The dogs we love may only share part of our lives, but the memories they leave behind can last forever.
During Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, creating an ofrenda (an altar that features photographs and meaningful objects that honor the departed) offers a meaningful way to remember beloved pets who are no longer with us.
What's important to remember is that Día de los Muertos is NOT simply a Mexican version of Halloween; it is an ancient Mesoamerican and Mexican tradition rooted in honoring life and death.
While families traditionally honor deceased human relatives, some include deceased companion animals on their ofrendas or create separate memorial spaces for them.
In this guide, we'll talk about Día de los Muertos and dogs, and how pet owners can respectfully join in this celebration of life and death of our departed loved ones, including our pets.
RELATED: Grief Over Pet Loss: A Tragedy That Can Hurt More than Human Loss
October 27 as Día de los Muertos for Dogs
Día de los Muertos observances commonly take place around November 1 and November 2.
Families remember loved ones who have died through gatherings, cemetery visits, food, flowers, photographs, music, prayer, storytelling, and ofrendas.
But in recent years, people have started to recognize the deep impact and hollow space pets leave in their owners when they die. In 2019, October 27 became popularly associated with remembering deceased pets through a pet funeral service and an advertising campaign.
It is known as el Día de los Muertos de la Mascota, or the Day of the Dead for Pets.
While it is not a universally observed or historically standardized Día de los Muertos date across Mexico, the celebration caught on via social media in Latin America and later on in Hispanic communities in the United States.
What Is an Ofrenda?
Ofrenda, roughly translating to “offering,” is an altar that features several photographs and important items associated with the deceased.
This can include:
- Candles
- Marigolds (or cempasúchil, or “flower of the dead,” which is said to guide returning spirits to their family altars)
- Food and drinks
- Personal belongings
- Papel picado (the traditional Mexican decorative banner made from perforated tissue paper that symbolizes the element of air or wind)
- Religious or family symbols
Traditions aren't identical in every household, though. Each family can have its own ofrenda must-have that differs slightly from what's common.
Similarly, the pet ofrenda you're setting up can also reflect your family's unique relationship with your departed furry pal.
How to Make an Ofrenda for Your Dog
There isn't one mandatory formula for making an ofrenda; the goal is to create a thoughtful space filled with objects that help you remember your pet.
1. Choose a Special Place
Is there a special corner your departed dog frequented when they were living? That could be the perfect place to set up their ofrenda!
If there isn't one in particular, choose a safe, quiet location where you can place a small table or shelf. Preferably, choose a spot that other living pets (if any) can't easily knock over or eat from the display.
You can cover it with a mantel, a decorative cloth, or a colorful fabric. Don't use black because ofrendas are meant to be colorful and festive!
2. Add Your Dog's Favorite Photograph
Place your dog's photograph at the center to make it the ofrenda's focal point.
You could also add their puppy photo, a photo from your favorite adventure, and a picture of your dog doing something memorable.
There is no limit to how many photos you can add to the ofrenda, as long as they all fit.
You can also use decorative frames to make the ofrenda more lively and colorful.
Remember, Día de los Muertos is NOT a day to grieve what was lost but to celebrate the life of our departed loved ones!
3. Decorate With Marigolds
Cempasúchil, or Mexican marigolds, are strongly associated with Día de los Muertos.
This ceremonial Day of the Dead flower symbolizes the bright sun, life's brevity, and an enduring bridge between the living and the dead.
Its distinct smell is also believed to attract returning souls and lead them safely from their resting places back to their families.
For pet owners, you can use fresh marigolds or just the petals, but if you have curious pets around, artificial or paper decorations may be your best bet to reduce the chance they chew on floral arrangements.
RELATED: Flowers Toxic For Dogs: 10 Beautiful Plants That You Should Look Out For
4. Add Your Dog's Favorite Things
Personalize your pet's ofrenda with belongings that immediately bring your departed dog to mind.
It can include their:
- Collar
- ID tag
- Favorite toy
- Bandana
- Leash
- Blanket
- Dog bowl
- Paw-print keepsake
- Favorite ball
- Memorial urn, if appropriate
You don't need to fill the whole altar with everything they owned; just choose a few meaningful objects.
