Consolidating Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (8,623)	$ (5,693)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(233)	(552)
Unrealized loss on securities	0	(10)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(8,856)	(6,255)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(21)	4
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden &Pet Company	(8,835)	(6,259)
Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(8,602)	(5,697)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(233)	(552)
Unrealized loss on securities		(10)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(8,835)	(6,259)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden &Pet Company	(8,835)	(6,259)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(1,035)	(824)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(142)	(345)
Unrealized loss on securities		0
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(1,177)	(1,169)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(21)	4
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden &Pet Company	(1,156)	(1,173)
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	10,013	6,502
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(51)	(104)
Unrealized loss on securities		0
Total comprehensive income (loss)	9,962	6,398
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden &Pet Company	9,962	6,398
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(8,999)	(5,674)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	193	449
Unrealized loss on securities		0
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(8,806)	(5,225)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden &Pet Company	$ (8,806)	$ (5,225)