Cats could undoubtedly take first place in the Olympic stretching competitions. They regularly stretch their muscles, which brings them obvious pleasure.
Cats spend 12–16 hours sleeping each day, which is twice as much as humans devote to Morpheus. During sleep, a cat's brain paralyzes most of its muscles to prevent physical manifestations of dreams, allowing the animals to avoid falling during their naps.
After waking up, cats begin to stretch, thereby activating their muscles after a long rest. Stretching helps normalize blood pressure by increasing blood flow to the muscles and brain, and it also promotes active wakefulness and alertness. Additionally, it aids in the removal of toxins such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid that accumulate during periods of inactivity.
Moreover, stretching prepares the muscles for active use. If a mouse or spider runs by, cats will be ready to pounce. Thus, stretching for them is not only a pleasure but also a necessity.
