Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 23, 2012	Mar. 24, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 368,837	$ 494,130	$ 498,169	$ 292,497	$ 397,236	$ 533,808	$ 466,903	$ 302,066	$ 1,653,633	$ 1,700,013	$ 1,628,652
Cost of goods sold and occupancy									1,189,731	1,185,855	1,134,733
Gross profit	81,307	152,466	153,170	76,959	105,072	180,652	147,696	80,738	463,902	514,158	493,919
Selling, general and administrative expenses									416,038	439,737	408,744
Goodwill impairment	7,709								7,709	0	0
Income from operations									40,155	74,421	85,175
Interest expense									(43,112)	(40,315)	(38,044)
Interest income									142	145	296
Other income (expense)									(677)	678	550
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest									(3,492)	34,929	47,977
Income tax expense (benefit)									(2,592)	12,816	19,595
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest									(900)	22,113	28,382
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									1,029	940	59
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ (22,581)	$ 13,725	$ 22,196	$ (15,269)	$ (10,059)	$ 22,699	$ 21,623	$ (13,090)	$ (1,929)	$ 21,173	$ 28,323
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic	$ (0.47)	$ 0.28	$ 0.46	$ (0.32)	$ (0.21)	$ 0.48	$ 0.46	$ (0.27)	$ (0.04)	$ 0.44	$ 0.50
Diluted	$ (0.47)	$ 0.28	$ 0.46	$ (0.32)	$ (0.21)	$ 0.47	$ 0.45	$ (0.27)	$ (0.04)	$ 0.44	$ 0.50
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:
Basic	48,264	48,173	48,064	47,871	47,704	47,661	47,343	47,823	48,094	47,622	56,217
Diluted	48,264	48,822	48,740	47,871	47,704	48,388	48,036	47,823	48,094	48,374	56,645