WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 2005--Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT) today announced that its leading small animal/specialty pet supplies brand "Super Pet" won the Editors' Choice award from Pet Product News for its "Critter Trail Off To School" -- A unique multipurpose accessory that can be used as a home, cage add-on, or a carrier for hamsters, gerbils, or pet mice.

"We are very pleased to win this award from Pet Product News," commented Jim Heim, President of Pet Products Division of Central Garden & Pet . "I would like to congratulate Robert Krause, President of Pets International and the brand Super Pet, and his team for this award and recognize the organization's outstanding achievement in product innovation."

Critter Trail earlier this year won the Global Pet Expo Second Place award for Best New Small Animal Product for 2005. At the trade expo, Super Pet swept the three Small Animal Category awards and won "Best In Show" for the Critter Operated Chopper.

"The introduction of innovative new products is a significant strategic advantage of our business," concluded Mr. Heim. "We are focused on delivering meaningful, new products that entertain, simplify and energize pet ownership for consumers and our retail customers through our continued dedication to research and development. We are committed to Central's stated goal of 15% of branded products sales derived from products launched within the past 24 months."

Central Garden & Pet Company is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets. Our pet products include pet bird and small animal food, aquarium products, flea, tick, mosquito and other pest control products, edible bones, cages, carriers, pet books, and other dog, cat, reptile and small animal products. These products are sold under a number of brand names, including Kaytee, Super Pet, All-Glass Aquarium, Oceanic, Kent Marine, Energy Savers Unlimited, Zodiac, Pre-Strike, Altosid, Nylabone, TFH, Four Paws and Interpet. Our lawn and garden products include grass seed, wild bird food, weed and insect control products, decorative outdoor patio products and ant control products. These products are sold under a number of brand names, including Pennington, Norcal Pottery, New England Pottery, GKI/Bethlehem Lighting, Lilly Miller, Matthews Four Seasons, Cedar Works, AMDRO, Grant's, Sevin and Over'n Out. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet , including access to the Company's SEC filings, please visit the Company's website at http://www.central.com/.

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    CONTACT: Central Garden & Pet

             Paul Warburg, 925-948-3686

    SOURCE: Central Garden & Pet Company