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Herbsmith Glimmer™ Skin and Coat Supplement for Dogs

$27.59

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Herbsmith Glimmer Skin and Coat Supplement for Dogs 60 Small Chews Package Front

Herbsmith Glimmer™ Skin and Coat Supplement for Dogs

Dry, flaky skin, dull coats, and constant itching are not always solved by adding more fish oil. Glimmer supports skin health from the inside out with balanced omega fatty acids and TCVM herbs that help hydrate the skin, strengthen the barrier, and support lasting comfort. An easy daily addition for dogs of any age. Soft chew format.

Why Fish Oil Alone Is Often Not Enough

Fish oil supplies EPA and DHA, but healthy skin depends on the right balance of omega fatty acids - not just volume. When dry skin, dandruff, or a dull coat keep returning despite fish oil, the issue is usually poor skin barrier integrity rather than a simple lack of fat. The skin barrier is a layered structure maintained by specific fatty acids, ceramides, and cellular turnover - and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), an omega-6 not present in fish oil, plays a critical role in barrier repair and moisture retention that EPA and DHA alone cannot address. Glimmer adds GLA from borage oil and evening primrose oil alongside clean omega-3 sources and TCVM herbs that support how the body processes and utilizes those fats - making it a more complete daily foundation than any fish oil supplement alone.

When to Use Glimmer

  • Daily omega support: Provides essential fatty acids dogs cannot synthesize on their own - EPA, DHA, and GLA - for ongoing skin and coat maintenance.
  • Dry, flaky, or dandruff-prone skin: Helps restore moisture balance from the inside by supporting the skin's lipid barrier and water-retaining capacity.
  • Dull or brittle coat: Supports coat quality as a downstream result of improved skin integrity - a healthy coat starts with healthy skin.
  • Itchy or allergy-prone dogs: Pairs especially well with Clear AllerQi and Milk Thistle for seasonal allergy skin support. The omega and herbal layers address the inflammatory and barrier components simultaneously.
  • Dogs of all ages: Gentle enough for young dogs, foundational for seniors whose skin turnover and barrier function naturally decline with age.

Active Ingredients and Their Actions

  • Anchovy Oil (omega-3 source - EPA and DHA): A clean, low-oxidation source of EPA and DHA. EPA modulates the inflammatory cascade in skin tissue via competitive inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids that drive itching and skin inflammation. DHA supports cellular membrane integrity throughout the skin layers. Anchovy oil is preferred over large-fish oils for its lower oxidation risk and better heavy metal profile.
  • DHA Gold (algae-derived DHA): A plant-based, algae-derived DHA source that provides additional DHA without adding further fish-derived lipids. Algae-sourced DHA has a stable oxidation profile and provides the original marine DHA source - fish accumulate DHA by eating algae. Provides EPA-independent DHA support for membrane structure and anti-inflammatory activity.
  • Krill Oil (omega-3 source - EPA, DHA, and phospholipid-bound fatty acids): Provides EPA and DHA in phospholipid form, which has superior bioavailability compared to the triglyceride form in most fish oils. Also provides astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant that protects the omega-3 fatty acids from oxidation and provides additional anti-inflammatory activity in skin tissue. Shellfish-derived - see cautions.
  • Borage Oil (GLA source): One of the richest plant sources of GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), containing approximately 20-24% GLA. GLA is converted to DGLA, which is the direct precursor to anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGE1) and competes with arachidonic acid in the inflammatory cascade. GLA also plays a direct structural role in maintaining the skin's lipid barrier; deficiency leads to increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), the primary mechanism behind dry and flaky skin.
  • Evening Primrose Oil (GLA source): A second GLA source providing approximately 8-10% GLA, complementing borage oil's GLA delivery. Evening primrose oil has documented efficacy in atopic dermatitis research in both human and veterinary medicine. The combination of borage and evening primrose oils provides a more complete GLA profile than either source alone.
  • Hei Zhi Ma (Black Sesame Seed - Sesamum indicum): A classical TCVM herb that nourishes Kidney Yin and Liver Blood, two of the most important systems governing hair, coat, and skin health in TCVM. In Chinese medicine, the Kidney controls the bones and the luster of the coat; when Kidney Yin and Liver Blood are sufficient, the coat is glossy, the skin is moisturized, and hair loss is minimal. Black sesame is one of the primary classical herbs for Kidney/Liver deficiency presenting as hair loss, dry skin, and coat deterioration. Sesamin and sesamolin lignan constituents have additional documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
  • He Shou Wu (Polygonum - Polygonum multiflorum): One of the most important TCVM herbs for Kidney and Liver Yin deficiency with coat and hair involvement. He Shou Wu tonifies Kidney Yin and Liver Blood, secures Jing (essence), and is classically used for premature greying, coat thinning, and dull or brittle coat from deficiency. Stilbene glycoside (TSG) and emodin constituents have documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential hair-growth-supportive activity via modulation of the Wnt/beta-catenin hair follicle signaling pathway. Note: He Shou Wu should be used at appropriate dosages as directed.

