interior side. Attach the screw covers.

    Doors 7/8-Inch Thick or Thicker

    • 9

      Line up the interior frame over the hole and screw it on the inside of the door panel with 1/2-inch screws.

    • 10

      Drill the four screw holes on the exterior frame with a 3/16-inch drill bit.

    • 11

      Line up the exterior frame on the outside of the door and screw in 3/4-inch screws in the four positions from the outside. Cover the screw heads with the provided covers.

    Power the Door and Set Up the Collar Magnet

    • 12

      Remove the door's battery cover by pulling the tabs out. Insert a 9-volt battery into position and replace the cover.

    • 13

      Remove your cat's collar.

    • 14

      Thread the magnet directly onto the collar so the paw print faces outward. The magnet should line up approximately with the flap's bottom edge.