PetSafe BAU-15997 Discover the 4 Way Locking Big Cat Door Installation Guide

August 28, 2024
PetSafe

PetSafe BAU-15997 Discover the 4 Way Locking Big Cat Door Installation Guide

Big Cat Flap

What you have:

What you need:

To install the cat flap in a wood, PVC or metal door, you will need:

  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Level
  • Scissors
  • Masking or painter’s tape
  • Hammer and slotted screwdriver (optional; for removing your door from its hinges)
  • Safety glasses
  • Dust mask
  • Hearing protection
  • Work gloves
  • Drill
  • 3 mm (1/8-inch) drill bit (or other small bit; exact size is not critical)
  • 13 mm (1/2-inch) drill bit
  • Jigsaw
  • Jigsaw blade appropriate for the material you will be cutting (wood, PVC, metal, etc.) and at least 25 mm (1 inch) longer than the thickness of the door.
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Exterior-grade caulk (optional)

To install the cat flap in glass, you will need:

  • A set of Big Cat Flap Glass Installation Adaptors (sold separately)
  • The assistance of a professional glazier or glass manufacturer to cut the opening for the cat flap
  • Tape measure
  • Marker or grease pencil
  • Safety glasses
  • Work gloves
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Level
  • Exterior-grade caulk (optional)

Important : It is not possible to cut holes in tempered or double-paned glass except at the time of manufacture. Consult a professional glazier or glass manufacturer to install the cat flap in a glass door or window.

Install the cat flap in a non-glass door

This section explains how to install the cat flap in a wood, PVC or metal door. To install the cat flap in glass, see page 10.

Mark the cat flap location

Measure your cat’s shoulder height when standing. If you have more than one cat, measure the tallest one. Make a note of this measurement.

Make a pencil mark at your cat’s shoulder height on the interior side of the door. Using a level, extend the pencil line at least 125 mm (5 inches) in both directions. This will help you place the cutting template correctly.

The cat flap must be level to work properly.

Using a pencil, draw a vertical line where you want the centre of the cat flap to be. If your door has inset panels, consider how best to position the cat flap to avoid gaps between the cat flap frames and the door.

Using a level, extend the pencil line at least 75 mm (3 inches) above and 165 mm (6 1/2 inches) below the shoulder height line.

Position the cutting template

Cut out the cutting template and tape it to the interior side of the door, matching the shoulder and centre lines on the cutting template with the horizontal and vertical lines you drew on the door.

Important : To maintain the structural integrity of your door, make sure the cutting template is at least 76.2 mm (3 inches) from the edge of the door on all sides.

Use a pencil to trace the outside of the cutting template, being careful to connect the corners.

Make sure the cutting line is clearly marked on the door.

Cut the opening

If desired, remove your door from its hinges and place it on a raised, level surface, such as two sawhorses. The interior side of the door should face up.

Removing the door from its hinges makes it easier to cut the opening for the cat flap, but you can install the cat flap without removing your door from its hinges if you prefer.

Important: Make sure there is nothing behind or underneath the door where you will cut the opening.

Drill 3 mm (1/8-inch) pilot holes at the centre of the 13 mm (1/2-inch) circles just inside the corners of the cutting line. These pilot holes will help centre the drill bit for the subsequent larger holes; they do not need to go all the way through the door.

Switch to the 13 mm (1/2-inch) drill bit and, centring the drill bit in the pilot holes you just drilled, drill holes all the way through the door. Hold the drill steady and straight at a 90-degree angle to the door.

These larger holes will be the pilot holes for the jigsaw blade.

Remove the cutting template and any excess tape from the door.

Using a jigsaw, cut between the holes you just drilled, along the marked cutting line. Make sure your jigsaw blade is appropriate for the door material you are cutting through (wood, PVC, metal, etc.) and at least 25 mm (1 inch) longer than the thickness of the door.

Use both hands to hold the jigsaw firmly against the door.

If you removed your door from its hinges, rehang it now.

Install the cat flap

Insert the interior frame into the opening on the interior side of the door.

Have a helper hold it for you, or tape it in place while you go to the exterior side of the door to fit the exterior frame.

Place the exterior frame on the exterior side of the door, fitting it over the tunnel of the interior frame.

