Day of the Dead for Pets: How to Create a Beautiful Altar for Your Dog (and Other Furry and Non-Furry Friends)

Wondering how to create a Day of the Dead altar for your dog, cat, or any other animal that you shared a part of your life with? Read on!

Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a beautiful Mexican tradition rooted in love, remembrance, and the celebration of life.

Families gather to honor those who have passed, creating colorful altars filled with food, flowers, candles, and cherished items that invite the spirits of loved ones back for a joyful visit. While the holiday is most often associated with honoring human family members, more and more people are extending this tradition to include their pets—because our dogs, cats, and other animal companions are just as much a part of our families as anyone else.

As someone who is Mexican, I want to share this idea from a place of respect and authenticity. I don’t see making an altar for a beloved pet as cultural appropriation, but rather as a heartfelt way to embrace the true spirit of Día de Muertos: honoring those we love and keeping their memory alive.

Whether you believe in an afterlife (in this case, we call it “Mictlan”) or not, putting an altar for a pet can be a deeply healing practice, one that allows us to celebrate their unique spirit, remember the joy they brought into our lives, and continue feeling connected to them even after they’ve crossed the rainbow bridge.

In this post, I’ll guide you through the steps of creating your own Día de Muertos altar for pets, be it for dogs, cats, or any other companion animal you shared part of your life with, so that you can celebrate their memory with love, respect, and creativity.

When Is Day of the Dead for Pets Celebrated?

In Mexico, Día de Muertos is traditionally observed on November 1st and 2nd. November 1st, known as Día de los Inocentes or Día de los Angelitos, is dedicated to remembering children who have passed away, while November 2nd is Día de los Difuntos, honoring adults.

In recent years, many families have also chosen to dedicate October 27th specifically to their pets and animal companions.

On this day, people create small altars or add a special space on their family ofrenda with photos, toys, and offerings that reflect their pet’s life. The idea is that, just like human loved ones, pets can return to visit their families during this sacred time.

While October 27th has become the most recognized date for honoring pets, you can choose to celebrate your animal companion whenever it feels meaningful, whether that’s on the traditional dates of November 1st and 2nd, or by setting aside a personal day of remembrance. What matters most is creating a moment of love and connection that honors the bond you shared.

My recommendation is to set up your Day of the Dead altar on October 27th and leave it there for several days, this way, your pet can linger around a bit longer! 🙂

Why Create a Day of the Dead Altar for Pets?

For many of us, pets are more than just animals – they are family. They comfort us when we’re sad, celebrate with us when we’re happy, and fill our everyday lives with unconditional love.

When they pass away, the grief can feel just as deep as losing any other loved one. Creating an altar for your pet during Día de Muertos is a way to honor that bond and keep their memory alive.

An altar, or ofrenda, serves as both a tribute and a bridge. It allows you to celebrate your pet’s unique personality – their favorite toy, the treats they loved, or even the funny quirks that made them special. At the same time, it offers a space for healing.

This practice also reflects the heart of Día de Muertos: remembrance with love and celebration, not sorrow. Instead of focusing only on the loss, an altar encourages you to celebrate the life your pet lived and the happiness they shared with you. It’s a way of saying, “You are gone, but you are not forgotten.”

Let’s get to how to create a Day of the Dead altar for your pet!

Choosing a Space for Your Pet’s Altar

First things first… where should you even place your Day of the Dead altar for your pet? Truth is, there is no right answer; it’s a completely personal choice!

With that said, here are a few things to consider when choosing where to place your Day of the Dead altar for your pet(s).

• Start with a quiet, respectful area. A small table, a corner shelf, or even a windowsill can work beautifully.
• Consider safety. If you plan to use candles or incense, make sure the altar is away from flammable items and out of reach of children or other pets. Battery-operated candles are a safe alternative.
• Think about visibility. Some people prefer to keep the altar in a central area, like the living room, so the whole family can see and remember their pet. Others may choose a more private spot, like a bedroom or study, for quiet reflection.
• Create a sense of belonging. You can place the altar near your main family ofrenda to include your pet alongside other loved ones, or set up a dedicated space just for them.

Essential Items Needed on Your Pet’s Day of the Dead Altar

1. A photo of your pet – The centerpiece of any altar is a picture of the loved one being honored. Place a photo of your pet in a frame that reflects their personality. If you don’t have a photo, a drawing will do the trick!

