Form: S-4/A

Registration of securities issued in business combination transactions

March 18, 1998

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS CONSENT

Published on March 18, 1998



EXHIBIT 23.1


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement No. 333-46437 on Form S-4 of Central Garden & Pet
Company of our reports dated November 4, 1997, appearing in the Annual Report
on Form 10-K of Central Garden & Pet Company for the year ended September 27,
1997 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus,
which is part of this Registration Statement.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
- -------------------------
San Francisco, California
March 18, 1998