Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 374,238	$ 437,987	$ 501,611	$ 290,521	$ 368,837	$ 494,130	$ 498,169	$ 292,497	$ 1,604,357	$ 1,653,633	$ 1,700,013
Cost of goods sold and occupancy									1,150,333	1,189,731	1,185,855
Gross profit	107,556	119,131	147,596	79,741	81,307	152,466	153,170	76,959	454,024	463,902	514,158
Selling, general and administrative expenses									397,811	416,038	439,737
Goodwill impairment					7,709				0	7,709	0
Income (loss) from operations									56,213	40,155	74,421
Interest expense									(42,844)	(43,112)	(40,315)
Interest income									94	142	145
Other income (expense)									403	(677)	678
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest									13,866	(3,492)	34,929
Income tax expense (benefit)									4,045	(2,592)	12,816
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest									9,821	(900)	22,113
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest									1,017	1,029	940
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ (4,070)	$ 4,687	$ 20,895	$ (12,708)	$ (22,581)	$ 13,725	$ 22,196	$ (15,269)	$ 8,804	$ (1,929)	$ 21,173
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic	$ (0.08)	$ 0.10	$ 0.43	$ (0.26)	$ (0.47)	$ 0.28	$ 0.46	$ (0.32)	$ 0.18	$ (0.04)	$ 0.44
Diluted	$ (0.08)	$ 0.09	$ 0.43	$ (0.26)	$ (0.47)	$ 0.28	$ 0.46	$ (0.32)	$ 0.18	$ (0.04)	$ 0.44
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:
Basic	49,324	49,148	48,688	48,368	48,264	48,173	48,064	47,871	48,880	48,094	47,622
Diluted	49,324	49,841	49,116	48,368	48,264	48,822	48,740	47,871	49,397	48,094	48,374