Segment Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Segment Information [Abstract]

Financial information relating to Company's business segments

These operating segments are Pet segment and Garden segment and are presented in the table below (in thousands).

	Three Months Ended
	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Net sales:
Pet segment	$	195,180		$	199,282
Garden segment		97,317			102,784
Total net sales	$	292,497		$	302,066
Income (loss) from operations:
Pet segment		10,173			9,689
Garden segment		(8,536	)		(11,085	)
Corporate		(14,731	)		(9,884	)
Total loss from operations		(13,094	)		(11,280	)
Interest expense—net		(10,250	)		(9,519	)
Other expense		(981	)		(114	)
Income tax benefit		(8,978	)		(7,646	)
Loss including noncontrolling interest		(15,347	)		(13,267	)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(78	)		(177	)
Net loss attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	(15,269	)	$	(13,090	)
Depreciation and amortization:
Pet segment		3,695			3,586
Garden segment		1,656			1,548
Corporate		2,665			2,310
Total depreciation and amortization	$	8,016		$	7,444
	December 29, 2012			September 29, 2012
Assets:
Pet segment		419,537			411,059
Garden segment		362,770			341,716
Corporate		363,765			396,772
Total assets	$	1,146,072		$	1,149,547
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Pet segment	$	202,514		$	202,514
Garden segment		7,709			7,709
Total goodwill	$	210,223		$	210,223