Holding both frames in place, insert screws through the holes in the exterior frame, through the cut opening, and into the holes on the back of the interior frame. If your door is:

  • Between 25 mm (1 inch) and 32 mm (1 1/4 inches) thick, use the 57 mm (2 1/4-inch) screws.
  • Between 32 mm (1 1/4 inches) and 51 mm (2 inches) thick, use the 70 mm (2 3/4-inch) screws.

Make sure the cat flap is level in the opening and then tighten the screws with a manual Phillips screwdriver. Do not over-tighten.

After tightening the screws, check the cat flap one more time to ensure it is level in the opening.

Once you are satisfied the cat flap is installed correctly, insert blanking plugs into the holes in the exterior frame:

  • Insert the two flat blanking plugs into the lower holes.
  • Insert the two contoured blanking plugs into the upper holes.

If you installed the cat flap in an exterior door, weatherproof your installation by applying exterior-grade caulk around the edge of:

  • The cat flap tunnel where it meets the exterior frame.
  • The exterior frame. Be careful not to apply caulk over the weep hole at the bottom of the exterior frame.

Install the cat flap in a glass door or window

Important : It is not possible to cut holes in tempered or double-paned glass except at the time of manufacture. Consult a professional glazier or glass manufacturer to install the cat flap in a glass door or window.

This section explains how to install the cat flap in glass. To install the cat flap in a wood, PVC or metal door, see page 4.

Before proceeding with the glass installation, make sure you have a set of Big Cat Flap Glass Installation Adaptors (sold separately).

Referring to steps 1 and 2 on page 4, use a marker or grease pencil to mark the location for the cat flap on your glass door or window.

Your glazier will need to cut a circular hole with a diameter of 275 mm (10.83 in) with the centre of the circle 36.779 mm (1.45 in) below the shoulder height mark. A glass cutting template is provided with the installation adaptors.

To install the cat flap in the cut opening:

Fit an installation adaptor onto the back of the interior frame and then insert it into the cut opening on the interior side of the glass. The rubber gasket on the installation adaptor should face the glass. Have a helper hold the interior frame in place while you go to the exterior side of the glass.

Fit an installation adaptor onto the back of the exterior frame and then fit it onto the tunnel of the interior frame. The rubber gasket on the installation adaptor should face the glass.

Holding both frames in place, insert 51 mm (2-inch) screws (provided with the installation adaptors) through the holes in the exterior frame, through the cut opening, and into the holes on the back of the interior frame. Make sure the cat flap is level in the opening and then tighten the screws with a manual Phillips screwdriver. Do not over-tighten.

After tightening the screws, check the cat flap one more time to ensure it is level in the opening.

Once you are satisfied the cat flap is installed correctly, insert blanking plugs into the holes in the exterior frame:

  • Insert the two flat blanking plugs into the lower holes.
  • Insert the two contoured blanking plugs into the upper holes.

If you installed the cat flap in an exterior door or window, weatherproof your installation by applying exterior-grade caulk around the edge of:

  • The cat flap tunnel where it meets the exterior frame.
  • The exterior frame where it meets the installation adaptor. Be careful not to apply caulk over the weep hole at the bottom of the exterior frame.

It is not necessary to apply caulk between the installation adaptor and the glass.

Train your cat

Temporarily secure the GentleClose™ flap in an open position by taping one end of a piece of string to the flap and the other end to the door.

With you on one side of the door and your cat on the other, offer your cat’s favorite toys or treats to encourage your cat to go through the opening.

If your cat will not go through the opening, leave the flap taped open and give her some time to explore the door on her own. Do not force your cat through the opening.

After your cat has gone through the cat flap a few times, lower the flap slightly. Offer your cat’s favorite toys or treats to encourage your cat to go through the opening.

As your cat moves through the opening, she will feel the flap resting lightly on her back.

Allow your cat to get to used to pushing through the flap at this height, then progressively lower it until she is comfortable pushing the cat flap open on her own.

With a little patience and a lot of praise, both you and your cat will soon be enjoying the security and freedom provided by your new cat flap.

Use the Push-&-Turn™ 4-way lock

Once your cat is familiar with using the cat flap, you can start using the Push-&-Turn™ 4 way lock. To change the lock setting, push the knob in and then turn it to the desired position:

Open the door to a world of independence and happiness for your cat.

We’re here to help!
For important safety and warranty information, please see the customer care guide.

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+61 1800 786 608 ****

PPA10-17882
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References

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