[LETTERHEAD OF CENTRAL GARDEN & PET]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- ---------------------


                CENTRAL GARDEN & PET TO ACQUIRE PENNINGTON SEED

                      __________________________________

    LAFAYETTE, CA, February 17, 1998 - Central Garden & Pet Company
(NASDAQ:CENT) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to
acquire Pennington Seed, Inc., a manufacturer of proprietary branded grass and
wild bird seed, including such brand names as Pennington Seed(R), Green
Charm(R), Penkoted(R) and Eliminator(R). The Company is also a manufacturer and
distributor of lawn and garden products. Terms were not disclosed.

    Pennington Seed reported consolidated annual sales of approximately $300 
million in 1997.  Pennington's principal customers include large national chains
such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Lowes and Home Depot as well as independent retailers. 
Based in Madison, Georgia, Pennington has approximately 750 employees.

    "The acquisition of Pennington is another exciting step forward in the 
development of our branded products business, and at the same time, strengthens 
our lawn and garden distribution franchise," said William E. Brown, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Central.  "We are particularly pleased that Sonny 
Pennington, President of Pennington, and the Pennington management team, who are
very highly respected throughout the industry, will be joining the Central 
team."  

    Sonny Pennington commented, "All of us at Pennington are very excited about 
the prospects of combining our businesses with Central.  We are confident that 
by joining forces, we will be able to provide our customers with an even higher 
level of quality products and services." 

    Upon closing, Sonny Pennington will become a member of Central's Board of 
Directors and the Pennington family will be one of the largest shareholders of 
Central.

                                     -2-
 
     Central Garden & Pet Company is the leading national distributor of lawn 
and garden and pet supply products.  Central offers customers a wide array of 
value-added services designed to increase the sales and profitability of both 
manufacturers and retailers, including inventory management, advertising and 
promotional programs, in-store service and display building and sales program 
development.  Central also offers lines of proprietary branded products which 
include Kaytee (R), TFH (R), Zodiac (R), and Four Paws (R) pet products, Island 
(R) aquariums, Matthews (R) redwood products and Grant's (R) ant control 
products.
     "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 
of 1995:  The statements contained in this release which are not historical 
facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or 
implied by forward-looking statements.  These risks are described in the 
Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.