With the weather finally beginning to feel like summer, and Memorial Day just around the corner, I was searching the internet for a good meat market in preparation to fire up the BBQ. I kept coming across The Huntington Meats at the original Farmers Market at 3rd and Fairfax in L.A.. While searching their web site, I learned that they make a special raw dog food. Although information about raw foods for humans is everywhere you look these days, it usually pertains to a vegetarian diet. I had never thought about it for pets. Since I have a sixteen year old dog at home who has always eaten “people food”, and three adopted dogs in the city that eat beef roast and baked chicken on a daily basis, I wanted to check it out. On the days that I work, the dogs in my life eat better than I do!

The Huntington Meats is exactly the kind of meat market that makes you want to cook. They have a beautiful assortment of handmade sausages that they prepare daily from pork, chicken and lamb and contain no sodium nitrates or preservatives. The market also offers a huge array of Harris Ranch Beef,  Boars Head meats and cheeses, hams and condiments. They have won polls for providing the #1 New York Steak in L.A.. You can order specialty cuts of meat for any occasions or for the Holidays. I have always wanted to try preparing a crowned roast and they said to just order it ahead of time and they’ll tell me how to do it.

But this visit was about the dog food. I met John, a meat cutter who has been cutting meat for 25 years. Dan, one of the owners, has been cutting meat for 40 years, so these guys know their meat!  John said that the raw dog food is made of a mixture of cheeses, ends of ham, hearts, kidneys, liver and spleen. They grind the ingredients, mix it and then grind it a second time. Then they freeze the mixture and cut it into squares. It’s sold in a 3lb bag for $2.98. John said to mix it with kibble the first few times so the dog can get used to it, after that, you can give it to them straight. The raw food should be kept in the freezer. You can take a portion and put it in fridge to thaw slowly the night before you serve it to your pet. Because of the fine grind, you want to thaw slow to prevent bacteria, just like you do with the meat you eat yourself. I was told not to cook it, just break it up. I’m not condoning or condemning the practice of feeding your pet raw meat, but if concerned, there are a lot of articles on the internet that you can read about it. Here is a link to one you might enjoy.

I found it interesting to learn that the raw foods craze was not just for humans, but that it might be a good idea for certain pets as well. Maybe not all pets, like an older dog who has digestive problems. Everyone has to make their own choices about what they feel are the best ingredients for themselves and their pets. If you have concerns, you should talk to your vet but I can tell you that my city dogs, Malcolm, Lulu and Buck all seemed to love it! I really like the idea that a beautiful, quality meat market has thought about my dog’s needs as well as my own. It makes sense.

Huntington Meats will also ship any of their products throughout the U.S. You can visit their web site, or call them at 323-938-5383  for more info.