You’ve seen them everywhere. Those bright, painted skeletal figurines with neon wings and big, unblinking eyes. They’re usually labeled as an "alebrije" or just a day of the dead cat, and they’re definitely cute. But honestly? Most of the stuff you see in big-box stores or on generic party planning blogs misses the point entirely. It’s not just a spooky aesthetic for your living room. In Mexican culture, cats hold a very specific, slightly mysterious place in the Día de los Muertos tradition. They aren't just pets that died. They are spiritual heavy hitters.
If you’ve ever lost a cat, you know it’s different than losing a dog. Dogs are your shadow. Cats? They’re more like roommates who happen to know all your secrets and maybe some secrets of the universe, too. That vibe carries over into how they are honored during the first two days of November. People often think the holiday is just one big party for everyone who passed away, but it’s actually stratified. There is a specific rhythm to it.
Why the Michi Comes Back Early
October 27th. Mark that on your calendar because that is when the real magic starts for pet lovers. While the main festivities for humans happen on November 1st and 2nd, tradition suggests that the spirits of our pets—the "michis" (a common Mexican slang for cats)—arrive a few days early. They are the scouts. They come back to make sure the path is safe and to find the house they used to call home.
If you don't have your ofrenda (altar) ready by then, you're basically leaving your cat at the door without a key. It sounds a bit superstitious, but for many families in Central and Southern Mexico, this is lived reality. You don't just put up a photo and call it a day. You have to think about the journey. The Mictlán—the Aztec underworld—isn't a straight shot. It’s a grueling, nine-level trek.
Cats are thought to navigate this space with way more ease than humans. Some folklorists, like those who study the intersection of pre-Hispanic belief and modern Catholicism, argue that cats act as "liminal" beings. They exist between worlds. In many indigenous nahua beliefs, animals were essential guides. While the Xoloitzcuintli dog is the famous guide for souls crossing the river of the underworld, the day of the dead cat is often viewed as a guardian of the home’s energy, ensuring that no "bad" spirits hitch a ride back with the returning family members.
The Altar: More Than Just Marigolds
Building an altar for a cat isn't the same as building one for your Grandma. Sure, you need the cempasúchil (the bright orange Mexican marigolds). The scent is what guides the souls back. It’s like a GPS made of flowers. But for a cat, you need to get specific.
Think about what your cat actually liked. Did they have a favorite crinkle ball? A specific brand of tuna that made them scream at 6:00 AM? Put it on the altar. I’ve seen altars that have a small bowl of fresh water—essential for the thirsty soul after their long trip—and a handful of catnip. It’s a celebration, after all.
🔗 Read more: Marie Kondo The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: What Most People Get Wrong
- The Photo: This is the anchor. Without the image, the soul might not find its specific landing spot.
- Water and Salt: Water quenches thirst; salt is for purification so the body doesn't corrupt during the round trip.
- The Food: Don't use fake plastic food. The spirits "consume" the essence of the aroma. Use the real stuff.
- Copal Incense: This clears the air of negative energy.
I talked to a local artisan in Oaxaca last year who told me that the rise of cat-specific ofrendas is actually a relatively modern "blooming" of the tradition. Historically, pets were honored as part of the family, but the hyper-focus on a day of the dead cat as a standalone figure has grown as our relationship with pets has shifted. We see them as individuals now. We see them as souls.
Alebrijes vs. Calaveras: Don’t Get Them Mixed Up
This is a huge pet peeve for cultural historians. You see a colorful, winged cat statue and call it a Day of the Dead cat. Technically, that’s an alebrije. Here’s the kicker: alebrijes have absolutely nothing to do with the ancient Day of the Dead.
Pedro Linares, an artist from Mexico City, dreamt them up in the 1930s while he was delirious with a fever. He saw monstrous, chimera-like creatures. They became a staple of Mexican folk art, especially in Oaxaca. It wasn't until much later—and specifically fueled by movies like Pixar’s Coco—that the world started blending alebrijes with the Day of the Dead. Now, people treat them as "spirit guides."
Is it "wrong"? Not necessarily. Culture is a living thing. It breathes. It changes. If you want to put a winged, neon-painted cat on your altar to represent your deceased feline, go for it. Just know that you're participating in a beautiful, modern mashup of traditions rather than an ancient Aztec ritual. The actual skeletal cat figures you see—the calaveras—are more in line with the satirical art of José Guadalupe Posada. He used skeletons to show that in death, we are all the same. Rich, poor, human, or cat. We’re all just bones.
