EXHIBIT 23 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT We consent to incorporation by reference in Central Garden & Pet Company's Registration Statement Nos. 333-09065, 333-01238, 33-96816, 33-89216, 33-72326, 333-22209 and 333-41931 on Form S-8, Registration Statement Nos. 333-05261, 333- 26387 and 333-46437 on Form S-4 and Registration Statement Nos. 33-86284, 333- 21603 and 333-48617 on Form S-3 of our reports dated December 18, 1998 appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Central Garden & Pet Company for the year ended September 26, 1998. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP San Francisco, California December 23, 1998