Form: 11-K

Annual report of employee stock purchase, savings and similar plans

June 28, 2000

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

Published on June 28, 2000


[LETTERHEAD OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE]

EXHIBIT 23


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-
84737 on Form S-8 of Central Garden & Pet Company of our report dated April 17,
2000 (which includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the modified cash
basis of accounting), appearing in this Annual Report on Form 11-K of the
Central Garden & Pet Company Investment Growth Plan for the year ended December
31, 1999.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Francisco, California
June 26, 2000