BUFFALO, N.Y. — As temperatures continue to drop, it becomes more and more dangerous for four-legged friends to spend time outdoors.

"If you have a thick, shaggy coat and you're a Newfoundland, you can stay out all night and be fine. If we're talking about a Miniature Pincher, babies, just three or four minutes can be too long," said West Side Pet Clinic Veterinarian Dr. Reed Stevens. 

Like humans, dogs and cats can get frostbite, so it's important to keep an eye on pets when letting them outside.

"We're worried about ear tips, tail tips, toes. The good news is the dogs will tell you, they'll hold their feet up, they'll whimper so you have to pay attention," said Stevens. 

One way to check if a pet has been outside too long is to see if paw pads have become discolored.

"Just like people, you should warm up everything slowly, don't put them in hot water, warm water, bring them in a warm house and let them recover," said Stevens. 

Experts say even if pets are out for just a few minutes, it's important to wipe their paws, especially if you use salt or anti-freeze on sidewalks or steps.

"Salt can cause vomiting, so if they're licking their pads after they come in, that can cause a problem," said Stevens. 

"Not only salt can get encrusted in there, but ice, and if that ends up cutting the pad of the paw, it can become infected very rapidly," said SPCA Spokesperson Gina Browning. 

While there is no law forbidding dogs from living outside, an appropriate shelter is required. Anyone who sees a dog in their neighborhood outside for too long can call the SPCA.

"If we get on that property and the shelter is not in alignment with what the law requires, not what we think is right, but what the law requires, we can remove that animal without any sign of suffering," said Browning. 

Experts also suggest having emergency pet hospital phone numbers on hand in case of an emergency and one’s regular vet is unavailable.