Why do cats like petting around their ears and head so much?

Carrie: Why do cats like petting around their ears and head so much?
they like scratches and pettings behind the ear, around the face, under the chin…

I understand why they would put their back side up in the air when you pet their lower back, but what is the evolutionary explanation for why they enjoy the face/ears/head petting so much?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Nell
it’s not petting, what they’re doing is cleaning themselves

Answer by evil_kandykid
I don’t know the deeper meanings, but my cat likes his belly rubbed. He’d take that over a head/chin scratch any day.

Answer by wherewhenwhatwhywho
It reminds them of the nice feeling of when their mother licked them and cleaned them, and also fed them. Also when your cat sees you he rubs his face and chin on you. This is because they are leaving their scent on you. Sort of as a way of claiming ownership.
I didn’t know about them putting their back side up because my cat doesn’t do that. I guess their all different.
I have heard that if you scratch them on the chest they get excited and paw at you. This is because when they catch a mouse or what ever they flip over on their back and hold it with their claws.

Answer by CMP
imagine if you had paws and couldnt reach certain parts of your body
it would really feel good if someone scratched where you couldnt

Answer by old cat lady
I don’t what evolutionary explanation is likely for that. It’s places the cat can’t reach by themselves and I have seen (on TV) lions that lick one another’s heads.

For your cat I know that the ear especially reflects all the acupuncture points in the body so it is pleasant and therapeutic to have them stimulated. Most of my cats really love being scratched under their chins. In the T-touch system stroking from the base of the nose up between the cat’s eyes to the top of the head between the ears can be calming and reassuring to a stressed cat.

Answer by Lauren T
because they cant reach it

Answer by Jessicka J
It’s where their sent glands are, they are marking you. and they can’t scratch there to easily themselves

Answer by satan h
Because those are places where the cats tong cant reach so they love it . It is also a good spot for them