Pets have long been a popular gift for kids at Christmas time.

However, while it may bring your child joy, many animal welfare groups recommend getting a pet after the holiday season when the house is more calm.

A local veterinarian says a dog or a cat isn’t necessarily a good gift idea, for many reasons.

Dr. Mohammed Siddiq from the Clarenville Vet Hospital says giving a pet as a gift is not something to take lightly.

He says an animal is not a toy—it’s a lifelong commitment. After the holiday season, the vet hospital ends up with a lot of cats or dogs as people can’t afford to take care of them, or an unforeseen and costly medical emergency may arise.

Dr. Siddiq also advises people to be careful about what food you leave out, or give to your pet during the holiday season.

As an example, he says raisins and chocolate are toxic to dogs, and can cause severe illness or death.