Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Consolidating Condensed Balance Sheet Based on Company's Understanding of SEC's Interpretation (Detail)

v2.4.0.8
Consolidating Condensed Balance Sheet Based on Company's Understanding of SEC's Interpretation (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 28, 2013
Sep. 28, 2013
Dec. 29, 2012
Sep. 29, 2012
ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents $ 16,711 $ 15,156 $ 12,591 $ 48,475
Short term investments 14,220 17,820 17,820  
Accounts receivable, net 143,105 194,260 150,767  
Inventories 427,439 391,934 397,725  
Prepaid expenses and other assets 69,100 53,484 66,629  
Total current assets 670,575 672,654 645,532  
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net 187,138 188,913 192,486  
Goodwill 205,756 205,756 210,223  
Investment in guarantors 0 0 0  
Deferred income taxes and other assets 92,499 93,837 97,831  
Total 1,155,968 1,161,160 1,146,072  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY        
Accounts payable 120,548 103,569 130,484  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 88,585 78,760 83,889  
Total current liabilities 209,133 182,329 214,373  
Long-term debt 449,465 472,445 450,446  
Other long-term obligations 38,867 36,362 30,968  
Shareholders' equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet Co. 457,894 468,678 450,046  
Noncontrolling interest 609 1,346 239  
Total equity 458,503 470,024 450,285 464,883
Total 1,155,968 1,161,160 1,146,072  
Parent [Member]
        
ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents 13,142 12,441 7,925 44,662
Short term investments 14,220 17,820 17,820  
Accounts receivable, net 43,850 43,660 44,084  
Inventories 137,276 114,662 129,785  
Prepaid expenses and other assets 34,595 24,747 38,498  
Total current assets 243,083 213,330 238,112  
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net 76,990 78,662 82,899  
Goodwill 0 0    
Investment in guarantors 657,919 693,615 666,645  
Deferred income taxes and other assets 57,820 57,255 54,445  
Total 1,035,812 1,042,862 1,042,101  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY        
Accounts payable 50,834 36,869 65,042  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 44,659 33,664 47,186  
Total current liabilities 95,493 70,533 112,228  
Long-term debt 449,444 472,418 450,374  
Other long-term obligations 32,372 29,887 29,214  
Shareholders' equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet Co. 457,894 468,678 450,046  
Noncontrolling interest 609 1,346 239  
Total equity 458,503 470,024 450,285  
Total 1,035,812 1,042,862 1,042,101  
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
        
ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents 3,569 2,715 4,666 3,813
Short term investments 0 0 0  
Accounts receivable, net 103,997 153,734 112,486  
Inventories 290,163 277,272 267,940  
Prepaid expenses and other assets 34,505 28,737 28,131  
Total current assets 432,234 462,458 413,223  
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net 110,148 110,251 109,587  
Goodwill 205,756 205,756 210,223  
Investment in guarantors 0 0 0  
Deferred income taxes and other assets 34,679 36,582 43,386  
Total 782,817 815,047 776,419  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY        
Accounts payable 74,456 69,834 71,245  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 43,926 45,096 36,703  
Total current liabilities 118,382 114,930 107,948  
Long-term debt 21 27 72  
Other long-term obligations 6,495 6,475 1,754  
Shareholders' equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet Co. 657,919 693,615 666,645  
Noncontrolling interest 0 0 0  
Total equity 657,919 693,615 666,645  
Total 782,817 815,047 776,419  
Eliminations [Member]
        
ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents 0 0 0 0
Short term investments 0 0 0  
Accounts receivable, net (4,742) (3,134) (5,803)  
Inventories 0 0 0  
Prepaid expenses and other assets 0 0 0  
Total current assets (4,742) (3,134) (5,803)  
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net 0 0 0  
Goodwill 0 0 0  
Investment in guarantors (657,919) (693,615) (666,645)  
Deferred income taxes and other assets 0 0 0  
Total (662,661) (696,749) (672,448)  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY        
Accounts payable (4,742) (3,134) (5,803)  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 0 0 0  
Total current liabilities (4,742) (3,134) (5,803)  
Long-term debt 0 0 0  
Other long-term obligations 0 0 0  
Shareholders' equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet Co. (657,919) (693,615) (666,645)  
Noncontrolling interest 0 0 0  
Total equity (657,919) (693,615) (666,645)  
Total $ (662,661) $ (696,749) $ (672,448)