Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v3.8.0.1
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Nov. 17, 2017
Mar. 25, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-K    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Sep. 30, 2017    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Trading Symbol CENT    
Entity Registrant Name CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO    
Entity Central Index Key 0000887733    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --09-30    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Public Float     $ 372,000,000
Common stock      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   12,160,023  
Class A common stock      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   38,035,517  
Entity Public Float     1,183,000,000
Class B stock      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   1,652,262  
Entity Public Float     $ 227,000