When Do Pets Arrive and Leave on Día de Muertos?
Which day and time to set the ofrenda for pets, when to light their candle, when they leave and when to take the altar down, according to popular tradition in Mexico.
Every year at the end of October, many families in Mexico set out a small ofrenda for the dogs, cats and other animals who have passed. The same questions come up each time: do they arrive on the 26th or the 27th? When do you light the candle? When do they leave? When do you take the altar down?
There is no official rule. It is a popular custom that has spread widely in recent years, and every family lives it in its own way. Here is what most people do, so you can plan yours calmly.
At a glance
| Question | Most common answer |
|---|---|
| Which day do pets arrive? | October 27 |
| When do you set the ofrenda? | The night of the 26th or the morning of the 27th |
| When do you light the candle? | When you set the ofrenda, so it burns on the 27th |
| When do they leave? | At the end of the 27th; some families let them stay until November 2 |
| When do you take the altar down? | October 28, or with the family ofrenda on November 3 |
Do pets arrive on the 26th or the 27th?
By popular belief, October 27 is the day of the pets: the day their souls come home, a few days before the people. That is why it is also called the day of departed pets.
The mix-up between the 26th and the 27th comes from the fact that many families set the ofrenda on the night of the 26th, so everything is ready when the 27th begins. Both are fine: what matters is that their place is ready on the 27th.
What time do pets arrive on October 27?
There is no fixed time. The most common belief is that they arrive during the day on the 27th, so many families like to have the ofrenda ready in the morning. If you work or cannot do it earlier, setting it out when you get home is fine too: there is no wrong way to remember them.
When do you light the candle for pets?
Light the candle when you set the ofrenda, on the night of the 26th or the morning of the 27th. Its light guides them back home.
- If it will burn for a long time, use a candle in a glass jar, away from curtains and from the pets still living with you.
- If you leave the house, blow it out and light it again when you return. An electric candle works too.
When do pets leave?
This is where customs differ most:
- At the end of the 27th. This is the most repeated belief: their visit lasts one day, and they leave that night or early on the 28th.
- On November 2. Other families believe pets stay and keep the other departed company through all the days of the dead, and they all go back together on November 2.
Neither is more correct. Choose the one that makes you feel closest to your companion.
When do you take down the pet altar?
It depends on when you believe they leave:
- If their visit lasts one day, you can take the altar down on October 28.
- If they stay until the end, take it down with the family ofrenda, from November 3.
When they take it down, many families do not throw the food away: the souls are said to have taken its essence already. It can be shared or buried in the garden or a flower pot. The photo and the toy are kept for next year.
The calendar of the days of the dead
The pets' visit opens a series of dates that, by popular tradition, are dedicated to different departed souls. It varies by region, but it is usually told like this:
| Date | Who is remembered |
|---|---|
| October 27 | Pets |
| October 28 | Those who died in an accident or suddenly |
| October 29 and 30 | Those who drowned, and forgotten or lonely souls |
| October 31 | Babies who were not born or baptized |
| November 1 | Children, the "angelitos" |
| November 2 | Adults |
What to put on their ofrenda
You do not need a large altar. A few things, set out with love, are enough:
- Their photo, to remember them just as they were.
- A candle to light their way.
- Cempasúchil marigolds: their color and scent mark the way home.
- Water, so they can rest after the journey.
- Their favorite food: kibble, treats or whatever they loved most.
- Their toy, collar or blanket.
Our pet ofrenda guide explains what each item means and how to set it up step by step.
Another way to remember them this year
If you would like to see them again, even for a few seconds, you can make a video from a single photo of your pet: crossing a marigold bridge, coming to life on your ofrenda, or back in their favorite spot at home, with their name written in the video. It is ready in 2–5 minutes, and you can play it next to their photo on the altar.