A common myth about female cats (and female dogs) is that having just one litter before they are spayed makes them better pets. Supposedly, it teaches them about compassion, responsibility, or whatever the person believes is associated with having “children.”
That is a very sad and incorrect belief, because in the first place, we have an overpopulation problem to begin with. There is absolutely no reason to breed a cat that does not have a pedigree! If you’re a reputable breeder and you go to cat shows and like to breed and show, that’s a different ballgame.
Reputable breeders don’t allow their cats to breed just for fun, or just to raise some money for something special, like Christmas shopping or a vacation. They don’t bring more cats into the world just for the money. They also do not breed them until they have already promised aligned homes. Many do not raise them until this future is secured, often in writing. They then follow up to make sure it goes as planned, and if it doesn’t, accredited breeders retrieve them.
If you can alter a cat before puberty, you also eliminate or greatly reduce her chances of developing certain types of reproductive cancer, such as uterine or breast cancer. Cats are very susceptible to breast cancer, actually. And if you sterilize them before they hit puberty, then those hormones that would trigger that reaction in the body will never develop.
An often associated view is that letting the cat have kittens is a good way to teach children about the “miracle of birth.” Those people should buy a video of this ‘miracle’ and stop adding to the problem of overpopulation. If you enjoy watching that much, the video will provide you with hours and hours of replay performance without harming anyone.
But the idea that letting a cat be a mother to make her a better pet is just silly! Treating cats with respect and kindness is the way to make them better pets. Don’t breed them.