Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 27, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-33268
Entity Registrant Name	CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	68-0275553
Entity Address, Address Line One	1340 Treat Blvd.
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 600
Entity Address, City or Town	Walnut Creek
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94597
City Area Code	925
Local Phone Number	948-4000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Central Index Key	0000887733
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-26
Common Class
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	CENT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,300,810
Class A Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock
Trading Symbol	CENTA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		41,748,750
Class B Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,647,922