Can you 'make' a cat be affectionate?

In my experience....no.  I have three cats right now, and two of them are completely different now than they were as kittens (all of our cats have been rescues).  All three ARE affectionate, but in different ways.  Beckham was shy and timid as a kitten, he was sometimes clingy.  Now, he is the ALPHA, even above the dogs.  He is a diva and he knows it.  He does not appreciate being picked up or carried around, but he will sit on my lap, rub on my leg, and meow for me to scratch him.  My Posh, as a kitten she was a firecracker.  I set her down and instead of hiding, she acted like she owned the place.  Now, she has matured into a quiet and very quirky cat.  She is the most "cat-like" of my cats, in that she doesn't approach strangers in the house, she is very fast and has the best hunting instinct.  She also doesn't like to be picked up or carried, but like Beckham she will sit on my lap, sleep on my pillow wrapped around my head, and LOVES belly rubs.  Marijke is the only one that stayed the same.  She has always begged for attention (literally...howls) and she LOVES being held and carried.  I also had other cats that belonged to my housemates in college.  In my experience, kittens are not really that affectionate at all.  They prefer to be playing and acting crazy and are really only affectionate when dead tired.  They can certainly be outgoing, but I think all three of my adult cats are MORE affectionate now, even though the first two don't like it when you pick them up, they'd rather come to you.

Every cat I've ever had was super affectionate...with me.  Not with strangers though.   If your cat gets exposure to different people on a regular basis then he can be friendly with others as well as opposed to hiding behind the couch.

If I had my heart set on a super-affectionate cat, I'd find an adult to adopt.  That's a much safer bet IMO than taking a chance on being able to "make" a kitten that way.  I think handling/socialization can make a kitten feel more comfortable around people, but I'm not so sure that it would make one more affectionate.

haha, nooo!

I would get an adult cat - if you are looking for a set personality. I've been pretty lucky with my guys - all friendly, with us. I have 5 cats - and they all are so different!

My oldest, Tillie -  I've had her for 14 years - can be almost obnoxious with her 'loving' behaviors - she grabs you when you walk past, begging to be pet. She's not a lap cat though, more like a 'look at how pretty I am. Yes, you may pet me.' lol

Sammy - I've had him for almost 2 years now, he's my dog-cat. Meets you at the door - friendlist cat I know!! I got him when he was 6-7 years. Best kitty ever, if you ask me! Not too annoying, but sweet and affectionate.

Smokey was my feral rescue. He's about 7 now, I've had him since he was almost a year. He loves his family, but hides from company.

Tonka - hurricane rescue - is about 5 now. Was really friendly as a kitten, but got standoff-ish as he got older. He's not a fraidy cat or anything, very social, but has better things to do with his time than sit and play with us lowly humans.

Carliegh is just shy of 6 months. Her personality is still up in the air. She acts more like a dog though, I think it's because she has been raised with the two foster pups I have now. She loves to wrestle with the dogs... like she is a dog. But she's friendly, and loves to be around people. She's not much for sitting in your lap, but she'll lay at your feet. And she almost always sleeps in bed with me....unless she's too busy clearing the counter of all it's residents....(coffee mugs, forks, fruit, papers...you name it, it's on the floor....).

So... long story short (lol) each cat is very different, and it really all depends on what has happened in their lives. This last kitten wasn't supposed to stay - I wanted to get another older cat, but she fit in so perfectly, I cannot picture her in anyother house. She grooms Casey, for crying out loud! She HAS to stay! haha

erica1989

'look at how pretty I am. Yes, you may pet me.' lol

Hahaha, this is my Mom's cat Lucifer exactly.

I'm sooo weirded out right now, because this cat is 11 years old, we've had him since 12 weeks, and right now, for the first time EVER, he climbed on my lap and is now just laying on me purring. He's a super sweet cat, purrs a lot, but a lap cat he is most definitely NOT. I feel reeeaaally bad that I have to get up in a second...

Peaches, is definitely a lap cat and always sleeps with me. She tolerates being picked up, but really doesn't like it. I would say she is very affectionate.

Crombie was HIGHLY affectionate, bordering on annoying. He LOVED to cuddle and he drooled.. A lot. But he was still a kitten so his personality was in the process of changing so if he would have stayed loving, I don't know.

Kameo on the other hand is a rescue my BF adopted. He loves his family but is a little stand offish with strangers. Just recently, since Crombie went missing, he's become more cuddly and vocal and he's going on 8 or 9. Lol.

So it all depends on the cat. I guess. 

Its the opposite with my mixedbreed girl cat, shes TOO afectionate. Always in my lap, following me around the house, sleeping on my head, swatting at Charlie when he walks by. Very pesky.