We recently got a new kitten and when we first got her, she had no problem hopping up onto the couch, which was no problem for us. However, she got an infection and was limping for a while, but we took her to the vet and it is completely better except one thing: she doesn't jump up onto the couch anymore. This wouldn't be a problem, but she still wants to get onto the couch, so she climbs up the arm of our couch like it is a climbing post. We don't have a problem with her being on the couch, but it is starting to scratch through the soft fabric and we DO have a problem with that. Help!

Set up a stairs for her -- boxes of differents heights to make steps. Cover the arm of the couch with a pillowcase temporarily.

Set up a climbing post for her to use to get on the couch. Cover the arm of the couch in plastic (supposedly cats don't like the feel) to deter her from using it. Then buy/make a climbing post/board/ladder to set against the arm for her to climb.

I am curious about why she isn't jumping. Is she jumping on other things and running and playing like you would expect a kitten to play?

I love the idea of a climbing post next to the couch, or covered stairs next to the couch.

I do also wonder why she is no longer jumping. Is it because it hurts to jump, she can no longer jump, or is it laziness?

I would rule out any medical issues that may have resulted from her illness that may be effecting her ability to jump.

Make sure her nails are trimmed so that the puncture to the couch is less. There are also rubber tips you can buy to prevent her from scratching up your furniture. You place them on the nail yourself, and they need to be replaced around once a month as the nail grows. The only bad thing about these nail covers is that it doesn't allow a cat to do what a cat needs to do, which is scratch and claw. We have a cat, I trim his nails, and provide him with a lot of scratching surfaces. He climbs on everything, but never damages anything.

Make sure she has enough toys to scratch and claw at, a cat condo with a scratching post is a great idea, and if you're handy, easy to make. If you want a few design ideas ask and I'll post them.