Form: 10-K

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

December 16, 1996

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

Published on December 16, 1996



EXHIBIT 23.1

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Central Garden & Pet Company's
Registration Statement Nos. 333-09065, 333-01238, 33-96816, 33-89216 and
33-72326 on Forms S-8, Registration Statement No. 333-05261 on Form S-4 and
Registration Statement No. 33-86284 on Form S-3 of our report dated November
15, 1996 appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Central Garden & Pet
Company for the year ended September 28, 1996.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
San Francisco, California
December 13, 1996