Segment Information - Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2023	Dec. 24, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023
Net sales:
Net sales	$ 634,533	$ 627,663
Operating income (loss)
Total operating income	8,412	406
Interest expense - net	(9,707)	(13,776)
Other income	993	1,699
Income tax benefit	(869)	(2,822)
Income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	567	(8,849)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	137	(416)
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	430	(8,433)
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	22,545	21,692
Assets:
Total assets	3,422,334	3,229,069	$ 3,378,648
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Total goodwill	546,436	546,436	546,436
Pet Segment
Net sales:
Net sales	409,222	415,820
Garden Segment
Net sales:
Net sales	225,311	211,843
Operating segments | Pet Segment
Operating income (loss)
Total operating income	43,388	39,555
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	10,798	10,112
Assets:
Total assets	1,010,988	1,041,944	944,359
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Total goodwill	277,067	277,067	277,067
Operating segments | Garden Segment
Operating income (loss)
Total operating income	(8,886)	(10,820)
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	11,006	10,842
Assets:
Total assets	1,432,258	1,472,102	1,349,426
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Total goodwill	269,369	269,369	269,369
Corporate
Operating income (loss)
Total operating income	(26,090)	(28,329)
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	741	738
Assets:
Total assets	$ 979,088	$ 715,023	$ 1,084,863