Has anyone installed a cat flap in an external wall?

[Wouldbecatowner]

As per the title!

The only realistic option for a cat flap in our house is installing one through the a wall.

Has anyone done this? Was it expensive? Was your cat happy to use a ‘tunnel’ style cat flap?

Any advice appreciated!

We looked at this but ended up having one fitted in our patio doors instead.

Why did you decide against it @Soontobe60 ?

Same as Soontobe60. Our only options were a tunnel through an external wall or through a glass patio window. We went with through the glass. My thinking was also around that if the next owners of the house want to get rid of the cat flap then replacing a glass panel is less of a faff than repairing an external wall.

We did this - not sure how much it cost as it was wrapped in with a lot of other building work though. Our cat got used to it pretty quickly. Putting a trail of treats through the tunnel helped!

I also have a cat who likes to have a good look around outside before venturing out so I suspect he wouldn't be a fan of a tunnel

We've got one. Think it cost us around £200. The cats both use it quite happily once they figured it out and the one has previously broken his back legs but doesn't seem to stop him using it.

Yes I did, the two cats got used to it very quickly despite initial distaste and faffing and it was great. Also meant it didn't keep blowing open in windy weather so no rain or hail in the house.

I didn't want one fitted in the patio doors as they were new double glazing and Mr Fluff was a big cat who would have left fur and dirty pawprints all over the glass.

We've just had one installed. It's great, I'm really glad we didn't put it in the doors, it's much less obtrusive in the wall. Quite pricey though, over £200.

Yes. No idea how much it cost as it was where the old back door was which got bricked up. The cats do not have an issue with the tunnel - one will sit happily in it judging the weather, although you can tell sometimes it is a bit of a squeeze but that's the fatso catso who would struggle with just a normal flap.

We had one in our last house. DH did it himself (and he's not a big DIYer) the cats were quite happy with the tunnel once they got used to it. We did have to put a step outside as it was quite high up the wall as it has to be above the damp proof course

We’ve got one that was here when we moved in. Cat gives not a shit but it does get filthy with cat hair and muddy feet.

@EastWestWhosBest

We’ve got one that was here when we moved in. Cat gives not a shit but it does get filthy with cat hair and muddy feet.

I forgot about the grot! Mind the one we have now gets filthy too and is currently cracked as someone came in, in a bit of a rush after a stand off with a Herring Gull

Yes we did this. Tunnel through the wall just next to the glass doors didn't want a hole in. The cats love to sit in the tunnel watching the garden with their tails still indoors. The only problem is that only one of them can occupy this prime position at any one time.

Thanks for the comments. £200 is less than I thought it might be - would be very happy to pay that if it means we can get a cat!

That’s helpful to see @YayoKireZukusi - my preferred location is similar to that and I wasn’t sure we could fit so close to the door.

We had one fitted as part of building work. They love it. They sometimes lie in it surveying the scene outside and deciding whether it's worth going out. I put a piece of carpet inside that's Velcro'd down for easy cleaning.

Also, we don't have a door/flap on the inside, just a hole in the wall. No draughts either. (clearly it needs a clean though!)

Yes, my husband did it and it was very effective. Now I have no cats and occasionally the cat next door comes in but I don't mind that, she was best mates with one of mine. It needs fixing because the flap is a bit loose, I will fix that eventually. I won't have the hole bricked up but maybe a locking flap because I don't need one now, will not be having any more pets.

@Wouldbecatowner

Why did you decide against it *@Soontobe60* ?

The cost and the mess - also I’d just had my outside wall K rendered and didn't want it spoiled!!

We've done this too as it was just too impractical to fit one in the doors. We used an air brick space in the dining room at our handy man's suggestion, which worked well. We had to put a little ramp the other side but that doesn't bother the cat at all.

We shoved her through it a few times so she knew what it was and she soon got the hang of it. It amuses me greatly to see the back end of the cat sticking out half way out of the wall while she checks out what is going on in the garden.

We put at cat flap and tunnel through our outer wall with external insulation. It works like a charm. We put the main lockable flap on the inside and a second flap to keep the wind out in the outside because ours faces into the prevailing winds.

As with PPs our cats like sitting in the tunnel with their noses sticking out sussing out the weather!

Nb the wall and doors were built with the cat tunnel planned to be there as part of the project. If cutting into an existing wall there could be structural issues with cutting too close to the doorway edge as opposed to actually building the wall with the required gap in it right from the start.

Sorry can't tell you the cost as it was all part of a bigger project.

I've had three done (different houses). My builder charges £50 to do it.

OP, you don't need a cat flap
To have a cat. You will just have to be a door keeper.