2. Marigolds (Cempasúchil) – These bright orange and yellow flowers are said to guide spirits back home with their color and fragrance. You can use fresh marigolds, artificial flowers, or even garlands. Fresh marigolds may not be possible depending on where you live, but you can always use artificial ones like these ones.

3. Candles – Candles represent light, guiding spirits to the altar. Use one or several, depending on the size of your space. PS: If you have kids or other pets at home, use flameless LED candles like these.

4. Food offerings – I can pretty much guarantee eating was one of your pet’s favorite activities, so place their favorite treats all over the altar to ensure they enjoy their time in our world! Plus, they can now eat all the things they couldn’t before, so don’t be afraid to get generous 🙂

5. All their worldly items you still keep – Hey, leashes for dogs aren’t a thing in the underworld, but they’ll sure love coming back to remember all those walks with you! If you kept any items that remind you of them (collars, toys, beds, blankets, etc), these items will help make the altar deeply personal.

7. Papel Picado – Papel picado is a must on any Day of the Dead altar and your pets’ is no exception! I love these from Amazon (they’re colorful and will make the altar feel complete).

8. Sugar skulls– These are not a must, but they make the atlar feel more joyful and Day of the Dead-y! If you have other pets at home, you can opt to use these pet-shaped figurines instead.

9. A Glass of Water – Water is a must as it’s the most traditional offering on any Day of the Dead altar. It symbolizes purity and refreshment for the visiting spirit.

10. Salt: Traditionally placed in a small dish. Salt is another important element as it purifies and protects the spirits on their journey.

11. Personal Notes or Letters: Writing a letter to your pet, or placing a small journal of memories, can be a healing addition.

If I want to create a Day of the Dead altar for more than one pet, should I create one for each or can I combine them?

If you want to honor more than one pet, you can absolutely combine them on a single altar.

Many families include several loved ones on one ofrenda, so it’s natural to do the same for pets. A shared altar can be a beautiful way to celebrate the bond they all had with you, and even with each other. I always create a Dia de los Murtos altar for my four deceased dogs (even if they didn’t know each other!)

To make it personal, you place their photos side by side, give each pet a small section of the altar, or use different candles, flowers, or toys to represent them individually.

That said, there’s no rule that says you can’t create separate altars. If you feel each pet deserves their own dedicated space, even a small setup with a photo, candle, and flower can be just as meaningful.

Does Creating a Día de los Muertos Altar for My Pets Count as Cultural Appropriation?

As someone who is Mexican, I can honestly say: no, I don’t see it that way. I’ve never met anyone in Mexico who would consider making an altar for a beloved pet to be cultural appropriation.

On the contrary, we love our pets deeply here – almost every family has at least one dog, cat, or other animal companion, and honoring them as part of Día de los Muertos feels completely natural.

This tradition has always been about love, remembrance, and celebrating the lives of those who’ve passed on.

Pets are family, too, and including them in an altar is just another way of keeping their memory alive.

Personally, I love seeing that this tradition has spread worldwide, as long as it’s done with respect and understanding of its roots. Creating an altar for your pet isn’t about “taking” from the culture; it’s about embracing the heart of the holiday: remembering with joy, not sorrow.

Learning More About the History of Día de los Muertos

While creating an altar for your pet is a beautiful and personal way to honor them, it’s also important to remember that Día de los Muertos has deep cultural and historical roots.

The holiday dates back thousands of years to Indigenous traditions in Mesoamerica, where people believed that death was simply another stage of life. When Spanish colonization introduced Catholic practices, these ancient beliefs blended with All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, eventually becoming the Día de los Muertos we know today.

In Mexico, the celebration is vibrant and diverse, with each region bringing its own traditions. In Oaxaca, you’ll find elaborate sand tapestries and candlelit vigils in cemeteries.

In Michoacán, families decorate the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro with thousands of marigolds. In Mexico City, the Day of the Dead parade fills the streets with music, costumes, and floats inspired by La Catrina. Everywhere, the heart of the holiday is the same: remembering loved ones with joy, not sorrow.

If this tradition speaks to you, I encourage you to go beyond setting up an altar at home. Read about its origins, watch documentaries, or even plan a trip to Mexico one day to experience Día de los Muertos in its birthplace (Dia de Muertos in Oaxaca is a must!).