Exhibit 5.1

February 15, 2002

Central Garden & Pet Company

3697 Mt. Diablo Boulevard

Lafayette, California 94549

Re:  Central Garden & Pet Company

Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

At your request, we are rendering this opinion in connection with the proposed issuance pursuant to the Central Garden & Pet Company Nonemployee Director Equity Incentive Plan and non-plan nonemployee director stock options (the “Plans”), of up to 121,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value (“Common Stock”), of Central Garden & Pet Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

We have examined instruments, documents, and records which we deemed relevant and necessary for the basis of our opinion hereinafter expressed. In such examination, we have assumed the following: (a) the authenticity of original documents and the genuineness of all signatures; (b) the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies; and (c) the truth, accuracy and completeness of the information, representations and warranties contained in the records, documents, instruments and certificates we have reviewed.

Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that the 121,000 shares of Central Garden & Pet Company issuable under the Plans are duly authorized, and, when issued in accordance with the provisions of the Plans, will be legally issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the above referenced Registration Statement on Form S-8 and to the use of our name wherever it appears in said Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not consider that we are “experts” within the meaning of such term as used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including this opinion, as an exhibit or otherwise.

Ve ry truly yours,

/s/     ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE LLP

Or rick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP