Good advice and thanks. I'm going to call the vet next week I think and have a chat.

It's funny as I'm the first to say no one should have a free roaming animal in their home that's not absolutely trustworthy around their kids, but I do feel this is in large part due to Barney's age. He is at least 16 but could be a year or two older even. For now I'm going to keep blunting his nails back and keeping him in eyesight whenever our 4 year old interacts with him, food or not present.

He's not losing weight other than he usually does. He's a big rangy sort of cat so has always been on the slight side (as well I don't like to see cats fat as it's so incredibly unhealthy for them) and goes up and down on his weight easily and quickly.

Thanks for the advice and good thoughts. I know there's not much to do about the poor old fella, just needed to vent a bit.