Member’s Mark Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons
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Review Summary
We give Member’s Mark dog food a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.
If you are a Sam’s Club member, you have likely noticed that their Member’s Mark brand offers up a few of their very own dog food. While there is not a wide variety of available options offered by Member’s Mark, they do have both grain-inclusive and grain-free choices, and even puppy food.
We have taken an in-depth look at the Member’s Mark dog foods to offer you an unbiased and thorough review of the different options they currently have on the market. We will see the type of quality they offer and see how they stand up to the competition.
At a Glance: The Best Member’s Mark Dog Food Recipes
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Our Favorite
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Member's Mark Exceed Dry Dog Food |
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Member's Mark Exceed Chicken & Rice |
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Member's Mark Exceed Grain-Free |
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Member's Mark Grain-Free Chicken |
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Member's Mark Exceed Puppy |
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Member’s Mark Dog Food Reviewed
Who Makes Member’s Mark Dog Food and Where Is It Produced?
Member’s Mark is a brand that is only sold at Sam’s Club, the membership-only retail warehouse club that is owned and operated by Walmart. Sam’s Club was founded in 1983 and named after the founder, Sam Walton.
Member’s Mark offers a wide variety of products ranging from food, drinks, clothing, electronics, household items, and more. It is a highly successful and affordable brand that delivers good quality items.
Sam’s Club does state that their Member’s Mark dog foods are made in the United States, but they do not offer any further information about their specific manufacturing location. Most store brands outsource production to a third party and do not have their own dog food manufacturing facilities. Sam’s Club does not provide any third-party information regarding the production of its dog foods.
Which Type of Dog Is Member’s Mark Best Suited For?
Member’s Mark offers up enough variety to work for most dogs. They include grain-inclusive options such as the Exceed Chicken & Rice, Exceed Lamb & Rice, and a Chicken & Rice Puppy food recipe. They also have two grain-free options: the Wild Caught Salmon & Pea recipe and the Grain-Free High-Protein Chicken & Vegetable recipe.
Dogs that suffer from allergies may benefit from the Wild Caught Salmon & Pea recipe, while the High-protein Chicken & Vegetable recipe can fit the needs of working dogs and those that are highly active. Of course, we always recommended speaking to your veterinarian about whether your dog requires a grain-free diet since the FDA is currently investigating a potential link between grain-free foods and canine dilated cardiomyopathy.
Which Type of Dog Might Do Better With a Different Brand?
Depending on which protein source works best for your dog, you may have to look elsewhere. Many other competitors offer a wider variety of animal protein sources that fall outside chicken, lamb, and salmon. Member’s Mark does offer a wet food option, which some large breed puppy owners prefer.
If your dog has special dietary needs, we recommend speaking with your veterinarian regarding different food options. If you feel Member’s Mark food may work for them, it’s best to get their professional opinion on the brand and whether it would be well-suited for your dog’s situation.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)
Reading a dog food label can be quite overwhelming. We’ve gone over every label on the Member’s Mark dog foods and will give you the scoop on each of the main ingredients they use in their formulas:
Chicken/Chicken Meal
Chicken is an excellent protein source that is rich in essential amino acids. Chicken is one of the main sources of animal protein found in commercial dog foods. Chicken meal is the rendered concentrate of chicken, which has been dried and ground up. Chicken meal has a much higher percentage of protein compared to regular chicken.
Chicken is a common protein allergen among allergy sufferers and while it’s a great protein option, if your dog suffers from a chicken allergy, you’ll need to find an alternative protein source.
Lamb/Lamb Meal
Lamb is another healthy animal protein that is also full of essential amino acids. Lamb has less fat than most other protein sources and is commonly used in weight management foods. Lamb meal is the dried, ground, rendered lamb meat that is higher in protein and absent of the moisture of the regular meat.
Salmon
Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which aid in immune system support, is great for skin and coat health, and helps decrease inflammation. Salmon is an excellent source of protein found in many high-quality dog foods. It is a common choice for allergy sufferers that have trouble with other protein sources like chicken or beef.
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a complex carbohydrate that can be fairly easy to digest once it has been fully cooked. Since it is a carbohydrate source, it does provide energy and it is also high in fiber and nutrients, but rice is of only modest nutritional value for dogs. It is a common additive in most commercial dry food.
Ground Barley
Barley is another starchy carbohydrate that supplies fiber and other nutrients. It is a cereal grain that does provide energy content but is also of only modest nutritional value for dogs
Grain Sorghum
Grain sorghum is a starchy cereal grain with a very similar nutrient profile to corn that is less widely used as an alternative grain in dog foods. Sorghum is a grain that helps control blood sugar levels but is not as easy to digest as some other grains such as oats, rice, or barley.
Chickpeas
Chickpeas are part of the legume family, which is a common ingredient in grain-free dog foods. Chickpeas are rich in protein, fiber, and other nutrients. The FDA is currently investigating a potential link between grain-free diets and canine DCM1. The investigation has yet to be concluded so if you have concerns about these ingredients, it’s best to reach out to your veterinarian.
Menhaden Fish Meal
Menhaden fish meal is the dried, ground tissue of the Menhaden fish. This meal provides an excellent source of amino acids and fatty acids which aid in digestion and functionality of the immune system, and provides a healthy skin and coat. Menhaden fish meal is high in protein and is becoming more common in commercial dog foods.
Dried Peas
Dried peas are rich in fiber, vitamins C and E, and zinc. They are commonly used as an ingredient in grain-free food. Again, grain-free diets that include legumes like peas, as alternatives to typical grains are being investigated by the FDA for a potential link to canine dilated cardiomyopathy. No recalls have been issued and the investigation is still being conducted so please reach out to your veterinarian with any questions.
Dried Egg Product
Eggs are considered high-quality protein that is rich in healthy fat, essential amino acids, vitamins, and essential minerals. Egg product is further processed and contains dried yolks, whites, and shells. Eggs can be a healthy additive to a dog’s diet but are also a common protein allergen so if you have an allergy sufferer, this is an ingredient to look out for.
Pea Protein
Pea protein remains after the starchy portion of the pea has been removed. While it is high in protein, it does have a lower biological value than meat but will boost the protein content on the dog food label.
Animal/Poultry Fat
Generic, unspecified animal fats are typically derived from low-quality, rendered sources, including dead, dying, or diseased farm animals, out-of-date grocery meats, or even roadkill. This may not always be the case, but we certainly prefer to see specified animal fat sources rather than “animal fat” or “poultry fat.” Chicken fat, beef fat, fish oil, and salmon oil are much healthier, quality sources of fat in dog foods.
Dried Plain Beet Pulp
Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient that is very high in fiber and is the by-product of sugar beet processing. Some studies show beet pulp decreases the taurine status2 in dogs fed lower-protein diets, which is concerning.
Natural Flavor
Natural flavors are used to enhance aroma and flavor but aren’t as natural as we wish they were. To be considered a “natural flavor” per the FDA, the origin must be natural, but it can go through many processes following that natural derivation. Natural flavors are some that are seen in a lot of dog foods and are typically heavily processed, containing up to 90 percent chemical additives3.
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione (vitamin K3) is a very controversial form of vitamin K that some experts consider a necessary additive and others strongly reject. Vitamins K1 and K2 are considered natural and fat-soluble and can be utilized by the body as they are, but K3 is synthetic and must go through an entirely different cellular process.
Can I Get Member’s Mark Dog Food Without a Sam’s Club Membership?
No, you will not be able to purchase Member’s Mark dog food unless you have a Sam’s Club membership. Since Sam’s Club is a membership-only retail warehouse, you will first need to purchase a membership to buy anything within the store.
A lot of consumers certainly benefit from the cost-saving related to having a Sam’s Club membership, so if you are interested, it is worth going and visiting a local Sam’s Club to see if a membership would be the right choice for you. There are different levels of membership available at varying yearly prices.
Can Member’s Mark Dog Food Be Bought Online?
Yes, Member’s Mark dog food can be purchased on the Sam’s Club website. You will need to create an online account and enter all your membership information to get started. This is a convenient way for shoppers to avoid having to drive to the store and lug around these heavy bags and have them shipped directly to their homes instead.
Is Member’s Mark Dog Food Affordable?
One of the main reasons that Member’s Mark is such a popular brand is its affordability. Like most other Member’s Mark products, the dog food is very affordable and could fit into most budgets. They also come in larger bag sizes, which is helpful.
Does Member’s Mark Dog Food Include the AAFCO Nutrient Profile?
Each recipe from Member’s Mark does include the AAFCO Nutrient Profile. All recipes meet the AAFCO Nutrient Profile for Maintenance except for the Member’s Mark Exceed Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy food, which is crafted to meet the AAFCO Nutrient Profile for All Life Stages.
A Quick Look at Member’s Mark Dog Food
- Affordable
- Rich in protein
- No added artificial preservatives
- No added fillers
- No artificial colors
- Natural source of fiber
- No meat by-products
- All recipes formulated to meet AAFCO standards for either Maintenance or All Life Stages
- No chelated minerals
- Uses unspecified animal fats
- Contains some controversial ingredients
- No specification regarding manufacturing practices
Recall History
Member’s Mark was subject to a recall issued by Sam’s Club in 2021 due to the potential that a product may contain foreign material, which was metal. This recall was limited to their Member’s Mark Beef Stick Dog Treats with UPC 19396-80473 (193968047313).
While there were no other reports we could find regarding dog food recalls for Member’s Mark dog foods, because Sam’s Club is not transparent about their dog food manufacturing it is difficult to say for certain whether there have been others related to a third-party manufacturer.
Reviews of the 3 Best Member’s Mark Dog Food Recipes
1. Member’s Mark Lamb & Rice Recipe
| Main ingredients: | Lamb, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Ground Barley, Grain Sorghum |
| Protein content: | 26% min |
| Fat content: | 14% min |
| Calories: | 321 kcal ME/cup |
Real lamb is the first ingredient in the Member’s Mark Lamb & Rice recipe. This food does not contain any corn or meat by-products and is free of fillers and artificial preservatives. This food is a great source of protein, and the included grains are a great source of fiber.
This recipe does contain dried egg products, which may not work for dogs that suffer from an egg allergy. The fat included in the recipe is unspecified poultry fat, which we do prefer animal-specific fat sources. It also includes natural flavor, dried plain beet pulp, and Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, which are all controversial ingredients.
Overall, in comparison to other foods within the price range, this food is of good quality. If you ever have concerns about certain ingredients, reach out to your veterinarian to ask any questions.
- Affordable
- Real lamb is the first ingredient
- Great source of protein and fiber
- No meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives
- Contains controversial ingredients
- Uses unspecified poultry fat
2. Member’s Mark Chicken & Rice Recipe
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Ground Barley, Grain Sorghum |
| Protein content: | 28% min |
| Fat content: | 14% min |
| Calories: | 321 kcal ME/cup |
Real chicken and chicken meal are the top two ingredients in the Member’s Mark Chicken & Rice Recipe. This food is an excellent source of protein and essential amino acids. Like the Exceed Lamb & Rice, this food does not contain any corn or meat by-products and is also free of fillers and artificial preservatives.
It features a healthy blend of grains for a healthy dose of fiber. The included dried egg product may not be ideal for dogs with a known egg allergy but is a healthy source of protein and fat. This recipe also includes unspecified poultry fat, and we would much rather see specific animal fat sources.
There is natural flavor, dried plain beet pulp, and Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, which we discussed above as being controversial among experts. Aside from the controversial ingredients, this food is of good quality and is very affordable. Any ingredient concerned should be discussed directly with your dog’s veterinarian.
- Chicken and chicken meal are the first two ingredients
- Healthy source of protein and fiber
- No meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives
- Affordable
- Contains controversial ingredients
- Uses unspecified poultry fat
3. Member’s Mark Grain-Free Wild-Caught Salmon & Pea
| Main ingredients: | Salmon, Chickpeas, Menhaden Fish Meal, Dried Potatoes, Animal Fat |
| Protein content: | 27% min |
| Fat content: | 15% min |
| Calories: | 354 kcal ME/cup |
Another popular recipe is Member’s Mark Grain-Free Wild-Caught Salmon & Pea. This is a grain-free option for owners that tend to steer clear of grain-inclusive diets. This blood sugar levels features real salmon as the first ingredient, which is a healthy source of protein and omega fatty acids but may cause some gas at first.
It is made without any corn, soy, wheat, and by-products and is free from artificial colors and preservatives. The animal fat listed in the ingredient content is not a preferred fat source, as we recommend species-specific fat sources rather than those that are unspecified.
