Consolidating Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Based on Company's Understanding of SEC's Interpretation (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 21,489	$ 22,960	$ 8,677	$ 7,613
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	2	(566)	87	(607)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	21,491	22,394	8,764	7,006
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	594	764	490	686
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	20,897	21,630	8,274	6,320
Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(2,027)	(5,929)	(14,731)	(16,956)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	2	(566)	87	(607)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(2,025)	(6,495)	(14,644)	(17,563)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	594	764	490	686
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	(2,619)	(7,259)	(15,134)	(18,249)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	23,516	28,889	23,408	24,569
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income (loss)	23,516	28,889	23,408	24,569
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	23,516	28,889	23,408	24,569
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0