Form: S-3

Registration statement for specified transactions by certain issuers

December 8, 1997

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

Published on December 8, 1997



EXHIBIT 23.1



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement of Central Garden & Pet
Company on Form S-3 of our reports dated November 4, 1997, appearing in the
Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement, and incorporated by
reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
September 27, 1997 and to the references to us under the headings "Selected
Consolidated Financial and Operating Data" and "Experts" in such Prospectus.


Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Francisco, California
December 8, 1997