Your furry companion is scratching at the door, itching for a walk as the snow blankets your neighborhood.

You step outside into bitter cold temperatures and shiver. Then wonder – is it safe to walk my dog in New York’s bone-chilling wintry weather?

Spending time in severe cold can pose serious health risks to pets, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“Exposure to winter’s dry, cold air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin, but these aren’t the only discomforts pets can suffer,” according to the ASPCA website. “Winter walks can become downright dangerous if chemicals from ice-melting agents are licked off of bare paws.”

Here’s more on how to handle walking outdoors with your dogs in wintry weather:

How cold is too cold to walk your dog outdoors?

If the temperature feels too cold for you, its also too cold for your pet, the ASPCA says.

While sensitivity to cold can vary by factors like a dog’s health, age, size, coat thickness and more, the ASPCA warns that no dog should be left outdoors in below-freezing temperatures.

Dogs with thicker coats tend to be more resistant to cold, while dogs with thin coats are more susceptible to those same temperatures, according to PetMD. Puppies, sick dogs and older dogs face a greater risk in the cold, as it’s more difficult for them to regulate their body temperature.

What health risks do pets face amid severe cold?

Similar to humans, cats and dogs face the risk of frostbite and hypothermia if exposed to extreme cold for prolonged periods, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. So it is important to shorten walks during cold spells and to avoid leaving pets unattended outdoors for prolonged time periods.

What are signs it’s too cold out for your pet?

Experts with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine outlined symptoms that suggest your pet may be experiencing dangerously cold weather, including:

• Hunched posture or tail tucking

• Lifting one or more paws off the ground

What if your dog won’t go outdoors in the cold?

While it’s important to avoid leaving your pet unattended outdoors, dogs may still need to head outside to relieve themselves. The needed option, however, should be limited to just several minutes outside.

How can you protect your pet from the cold?

Here are some tips from the ASPCA and AVMA to keep your pets safe during severe winter cold:

• Keep pets indoors. If pets must go outdoors, avoid prolonged exposure.

• Dress dogs in a sweater or a coat.

• Towel-dry your pets when they come indoors, and wash and dry their paws.

• Keep antifreeze and deicers away from pets.

• Feed your pets well, consider a little extra.

Includes reporting by USA Today Network.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Is your dog safe outside? What temperature is too cold to walk them