how many cats are too many ?

I've had as many as seven indoor cats at one time.  Really depends on the size of your home.  I would say N where N = the number of rooms you line in -1.  I also currently feed four cats that hang out around my porch, plus two feral colonies.  Grand total of about 20

There's no law that says how many cats you can keep. If you were able to look after as many as 10 cats then by all means go for it.

It's not as simple as saying a set number of cats. What you're describing is someone being a hoarder i.e. when they own more animals than they're able to properly care for.

As long as an owner can still afford all of the necessary expenses, it's possible for people to have lots of cats, say 30 cats and not be a hoarder:-

- a good quality cat food, which the cats like, and also meets their nutritional requirements.

- food and water bowls, as well as cleaners and replacements for them as and when needed

- vet's bills

- pet insurance

- cat litter

- hiring a groomer, or buying grooming tools to do it themselves

- carriers used to take cats out where needed, such as to see a vet.

- cat litter tray replacements as and when needed

- cleaner for cat litter trays

- cattery costs, for example if someone goes on holiday, and cannot take the cats with them, or get someone else to look after the cats instead

For some people, being a hoarder could be something as simple as owning a dog which is a large breed, such as a Doberman, a Labrador retriever or a standard poodle.

Hope this helps.

When you can't afford vet care for all of them, can't afford to feed them, can't afford to spay/neuter then you have too many.

3 .......................