Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011
Condensed Statement of Operations based on the Company's understanding of the SEC's interpretation
Net sales	$ 292,497	$ 302,066
Cost of products sold and occupancy	215,538	221,328
Gross profit	76,959	80,738
Selling, general and administrative expenses	90,053	92,018
Loss from operations	(13,094)	(11,280)
Interest - net	(10,250)	(9,519)
Other income (loss)	(981)	(114)
Loss before income taxes	(24,325)	(20,913)
Income tax benefit	(8,978)	(7,646)
Loss including noncontrolling interest	(15,347)	(13,267)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(78)	(177)
Loss attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	(15,269)	(13,090)
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	0	0
Net loss attributable to Central Garden & Pet Co.	(15,269)	(13,090)
Parent [Member]
Condensed Statement of Operations based on the Company's understanding of the SEC's interpretation
Net sales	96,003	101,913
Cost of products sold and occupancy	74,843	78,735
Gross profit	21,160	23,178
Selling, general and administrative expenses	28,519	29,201
Loss from operations	(7,359)	(6,023)
Interest - net	(10,299)	(9,602)
Other income (loss)	248	709
Loss before income taxes	(17,410)	(14,916)
Income tax benefit	(6,383)	(5,444)
Loss including noncontrolling interest	(11,027)	(9,472)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(78)	(177)
Loss attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	(10,949)	(9,295)
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	(4,320)	(3,795)
Net loss attributable to Central Garden & Pet Co.	(15,269)	(13,090)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Statement of Operations based on the Company's understanding of the SEC's interpretation
Net sales	209,045	214,424
Cost of products sold and occupancy	153,246	156,864
Gross profit	55,799	57,560
Selling, general and administrative expenses	61,534	62,817
Loss from operations	(5,735)	(5,257)
Interest - net	49	83
Other income (loss)	(1,229)	(823)
Loss before income taxes	(6,915)	(5,997)
Income tax benefit	(2,595)	(2,202)
Loss including noncontrolling interest	(4,320)	(3,795)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Loss attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	(4,320)	(3,795)
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	0	0
Net loss attributable to Central Garden & Pet Co.	(4,320)	(3,795)
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Statement of Operations based on the Company's understanding of the SEC's interpretation
Net sales	(12,551)	(14,271)
Cost of products sold and occupancy	(12,551)	(14,271)
Gross profit	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0
Loss from operations	0	0
Interest - net	0	0
Other income (loss)	0	0
Loss before income taxes	0	0
Income tax benefit	0	0
Loss including noncontrolling interest	0	0
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Loss attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	0	0
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	4,320	3,795
Net loss attributable to Central Garden & Pet Co.	$ 4,320	$ 3,795