How to Feed

Give chews directly or add to the bowl at every meal. Can also be rolled in cheese, a meatball, or dipped in coconut oil. Give with food to reduce the chance of gastrointestinal upset. Packaged by weight; count is approximate.

Skin cell turnover takes approximately 6-8 weeks, which means lasting changes take time. Consistency matters - skipping days interrupts the rebuilding process and slows results.

  • Weeks 2-4: Less flaking, less irritation
  • Weeks 6-8: Improved skin hydration and comfort
  • 8+ weeks: Softer coat, better shine, fewer recurring issues

Directions for Use

Small Chews - Dogs:

  • Under 10 lbs: 1 chew daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • 10-19 lbs: 2 chews daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • 20-29 lbs: 3 chews daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • 30-59 lbs: 4 chews daily, or as directed by your veterinarian

Large Chews - Dogs:

  • Under 30 lbs: 1 chew daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • 30-59 lbs: 2 chews daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • 60-99 lbs: 3 chews daily, or as directed by your veterinarian
  • Over 100 lbs: 4 chews daily, or as directed by your veterinarian

For dog use only. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep out of reach of children and animals.

Cautions

Safe use in pregnant animals or animals intended for breeding has not been proven. Consult your veterinarian before using this product in animals with clotting disorders; being treated with anticoagulant medications or NSAIDs; diabetes or any metabolic disorder causing hyperglycemia; known allergies to shellfish (krill oil is shellfish-derived); or a history of seizures. Use caution in animals with diarrhea. Administer during or after the animal has eaten to reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal upset. Not for use within 48 hours of surgery or anesthesia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Glimmer different from fish oil?

Fish oil provides EPA and DHA from a single source. Glimmer provides EPA and DHA from three complementary sources (anchovy oil, DHA Gold, and krill oil) plus GLA from borage and evening primrose oils - an omega-6 fatty acid that fish oil does not contain and that plays a direct role in skin barrier repair and moisture retention. Glimmer also adds TCVM herbs (He Shou Wu and Black Sesame Seed) that support the Kidney and Liver Blood systems governing coat and skin health in Chinese medicine. The combination addresses skin health at multiple levels simultaneously, or as directed by your veterinarian.

When do skin issues need more than omegas?

Glimmer supports skin integrity and the fatty acid foundation of skin health - but not every skin issue starts at the skin barrier alone. Dogs with hot spots or acute inflammation may benefit from short-term herbal support like Comfort Aches. Dogs with food-driven itch or chronic ear issues may need a dietary evaluation first. Dogs with GI-linked skin flare-ups - loose stool, gas, or gut-associated skin reactions - benefit from gut support like GastroCare or Microflora alongside Glimmer. For seasonal allergy-driven itch, pairing Glimmer with Clear AllerQi and Milk Thistle addresses both the immune-mediated and barrier components of allergic skin disease, or as directed by your veterinarian.

How long before I see results?

Because skin cell turnover takes approximately 6-8 weeks, lasting improvement follows that same timeline. Most pet parents notice less flaking and irritation within 2-4 weeks, with improved skin hydration and comfort at 6-8 weeks and full coat improvement at 8 or more weeks of consistent daily use. Skipping days slows the process - daily consistency is what produces durable results, or as directed by your veterinarian.

Can Glimmer be used alongside allergy medications?

Use caution and consult your veterinarian before combining with NSAIDs or anticoagulant medications, as omega fatty acids can affect platelet function and inflammatory pathways that interact with these drugs. For dogs on Apoquel, Cytopoint, or antihistamines, Glimmer is generally compatible, but confirm with your veterinarian based on your dog's full health picture, or as directed by your veterinarian.

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