Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,829,017	$ 1,650,737	$ 1,604,357
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	1,275,967	1,162,685	1,150,333
Gross profit	553,050	488,052	454,024
Selling, general and administrative expenses	421,864	389,345	397,811
Intangible asset impairment	1,828	7,272	0
Operating income	129,358	91,435	56,213
Interest expense	(42,847)	(40,027)	(42,844)
Interest income	140	129	94
Other income (expense)	(17,013)	13	403
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	69,638	51,550	13,866
Income tax expense	24,053	18,535	4,045
Net income including noncontrolling interest	45,585	33,015	9,821
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,071	1,044	1,017
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 44,514	$ 31,971	$ 8,804
Net income per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.91	$ 0.66	$ 0.18
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.87	$ 0.64	$ 0.18
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:
Basic (in shares)	48,964	48,562	48,880
Diluted (in shares)	51,075	49,638	49,397