Consolidating Condensed Statement of Operations Based on Company's Understanding of SEC's Interpretation (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 497,602us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 501,611us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 804,922us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	$ 792,132us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	347,540us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	354,015us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	566,879us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	564,795us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold
Gross profit	150,062us-gaap_GrossProfit	147,596us-gaap_GrossProfit	238,043us-gaap_GrossProfit	227,337us-gaap_GrossProfit
Selling, general and administrative expenses	100,091	102,827	186,934	190,923
Income (loss) from operations	49,971us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	44,769us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	51,109us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	36,414us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Interest expense	(11,876)us-gaap_InterestExpense	(10,405)us-gaap_InterestExpense	(22,379)us-gaap_InterestExpense	(22,622)us-gaap_InterestExpense
Interest income	18us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest	16us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest	89us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest	29us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest
Other income (expense)	(121)us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	108us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	(489)us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense	(60)us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	37,992	34,488	28,330	13,761
Income tax (benefit) expense	14,012us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	12,999us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	10,043us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	5,084us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates	0	0	0	0
Income including noncontrolling interest	23,980us-gaap_ProfitLoss	21,489us-gaap_ProfitLoss	18,287us-gaap_ProfitLoss	8,677us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	743	594	747	490
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	23,237	20,895	17,540	8,187
Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	150,014	146,049	246,976	232,282
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	113,668	109,458	192,447	177,949
Gross profit	36,346	36,591	54,529	54,333
Selling, general and administrative expenses	30,843	29,798	58,694	55,654
Income (loss) from operations	5,503	6,793	(4,165)	(1,321)
Interest expense	(11,815)	(10,375)	(22,302)	(22,566)
Interest income	18	16	88	29
Other income (expense)	(347)	50	(677)	7
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	(6,641)	(3,516)	(27,056)	(23,851)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(1,123)	(1,011)	(9,580)	(8,818)
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates	28,755	23,400	35,016	23,220
Income including noncontrolling interest	23,237	20,895	17,540	8,187
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	23,237	20,895	17,540	8,187
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	37,434	40,409	54,757	53,795
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	29,545	30,652	44,123	41,661
Gross profit	7,889	9,757	10,634	12,134
Selling, general and administrative expenses	5,339	6,595	9,338	10,012
Income (loss) from operations	2,550	3,162	1,296	2,122
Interest expense	(61)	(25)	(76)	(31)
Interest income	0	0	1	0
Other income (expense)	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	2,489	3,137	1,221	2,091
Income tax (benefit) expense	952	1,226	508	911
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates	0	0	0	0
Income including noncontrolling interest	1,537	1,911	713	1,180
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	743	594	747	490
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	794	1,317	(34)	690
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	338,994	340,660	546,119	543,682
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	231,403	237,863	370,494	380,365
Gross profit	107,591	102,797	175,625	163,317
Selling, general and administrative expenses	65,673	67,983	121,647	127,704
Income (loss) from operations	41,918	34,814	53,978	35,613
Interest expense	0	(5)	(1)	(25)
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Other income (expense)	226	58	188	(67)
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	42,144	34,867	54,165	35,521
Income tax (benefit) expense	14,183	12,784	19,115	12,991
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates	796	1,353	209	1,053
Income including noncontrolling interest	28,757	23,436	35,259	23,583
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	28,757	23,436	35,259	23,583
Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	(28,840)	(25,507)	(42,930)	(37,627)
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	(27,076)	(23,958)	(40,185)	(35,180)
Gross profit	(1,764)	(1,549)	(2,745)	(2,447)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(1,764)	(1,549)	(2,745)	(2,447)
Income (loss) from operations	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Other income (expense)	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	0	0	0	0
Income tax (benefit) expense	0	0	0	0
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates	(29,551)	(24,753)	(35,225)	(24,273)
Income including noncontrolling interest	(29,551)	(24,753)	(35,225)	(24,273)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ (29,551)	$ (24,753)	$ (35,225)	$ (24,273)

Net income loss attributable after equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries.

No definition available.

Name:	cent_NetIncomeLossAttributableAfterEquityInUndistributedIncomeOfGuarantorSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix:	cent_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CondensedFinancialStatementsCaptionsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 2

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a),(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GrossProfit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the undistributed income (or loss) of equity method investments, net of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporations; such investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsNetOfDividendsOrDistributions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Article 4

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Income Tax Expense (or Benefit)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515339

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a),(b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.9)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 9

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount before accretion (amortization) of purchase discount (premium) of interest income on nonoperating securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733093&loc=SL4573702-111684

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 4J

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35736750&loc=SL4591551-111686

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net amount of other income and expense amounts, the components of which are not separately disclosed on the income statement, resulting from ancillary business-related activities (that is, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business) also known as other nonoperating income (expense) recognized for the period. Such amounts may include: (a) dividends, (b) interest on securities, (c) net gains or losses on securities, (d) unusual costs, (e) gains or losses on foreign exchange transactions, and (f) miscellaneous other income and expense items.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 9

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.9)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 4K

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35736750&loc=SL4591552-111686

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 19

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (a),(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733093&loc=SL4573702-111684

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 4J

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35736750&loc=SL4591551-111686

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section 30

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34747878&loc=d3e3636-108311

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: