Not all cats and even kittens come with the desire to be handled and cuddled. We’ve rescued feral kittens from several different situations and, while we’ve managed to eventually create a lovely bond with each of them, they were all afraid of strangers—even frequent visitors to our home. We call them “hidey cats.” When the doorbell rings the cats run and hide the “stranger” leaves. Then they’ll come out and sniff the area where the “intruder” had walked, stood, or sat. Just about the only guests who could interact with these cats were 
those who spent the night. If the guest was still here by morning, the cat would let him/herself be seen and maybe even petted.
I once bought a four-month-old Himalayan kitten at a pet shop. She grew to be a wonderful pet, but she, too, was a hidey cat. 
I wanted others to enjoy her sweet beauty, but that I had to share through picture or the guest had to lay on the floor and peer under the dust ruffle on the bed in order to meet and greet Katy. One day, however, our
next door neighbors came in for a summer refreshment and Katy came out of hiding and actually interacted with them. We were stunned. Later, it occurred to us that she knew them because she frequently watched them from her window perch and she’d observe us interacting with them. That’s why she felt safe to walk right up and introduce herself to Bob and Susan so brazenly.
When we adopted our new cuddle-bug kitten, Olivia, we hoped she’d be a social cat. But we’re in the middle of a pandemic and, like everyone else, we’re just not socializing except out in the open air—our front porch, deck, patio or with neighbors in the street. Olivia does not have the opportunity to become more widely socialized.
Everyone who wants to meet her does so 
through the screen door or a window, but she isn’t at all comfortable with strangers coming that close even with a partition between them. Sad.
Last week my grown grandson stopped by. He’s a real cat person, and when he saw Olivia through the screen door he attempted to entice her.
We’d really like her to be social with friends and family and he was wearing a mask, so we invited him inside to help with her extended socialization. She immediately ran under the couch. So we suggested he give her one of her favorite treats.
That did the trick. Once Olivia heard him twist off the lid to her favorite treats, he quickly became one of her best friends and he was able to pet her and play with her a little. We decided we’d invite others who also like cats and who want to interact with Olivia to step inside the door and let her get to know them through treats and friendly play. If we play it right, maybe when this isolation is over she’ll have decided not to be a hidey cat.
I’ve also had cats that weren’t particularly cuddly. 
Olivia is a cuddler. She’s a real lap cat and I’m enjoying that immensely. I’ve watched aloof kittens grow into aloof cats over the years, and eventually learn to enjoy a little lap time. What a thrill to finally have a one of your soft, fluffy cats purring in your lap and enjoying a nice petting session—especially after he avoided 
close contact for most of his life.
Here are a couple of tips for turning a rather snooty/snobbish cat into a bit of a snuggle bug. Give her a cozy blanket. Place it on a chair or a spot on the sofa where she likes to lay. When she gets used to it—in fact, falls in love with it, take it one day when she isn’t using it and drape it over your legs while you relax in her favorite chair or sofa spot. It may take a while, but the cat is likely to eventually join you just so she can have her blanket. This has worked for me a couple of times. Here’s a link to an article with more tips and techniques for turning your aloof cat into a cuddle bug. https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/pets/if-your-cat-s-not-into-cuddling-2-vets-have-suggestions-to-change-their-behavior/ar-BB18p5ig
