Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Consolidating Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Based on Company's Understanding of SEC's Interpretation (Detail)

v2.4.1.9
Consolidating Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Based on Company's Understanding of SEC's Interpretation (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 28, 2015
Mar. 29, 2014
Mar. 28, 2015
Mar. 29, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]        
Net income (loss) $ 23,980us-gaap_ProfitLoss $ 21,489us-gaap_ProfitLoss $ 18,287us-gaap_ProfitLoss $ 8,677us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Unrealized loss on securities (20)us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1 0us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1 (10)us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1 0us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
Reclassification of realized loss on securities included in net income 20us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax 20us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
Foreign currency translation (626)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax 2us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax (1,178)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax 87us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
Total comprehensive income (loss) 23,354us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 21,491us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 17,119us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 8,764us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 743us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 594us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 747us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest 490us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company 22,611us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax 20,897us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax 16,372us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax 8,274us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Parent [Member]        
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]        
Net income (loss) 23,237us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
20,895us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
17,540us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
8,187us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Unrealized loss on securities (20)us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
  (10)us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Reclassification of realized loss on securities included in net income 20us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
  20us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Foreign currency translation (626)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
(1,178)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Total comprehensive income (loss) 22,611us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
20,895us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
16,372us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
8,187us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 0us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
0us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
0us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
0us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company 22,611us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
20,895us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
16,372us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
8,187us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]        
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]        
Net income (loss) 1,537us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
1,911us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
713us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
1,180us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Unrealized loss on securities 0us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
  0us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
 
Reclassification of realized loss on securities included in net income 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
  0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
 
Foreign currency translation (355)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
2us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(700)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
87us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Total comprehensive income (loss) 1,182us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
1,913us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
13us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
1,267us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 743us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
594us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
747us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
490us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company 439us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
1,319us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(734)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
777us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]        
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]        
Net income (loss) 28,757us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
23,436us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
35,259us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
23,583us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Unrealized loss on securities 0us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
  0us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
 
Reclassification of realized loss on securities included in net income 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
  0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
 
Foreign currency translation (164)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
(268)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Total comprehensive income (loss) 28,593us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
23,436us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
34,991us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
23,583us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 0us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
0us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company 28,593us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
23,436us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
34,991us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
23,583us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember
Eliminations [Member]        
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]        
Net income (loss) (29,551)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(24,753)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(35,225)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(24,273)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Unrealized loss on securities 0us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
  0us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainLoss1
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
 
Reclassification of realized loss on securities included in net income 0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
  0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
 
Foreign currency translation 519us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
968us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Total comprehensive income (loss) (29,032)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(24,753)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(34,257)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
(24,273)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 0us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
0us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ (29,032)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
$ (24,753)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
$ (34,257)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember
$ (24,273)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember