Unfortunately, no, you should not put a standard cat flap into a fire door. Doing so invalidates the doors fire-rating, so this is not something that it is recommended that you do. That said, you CAN purchase a fire-rated cat flap door if you wish to install a cat flap on a fire door and this will be okay.
In this article, we’ll discuss the most frequently asked questions concerning cat flap doors – how they work, where you can install them, and more. Read on to find out what people are asking about cat flap doors this week – and get the answers you need before installing your own!
Table of Contents
- Can you put a cat flap in a metal garage door?
- Can you put a cat door on any door?
- What is a cat flap door liner?
- How do you lock a cat’s cat flap?
- Do magnetic cat flaps work?
- How high off the ground should a cat door be?
- Can you put a cat door in a wooden door?
- How much does it cost to install a cat door?
- Can you use a magnetic cat flap without the magnet?
- How does the PetSafe magnetic cat flap work?
- How does magnetic cat door work?
Can you put a cat flap in a metal garage door?
Yes, you can install a cat flap in a metal garage door, but you’ll need a little DIY inclination, skill, and the assistance of a disc grinder. This should allow you to utilize a metal garage door which is up to 50 mm of thickness for the installation and hosting of your cat flap door.
Can you put a cat door on any door?
Just about! You can install a cat door in all kinds of useful places. Examples include a cat door in your garage door, for instance, or you could install one or more on doors inside of your house to give you cat access to these rooms.
They can even be installed in walls, if you like, so if you have something particular in mind then be sure to check – the odds are you can have the door installed just about anywhere that you think it might be useful.
What is a cat flap door liner?
Cat flap door liners are basically a means of making your cat door operate with little or no sound. These usually consist of a soft lining that is installed where the door itself makes contact with the base and the soft material muffles or even eliminates the sound that is made when your cat uses the door.
This helps to keep the noise from frightening your cat or from disturbing you during the day, so cat flap door liners are actually an excellent option.
How do you lock a cat’s cat flap?
That depends on the cat flap. Some low tech options simply employ a manual lock which you may engage as you like, while electronic models often lock and unlock whenever your cat is close to them, or may simply be set on a time schedule to lock and unlock automatically.
It all depends on the make and model that you choose. That said, if it’s just a standard flap with no lock, you might consider affixing magnets to the base and adding a metal strip. Your cat can still easily open the door and this will help to minimize drafts coming in from outside.
Do magnetic cat flaps work?
Yes, magnetic cat flaps work, although the collar can get a bit of wear and tear with extended use. Some owners prefer to go with a microchip, which basically works like a transponder, unlocking the door every time that your cat gets close enough to it.
The microchip option costs a little more, but it does tend to last longer. That said, magnetic keys don’t need to have their batteries replaced, so there are pluses and minuses for both options.
How high off the ground should a cat door be?
Measure from the base of your cat’s chest, all the way up to their shoulders and write this number down in inches. Add 2 inches to this measurement, and you have the perfect size for your cat door.
The base of the door itself should be at least 2 to 3 inches above the ground, to ensure that heavy rains aren’t a risk for coming in through the pet door.
Can you put a cat door in a wooden door?
Yes, you can install a cat door in a wooden door, as well as a glass or a metal one. Even hollow doors can support an installation, although you need to be more careful with these as they are fragile. If your wooden door is the hollow variety, it might be worth your while to pay a professional installer.
That way if the door is damaged in the process, the work should be insured and you won’t have to get a new door out of pocket.
How much does it cost to install a cat door?
If you’ve already got the pet door that you would like installed, then the actual installation should run you anywhere between $75 and $300. This will depend on the type of door that you are installing it into, as different materials or other special considerations will be reflected in the cost of the installation.
Can you use a magnetic cat flap without the magnet?
This depends on the model, but most magnetic cat flaps will have an option that allows you to disable the magnetic key requirement so that the cat flap just functions like a standard, low tech variety.
By turning a dial, your cat will no longer need the magnet to get in or out, but the caveat is that other animals may try to use the door if they catch the smell of food inside.
How does the PetSafe magnetic cat flap work?
PetSafe magnetic cat flaps work by means of a magnetic key that allows your cat to unlock their pet door by getting close enough to it for the key to be recognized.
PetSafe also offered microchip collar options, which allow for opening the door without having to press as close against it, by means of a radio frequency/RFID microchip embedded in a collar. Both options are quite nice, as they keep the door safe and securely closed when your cat is not using it.
How does magnetic cat door work?
Magnetic cat doors are designed to respond to a magnetic ‘smart key’ which is either embedded or hung from your cat’s collar. While these don’t require batteries like a microchip, your cat does need to get fairly close to the door to properly use it.
If the collar becomes damaged, these doors may be simply set not to lock and the door may still be used like a standard, low-tech cat flap.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.