Form: 10-K

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

December 29, 2000

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT

Published on December 29, 2000



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, 333-41931 and 333-84737 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,
2000 appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Central Garden & Pet
Company for the year ended September 30, 2000.


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP


San Francisco, California
December 29, 2000