5. Include Food and Water
Traditional ofrendas commonly feature foods associated with the person being remembered. Food, fruits, and crops symbolize the earth.
For a dog, you can include this element by adding your dog's favorite treat, a small bowl of kibble, any favorite dog-safe human food, and most importantly, a fresh bowl of water. The water is believed to quench the spirit's thirst after a long journey.
Add these important things, but remember to keep your current pets safe!
If other dogs or cats can access the ofrenda, don't leave potentially dangerous foods or easily swallowed objects within reach.
Traditional Día de los Muertos foods intended for humans may contain chocolate, alcohol, raisins, xylitol, onions, garlic, or other ingredients that are dangerous for pets!
6. Add Candles Safely
Candles are commonly incorporated into Día de los Muertos displays, but open flames and curious pets are definitely not a good combo.
So instead of opting for the traditional candle, try flameless LED candles or battery-operated votives instead to add to your ofrenda.
If you want to use real candles, that's fine, as long as you don't leave them burning unattended and/or within your other pets' reach.
RELATED: 10 Pet-Friendly Fall Home Decor Safe for Dogs and Cats
7. Add Papel Picado and Personal Decorations
Adding colorful papel picado can visually connect your pet's memorial to Día de los Muertos.
Papel picado, or “perforated paper,” is a traditional Mexican folk art made by cutting intricate, decorative designs into colorful sheets of tissue paper, plastic, or fabric to form hanging banners.
They represent the element of air and the fragility of life, fluttering in the breeze to symbolize the return of ancestral spirits.
To make papel picado, you can check out the video below for easy reference!
To make them more personal to you and your pet, you may also add your dog's name, dates of birth and death, their paw prints (if you have them), or a written message!
8. Spend Time Remembering Your Dog
A pet ofrenda's meaning goes beyond its decorations.
It's a physical reminder of the life your pet lived with you and your family, so encourage everyone in the house to look through photographs, share funny stories, talk about their favorite memories, and celebrate what made your departed dog special.
If you have children, creating the memorial together can give you a chance to talk about their beloved pet and preserve happy memories instead of focusing on the grief!
RELATED: How To Help a Child Cope With Losing a Pet
Other Ways to Honor a Dog During Día de los Muertos
Of course, you can honor your dog's memories in other ways without building an altar or ofrenda.
You can do the following instead:
- Create a photo album.
- Make a memorial shadow box.
- Plant flowers in the dog's memory.
- Visit a favorite walking spot.
- Donate to an animal shelter in your dog's name.
- Share favorite photos and stories with family.
- Commission or create a pet portrait.
- Write down favorite memories of the dog.
FAQs about Día de los Muertos and Dogs
1. Can I celebrate Día de los Muertos even if I'm not Mexican?
Yes, non-Mexican people can respectfully celebrate Día de los Muertos, as long as you do so with genuine understanding and cultural respect!
Many Mexicans and cultural commentators note that the holiday is about remembering deceased loved ones rather than being an ethnicity-exclusive tradition, so foreigners are welcome to participate when they act with sincerity rather than treating it as a costume party.
Adopting the holiday purely as a trend or without knowing its roots can drift into cultural appropriation.
2. How long should an ofrenda stay up?
There is no single formula, because it depends on family tradition, but typically an ofrenda stays up from October 31 through November 2 for Día de los Muertos.
However, some families keep it up for a few days longer or maintain a permanent year-round altar.
3. What should you not put on an ofrenda?
You should not put photos of living people on an ofrenda, as tradition considers it bad luck or a sign of misfortune that symbolically draws the living toward the realm of the dead.
Before You Go… Remember the Dogs Who Never Left Your Heart!
Día de los Muertos offers a meaningful opportunity to celebrate memories rather than focusing solely on loss.
More importantly, understanding and respecting the cultural significance of Día de los Muertos while creating something personally meaningful matters more than checking off every decorative element.
Do you have any special ways you remember your pets who have passed? We'd love to read them in the comments!
You can also read more relevant articles below.
