Ofrenda for pets · Oct 27 – Nov 2
How to make an ofrenda for your pet
A pet ofrenda is a small altar that welcomes a pet who has died during the Day of the Dead for pets. Set it up by October 27 — the day pets are said to return — with their photo, fresh water, a favorite treat or toy, marigolds and a candle, and keep it up until November 2.
Updated
What to put on a pet ofrenda
You do not need everything on this list. A photo, water and one candle make a complete altar. Add what feels like your pet.
- The heart of the ofrenda. It tells your pet which altar is theirs. Any photo works — the one that looks most like them.
- The journey home is long. Water is the first thing set out for every visiting soul, and for a pet their own bowl says it best.
- A few kibbles, a biscuit, the treat they begged for. Tradition says the spirits enjoy the essence and aroma.
- Something they carried, wore or chewed. Familiar objects and smells help them recognize home.
- The bright orange flower of the dead. Its color and strong scent are believed to guide souls to the altar.
- Light to find the way. Use an LED candle if living pets or children share the room.
- Cut-paper banners in bright colors. They represent wind and the joy of the celebration.
- A small dish of salt is a traditional symbol of purification on many ofrendas.
- Copal resin smoke is used to purify the space. Skip it if you have birds or pets with breathing problems.
- A place to rest after the journey. Many people lay it under or beside the altar.
- Write their name, dates or a few words to them. Some people write a letter and read it aloud.
- A Xoloitzcuintli figurine or an alebrije animal adds a guide for the journey.
How to set up a pet altar, step by step
Choose the spot
A shelf, side table, windowsill or the corner of the family ofrenda. Pick somewhere you will see every day, out of reach of curious paws.
Lay a cloth
A tablecloth, a colorful scarf or their blanket. Many altars have two or three levels made with boxes under the cloth; one level is fine.
Place the photo at the top or center
Prop it up or frame it. If you have several pets who have died, they can share one altar.
Add water and food
Their own bowl with fresh water, and a small portion of a favorite treat. Refresh the water each day.
Add their things
Collar, tag, toy, a tuft of fur you kept, their paw print. These are what make the altar unmistakably theirs.
Decorate with marigolds and papel picado
Fresh cempasúchil, paper flowers or petals scattered around the photo. Hang papel picado above if you have it.
Make a marigold path
Pull petals from a few flowers and scatter a line from your front door (or the room’s doorway) to the altar. It is the road home.
Light the candle and say their name
On the evening of October 26 or 27. Tell a story about them, out loud or in your head. That is the moment the ofrenda is complete.
When to set up and take down a pet ofrenda
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| By Oct 26 (evening) | Altar set up, photo in place, flowers fresh |
| Oct 27 | Pets arrive. Fresh water and treat, light the candle |
| Oct 28 – Nov 1 | Refresh water daily; replace wilted flowers |
| Nov 2 | Last day of the celebration |
| Nov 3 or after | Take the altar down; share, compost or discard the offerings |
Some families only add the pet to the main family ofrenda from October 31 to November 2. Both ways are common.
Keeping living pets safe around the ofrenda
If you have other animals at home, they will be interested in the altar. A few things to watch:
- Candles. Wagging tails and curious cats knock candles over. Use LED candles, or keep real flames high, stable and supervised.
- Marigolds. Tagetes marigolds can irritate skin and upset the stomach of dogs and cats if chewed. Place them out of reach.
- Lilies. Do not add lilies if you have a cat. All parts are highly toxic to cats, even the pollen.
- Human food. Keep chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, alcohol, and anything with xylitol (sugar-free candy, some breads) off a reachable altar.
- Sugar skulls and pan de muerto. Sugar, dyes and decorations are not pet food. Display them high up.
- Salt and incense. Large amounts of salt are harmful to pets; incense and copal smoke can bother birds and pets with asthma.
- Old offerings. Do not feed living pets food that has sat on the altar for days.
If you think your pet has eaten something toxic, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435, US; a fee may apply).
Ofrenda ideas for dogs and cats
For a dog
Their leash coiled next to the photo, a tennis ball, a biscuit, and a little marigold path from the door they always waited at. Dog ofrenda guide →
For a cat
A favorite feather toy, a small dish of their food, the windowsill they claimed, and — instead of lilies — marigolds or paper flowers. Cat ofrenda guide →
Small spaces
A single photo, a tealight-sized LED candle and three marigolds on a bookshelf. Small is beautiful.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put my pet on the family ofrenda?
Yes. Many families add their pet’s photo to the main altar alongside grandparents and other loved ones. Others make a separate small altar for October 27. Both are common.
Do I need real marigolds?
No. Paper or silk marigolds, orange tissue-paper flowers, or a printed picture all work, and they are safer around living pets.
What food do you put on a pet ofrenda?
Your pet’s own favorite: their kibble, a dog biscuit, a bit of cooked chicken, their usual cat treats. Avoid putting out human foods that are toxic to animals if other pets can reach the altar.
How do I make a pet ofrenda if I don’t have a photo printed?
Put a phone or tablet on the altar showing their photo, or use a pet ofrenda video playing on loop.
Is it disrespectful to make an ofrenda if I am not Mexican?
Most people welcome it when done sincerely. Learn what the elements mean, keep it about remembering your pet, and avoid mixing it with Halloween decorations.
What do I do with the ofrenda afterwards?
After November 2, families often share the food (human food only), compost the flowers and keep the photo and keepsakes for next year.