Cat's right paw sunken, picture inside - what could it be?

Hi,

I've recently been taking care of our family cat while my mom is away on vacation.

She's 20 but in fairly good health. Her walk however is a bit wobbly. We always assumed this was due to her advanced age but today I noticed something weird - her right paw pictured below.


It appears to be sunken - and when she walks it accentuated... almost as if she's walking on the forearm part of the paw.

She does not appear to be in pain and can walk - it's just... wobbly. I've taken her in my arms and touched/examined the paw - she does not flinch or appear to be in pain.

What could be causing this? I know her kidney's aren't great... I just feel so bad for her, it looks jarring. 

Twenty is certainly a ripe old age, she has been well cared for.  I don't know maybe it's a form of arthritis.  Is she declawed?  I'm not saying that to get on your case but I know declawing affects their gait, it actually causes them to walk flat footed which may be accentuated by her age.

She is declawed. You can't get on my case either because it was done by my mother when I was 5! I disagree with it and would never do it to my cats though.

That's a very interesting theory and actually makes me feel a bit better. I was more concerned it was something that had happened to her while under my care! I have recently seen videos from a few months ago that suggest she's had this for some time.

Funny though that only one leg would be effected? Is there any remedy for this that anyone knows of? Any other possibilities?

Thanks for your help! 

I have to agree that this is a declaw deformity and quite common in declawed kitties. She is 20 and appears to be ok with it. Nothing can be done unless she is in pain or has arthritis associated with it, then a vet can prescribe something for the pain. I think there are herbal remedies that can be offered as treats for joints and arthritis.