Keeping your pet cool during the summer - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

Pet owners can protect their pets from the season's dangers with these simple, low-cost remedies.  Whether you are staying at home or traveling, Petrendologist Charlotte Reed's tips can help you keep your pet cool, hydrated and safe.

1. Fashion insect repellent canine clothing
Due to low mild temperatures around the country, there has been an increase in the mosquito, tick and flea populations. As a added layer or protection for your dog, create insect repellent clothing. After boiling three cups of water, turn off heat, add 25 drops of eucalyptus/lemon oil (purchased at most health food stores) and a doggie T-shirt. Allow shirt to sit in pot for hour and hang dry. Once dry, have your dog wear his insect repellent apparel for 3-5 days before washing. Also, don't discard the solution, but pour in a spray bottle to freshen up the shirt as well as to apply to your pet's legs for additional protection before he leaves the house. Neither, mosquitos, ticks of fleas like the smell of eucalyptus or lemon oil and should not be attracted to your pet when he's wearing his bug-free apparel. (This recipes is not for cats; essential oils are harmful to cats.)

2. Create a cooling bed for Fido or Fifi
While your pet's bed may be comfy, it may be too warm to lie in during the summer months.  To keep him cool and comfortable, add an oversized, reusable gel pack to the inside of his pillow pet.  The bed will stay cool for hours on a hot day.

3. Frozen Treats
Feed your dog vegetables as a treat or add them to your pet's meal.  High fiber veggies such as green beans (23 calories in 1/2 cup) and broccoli (20 calories in 1/2 cup) are filling, and the crunch factor of frozen vegetables is satisfying for many dogs.

4. Cool down an overheated pet
On a very hot day, a pet's body temperature can surge past the normal range of 100.5 -102.5 F, causing heatstroke.  If you notice your dog or cat is panting rapidly, drooling or seems dizzy or lethargic, wipe his paws down with a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol.  The alcohol evaporates from the skin just as soon as you put it on him and helps lower his body temperature.  If you can't cool your pet down, call your vet immediately.

5. Wash a way the fleas
Turn your favorite dog shampoo into a flea shampoo by adding one tbs. of Neem oil to the bottle.  Neem oil (purchased at most heath food store) is a natural environmentally friendly insecticide that is toxic to fleas, ticks and other insects yet safe for dogs and humans.  It is also beneficial to the skin as it is an anti-fungal and antibacterial agent. 

To sign up for her newsletter, visit www.charlottereed.com.