This recipe includes chickpeas, dried potatoes, and dried peas in place of the typical grains. While these are nutrient-dense ingredients, there is a current investigation being completed by the FDA regarding grain-free diets and a potential link to canine dilated cardiomyopathy, so it’s best to check with your veterinarian to ensure your dog can benefit from a grain-free diet.
This recipe is well-reviewed, especially among those with dogs that suffer from your typical food allergies. There are the same controversial ingredients found in the other recipes but overall, this is very affordable and good quality food. Again, any ingredient concerns are best discussed directly with your veterinary professional.
- Real salmon is the first ingredient
- Health source of protein and omega fatty acids
- Great for allergy sufferers
- No artificial colors, preservatives, or by-products
- Contains controversial ingredients
- Contains unspecified animal fat
- Salmon may cause gas
What Other Users Are Saying
Since Member’s Mark foods are only sold at Sam’s Club, their website is the only source of customer reviews available. While we like to look into reviews from third party sellers, such as Amazon, to get more well-rounded consumer reviews, we looked at what customers had to say about these foods quoted directly from Sam’s Club site.
The Good:
Member’s Mark Lamb & Rice Recipe
- “Very healthy for our 3 dogs. Brought the ingredient list into our vet to review and he agreed. The furbabies live this brand and flavor.”
- “My dogs love this food. I have 4 dogs all within their proper weight range and healthy. 2 dogs over 50lns and 2 under 25lbs. All do great on this food”
Member’s Mark Chicken & Rice Recipe
- “I used to spend way more at pet stores for my pet’s food until I found and researched this brand and have been using it now for a few years.”
- My dogs really love this dry food. They’ve put on needed weight & muscle tone. Their energy level is up too. In a good way. I’ve got small dogs & a pitbull.
Member’s Mark Grain-Free Wild-Caught Salmon & Pea
- “My dog has allergies, so we have to feed her a salmon diet. We have tried many different foods for her, from high end brands to low end. She really enjoys this one the best. She does not itch or create hot spots after eating this food. For the price, you cannot beat this food!”
- “My dogs absolutely love this food. We tried almost everything in the market that was salmon because one of our dogs is allergic to everything but salmon.”
Member’s Mark Grain-Free High Protein Chicken & Vegetable Recipe Dry Dog Food
- “Dogs like it so much they’ll eat it dry!”
- “Great price and protein content for grain free dog food.”
Member’s Mark Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Food
- “Good quality and a great value.”
- “Good Ingredients and puppy’s love it”
The Bad:
Member’s Mark Lamb & Rice Recipe
- “My dogs don’t like it.”
Member’s Mark Chicken & Rice Recipe
- “My dog gets really loose stool everytime he eats this. “
- “My two dogs do not like this at all. They say, “Where’s the beef?”
Member’s Mark Grain-Free Wild-Caught Salmon & Pea
- “Something was changed about this dog food within the past few months. I’ve noticed that the pellets have gotten larger and my dog has been itching and having skin issues since. I assume the recipe may have been tweaked. It’s not what it used to be”
- “This food smells like a fishing dock, and my dog would not go anywhere near it. I had mixed some of his soft food into the dry food so he’d eat some… he threw it all up. Brown liquid everywhere. He also had diarrhea for almost three days. Returned it immediately.”
Member’s Mark Grain-Free High Protein Chicken & Vegetable Recipe Dry Dog Food
- “My dogs all of sudden won’t eat it. They use to eat it up & they barely picking at it after 3 days & I can’t figure it out.”
- “My dogs did really well on this food for over a year. Great price for the quality. Lately it is always out of stock though!”
Member’s Mark Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Food
- “My puppy refuses to eat this.”
- “This is not Orijen quality or anything, but this is good quality that any basic dog owner should aim for minimally.”
Conclusion
Member’s Mark is a Sam’s Club brand that sells an assortment of products ranging from food to household goods, electronics, pet foods, and more. The Member’s Mark dog food certainly gives you a good bang for your buck since it is of decent quality and affordable.
They do not offer a lot in terms of variety, though you could find a recipe of theirs that would work for most dogs. There are some controversial ingredients in their recipes that you may want to bring up to your veterinarian. Overall, this is not a super-premium dog food, but when comparing price and quality of competitors in the similar price bracket, Member’s Mark does very well.
See Also:
Featured Image Credit: Amazon
