Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Sep. 25, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,310,083	$ 3,338,588	$ 3,303,684
Cost of goods sold	2,363,241	2,346,283	2,332,783
Gross profit	946,842	992,305	970,901
Selling, general and administrative expenses	736,196	732,269	716,405
Operating income	210,646	260,036	254,496
Interest expense	(57,025)	(58,253)	(58,597)
Interest income	7,362	719	415
Other income (expense), net	1,462	(3,596)	(1,506)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	162,445	198,906	194,808
Income tax expense	36,348	46,234	42,035
Net income including noncontrolling interest	126,097	152,672	152,773
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	454	520	1,027
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 125,643	$ 152,152	$ 151,746
Net income per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 2.40	$ 2.86	$ 2.81
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 2.35	$ 2.80	$ 2.75
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:
Basic (in shares)	52,395	53,220	53,914
Diluted (in shares)	53,427	54,425	55,248