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Original poster

OK thinking of getting a cat....can I have cat flap on glass door??

17 replies

simpson · 19/07/2009 23:23

Basically title says it all

I have 2 small Dcs (3 & 1) and am thinking of getting a cat.

But only door to put cat flap in is patio door which is glass.

Is it possible to do??

Also am I mad to get one with small kids??

TIA

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 20/07/2009 08:28

Yes it is possible but it costs a bit to get the glass cut to fit it. Esp. if it's double glazed. Is there a wall next to the door you could cut a hole in - will be cheaper.

Also yes I have a cat (had two till last week ) with small kids. It's fine. But get a shorthaired one unless you like hoovering once a day!!

Hassled · 20/07/2009 08:33

What WMMC said. You'll need to talk to a glazier - in our case they replaced the entire pane of glass with one with a circle (you'll need the catflap dimensions) cut out of it, but that might not be necessary.

Cats and children are fine together. You'll need to discourage tail pulling. If you're getting a kitten they can't go outside for a quite a while anyway - not until they've been neutered.

Original poster
simpson · 20/07/2009 09:49

No no wall to cut into instead

Only other alternative is my nice new front door which I am very reluctant to cut into

OP posts:
GrapefruitMoon · 20/07/2009 09:52

Is it a normal door or sliding? Think sliding can be tricky but I'm sure I've seen a catflap advertised which was suitable for this.

I've had catflaps put in a normal glass door - it is pricy though (think we paid £200 a few years ago - you need a whole new pane made with a hole in it)

Cats are the best pet - v. low maintenance - less trouble to look after than a goldfish imo

Jux · 20/07/2009 09:58

There are catflaps for glass doors, I had one once. Is it double-glazed? If so, you might have a problem, as double glazing involves some kind of vacuum between the two layers of glass and if you cut it you will be releasing the vacuum - not a good idea.

When I used one for glass doors, I discovered it wasn't actually glass but perspex. I had borrowed one of those electric saw things with a very little blade, which basically melted the perspex! I had to do it in very short blasts so the bloody things didn't heat up too much. Got in done eventually though, and for all I know it's still there!

GrapefruitMoon · 20/07/2009 10:00

jux, that's why you have to get a new pane of glass made up if it's double-glazed

fortyplus · 20/07/2009 10:04

Don't know about the cat flap but a cat makes a great pet for small kids. They are just the easiest pet. No walks, no cleaning out hutches or tanks so easier than a goldfish imo.

I have 2 cats at any one time - and older one then get a kitten when the elderly one dies. So at the moment I have an 8yo cat and a 4 month old kitten who is sooooooo cute and friendly.

If you get one from cat's protection they will make sure that it's a kitten that has been well socialised so will be friendly with your children. They ask for £80 but that includes microchipping and the first year's immunisations.

whomovedmychocolate · 20/07/2009 10:22

Do you have a window - they are generally cheaper to install cat flaps into than doors and cats have no qualms about the jump (best to make it a ground floor window though ).

Original poster
simpson · 20/07/2009 11:49

door not sliding

And not double glazed either

OP posts:
Original poster
simpson · 20/07/2009 12:23

Have got window in kitchen over sink.

TBH probably not worth putting flap in that as in daytime I can just leave it cracked open.

Maybe I will see if I can manage without catflap

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 20/07/2009 12:29

Putting them into walls is pretty easy actually - a lot easier than putting them into glass doors - we had one which was two foot up and we put a little shelf under it and the cats used to love it! Was easier to clean as well because you didn't have to bend down much.

OnACaffieneHigh · 20/07/2009 12:34

One thing I would say about having a kitten and children... Litter trays look a lot like a fun indoor sandpit and sometimes you even did up special new toys!

OnACaffieneHigh · 20/07/2009 12:34

*dig

ZacharyQuack · 20/07/2009 13:03

We have a cat flap in a glass door. When it was installed, the glazier replaced the whole glass pane with safety glass as he said the strength of regular glass is compromised when you cut a hole in it.

Original poster
simpson · 20/07/2009 15:29

at Dcs digging in litter tray

TBH am thinking of getting a cat from cats protection but not a kitten iyswim as yes the litter tray is not wanted!!

OP posts:
Linnet · 21/07/2009 00:12

We're waiting to hear back from the cats protection about getting a cat, had our home check last week . We've not got a cat flap and won't be getting one put in as there is nowhere to put it. There is always someone in the house so they will be able to let the cat in/out as it needs, that's what I'm hoping anyway.

We only have to pay costs of £30 for our cat, but then I don't think they do microchipping I think we need to do that ourselves. Must remember to ask them when they phone.

Original poster
simpson · 21/07/2009 09:23

Linnet - am in the same situation as you in that most of the time there will be somebody at home to let cat in/out.

Must find my local cat protection league

Going on holiday in Oct for a week so want cat after that....

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