The Myth of the "Bad Luck" Black Cat
In the context of the day of the dead cat, the color of the cat doesn't carry the same "unlucky" baggage it does in Western Halloween traditions. In Mexico, a black cat returning on the Día de los Muertos is a blessing. It’s a protector. There is zero stigma about black cats in the Mictlán. In fact, dark-furred animals were often seen as more capable of blending into the shadows of the underworld to avoid detection by the "lords of death."
If you’re honoring a black cat, you might notice people adding extra white candles to the altar. This isn't to "fix" the black cat’s luck—it’s just to provide a high-contrast path. The visual of the holiday is all about vibrant life meeting the starkness of death.
💡 You might also like: Why Transparent Plus Size Models Are Changing How We Actually Shop
A Journey Through the Nine Levels
To understand why people take the day of the dead cat so seriously, you have to understand the Mictlán. It’s not "heaven" or "hell." It’s a destination. According to Aztec mythology, most people who die of natural causes go there.
It takes four years to get through it.
Four years of crossing mountains that clash together, dodging obsidian winds, and crossing deep rivers. Animals are the only reason anyone makes it. While the dog helps the soul swim across the first level (the Apanohuaya), cats are often seen in modern folklore as the ones who help the soul navigate the "obsidian wind" (Itzehecayan) because of their legendary balance and ability to see in the dark.
Modern Misconceptions and the "Aesthetic" Trap
The biggest mistake you can make is treating this as "Mexican Halloween." It’s not. Halloween is about scaring spirits away or pretending to be something you’re not. Day of the Dead is an invitation.
When you buy a mass-produced day of the dead cat figurine from a discount store, you're often buying a caricature. These items frequently use "sugar skull" patterns that are actually sacred or deeply tied to specific family lineages. If you want to be respectful, buy from actual Mexican artisans. Look for Barro Negro (black clay) pieces or hand-painted ceramics from places like Metepec. The difference in soul—yes, inanimate objects can have soul—is massive.
Also, don't feel like your altar has to be "perfect." The most authentic altars I’ve ever seen were messy. They had cat hair on them. They had half-chewed toys. They weren't Instagram-ready. They were lived-in. That’s what the spirits recognize. They don't recognize a $50 curated kit from a lifestyle brand. They recognize the smell of the home they loved.
📖 Related: Weather Forecast Calumet MI: What Most People Get Wrong About Keweenaw Winters
How to Actually Honor Your Cat This Year
If you're looking to move beyond the surface level, here is how you can authentically integrate a day of the dead cat celebration into your life.
First, start early. Don't wait until November 2nd. Get your space ready by October 27th. Clear a shelf or a small table. You don't need a three-tier professional setup.
Secondly, use "the path." Take your marigold petals (or even just orange paper if you can't find real ones) and make a trail from your front door to the altar. This is for the cat. They are low to the ground. They follow scents and visual cues.
Thirdly, talk to them. It sounds silly to some, but a huge part of the tradition is oral history. Tell stories about the time the cat knocked over the Christmas tree or how they used to sleep on your head. The vibration of your voice is part of the invitation.
Specific Steps for an Authentic Pet Ofrenda:
- Placement: Put the altar in a quiet area where the cat used to like to nap. Avoid high-traffic zones where the "energy" is too chaotic.
- The Candle: Light a single white candle to represent hope and the light of the soul. Keep it safe—don't leave it unattended near actual living cats!
- The Treat: Place their absolute favorite food out on the night of the 27th. Change the water daily. Spirits don't like stale water.
- The "Cempasúchil" Bridge: If you have multiple pets, make a small bridge of flowers connecting their photos. This represents their companionship in the afterlife.
What most people miss is that this holiday is actually a form of grief processing. It’s a way to say, "You aren't gone, you're just away, and I’ll see you in November." For a cat owner, that's incredibly powerful. We spend so much time wondering where our pets go when they pass. The Mexican tradition gives you an answer: they go to a place that’s hard to reach, but they always know the way back.
The day of the dead cat isn't just a decoration. It’s a placeholder for a member of the family. Whether you're using a hand-carved alebrije, a simple photograph, or a clay skeletal figure, the intent is what matters. You’re keeping the porch light on for a friend who has a very long walk ahead of them.
Ultimately, the beauty of the tradition lies in its lack of rigidity. While the dates and the symbols are important, the "right" way to do it is the way that feels like your cat. If they were a grumpy cat, maybe don't use the bright, happy colors. If they were a chaotic kitten, maybe the altar should be a little disorganized. Authenticity beats "correctness" every single time in folk tradition.
Next time you see a day of the dead cat, look at it differently. It’s not a spooky skeleton. It’s a map, a guide, and a reminder that love doesn't actually have a deadline. It just has a yearly check-in. Prepare the space, buy the marigolds, and get the tuna ready. The michis are coming home soon.