Litter box furniture for two cats: 40 in or 47 in?
The short answerFor two cats, choose a 47 in double cabinet: it holds two litter boxes side by side, and models with two cat passageways stop one cat from cornering the other. A 40 in bench holds one large, hooded or automatic box, which works for two cats only if the other boxes live somewhere else.
The rule that decides it
The common vet guideline is one litter box per cat, plus one. For two cats that means three boxes. A 47 in double covers two of them in one piece of furniture; a 40 in bench covers one. Either way, put the last box in a different room, since boxes in one cabinet share one location.
Side by side
| 40 in bench | 47 in double | |
|---|---|---|
| Holds | 1 jumbo, hooded or automatic box | 2 standard boxes, or 1 automatic box plus storage |
| Floor used (our models) | 39.4 x 15.6 in, about 4.3 sq ft | 47.2 x 17.7 in, about 5.8 sq ft |
| Wall you need | About 40 in | About 48 in |
| 2026 price band | $60-130 | $87-150 |
The 47 in takes only about 1.5 sq ft more floor than the 40 in, and for two cats that extra space buys a second box and a second exit.
When the 40 in is the better buy
- You use an automatic litter box and want it hidden. Check the interior and the door against the unit before you buy.
- Your wall space is under 48 in, for example between a door frame and a corner.
- You want the top as a bench or entryway surface. Our 40 in model's top is rated to 150 lb.
When the 47 in wins
- Two cats, one bathroom or laundry room, and no room for a second cabinet.
- One cat tends to wait outside the box for the other. Two entrances fix that bottleneck.
- You want scoop, bags and litter stored in the same unit.
Not enough wall for either?
Go up instead of wide. A tall cabinet with the litter area at the bottom and shelves above uses about 30 x 21 in of floor and puts storage or perches overhead.
Measure before you buy
- Measure your litter box and add about 2 in on each side. That is the interior you need.
- Check the height inside if you use a hooded box.
- Check the door against your bigger cat.
Our picks
- Best value double: The Duplex - 47.2 x 17.7 x 19.7 in, 4 doors, 2 cat passageways, top rated to 132 lb, $81.99.
- Double with lights and perches: The Lantern House - 47.2 x 22 x 27.7 in, holds 1-2 boxes including automatic, LED strip, 2 upper platforms and a scratching post, $169.99.
- 40 in bench: The Long Bench - 39.4 x 15.6 x 19.5 in, opens from the top for scooping, top rated to 150 lb, $99.99.
- Short on wall space: The Tower Cabinet - 57 in tall metal cabinet, inner litter area 30.3 x 21.2 x 19.8 in, 3 shelves above, $134.99.
