EXHIBIT 12

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(dollars in thousands)

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     September 25,
2004
   September 24,
2005
   September 30,
2006
   September 29,
2007
   September 27,
2008
 

Income (loss) before income taxes, cumulative effect of accounting change, and income (loss) of equity method investees

   $ 64,319    $ 79,469    $ 99,132    $ 51,270    $ (359,571 )

Fixed charges (1)

     19,157      24,582      42,912      52,093      40,394  
                                    

Earnings

     83,476      104,051      142,044      103,363      (319,177 )

Fixed charges (1)

   $ 19,157    $ 24,582    $ 42,912    $ 52,093    $ 40,394  

Earnings to fixed charges excess (deficiency)

   $ 64,319    $ 79,469    $ 99,132    $ 51,270    $ (359,571 )

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2)

     4.36      4.23      3.31      1.98      N/A  
                                    

 

(1) Fixed charges consist of interest expense, the portion of rental expense under operating leases deemed by management to be representative of the interest factor and amortization of deferred financing costs.
(2) For the year ended September 27, 2008, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $363.5 million, and the ratio is not meaningful.