Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 27, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 79,588	$ 78,676	$ 16,711
Restricted cash	19,690	14,283	0
Short term investments	9,992	9,990	14,220
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $24,184, $20,547 and $25,212)	142,877	193,729	143,105
Inventories	399,936	326,386	427,439
Prepaid expenses and other	64,280	48,488	69,100
Total current assets	716,363	671,552	670,575
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment-net	163,546	166,849	187,138
Goodwill	208,233	208,233	205,756
Other intangible assets-net	87,061	87,997	78,856
Deferred income taxes and other assets	13,760	14,096	13,643
Total	1,188,963	1,148,727	1,155,968
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	128,485	88,428	120,548
Accrued expenses	93,208	84,379	88,512
Current portion of long-term debt	50,289	291	73
Total current liabilities	271,982	173,098	209,133
Long-term debt	399,913	449,948	449,465
Other long-term obligations	42,212	39,228	38,867
Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	393,494	396,586	390,991
Accumulated earnings	80,136	86,396	64,884
Accumulated other comprehensive income	670	1,232	1,527
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders' equity	474,802	484,723	457,894
Noncontrolling interest	54	1,730	609
Total equity	474,856	486,453	458,503
Total	1,188,963	1,148,727	1,155,968
Common Stock [Member]
Equity:
Common stock	122	124	122
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Equity:
Common stock	364	369	354
Class B Stock [Member]
Equity:
Common stock	$ 16	$ 16	$ 16