EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
Board of Directors
Central Garden & Pet Company
Lafayette, California
 
  We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of Central Garden & Pet Company on Form S-3 of our reports dated November 15,
1996, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Central Garden & Pet
Company for the year ended September 28, 1996, and to the reference to us
under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is a part of this
Registration Statement.
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP
San Francisco, California
February 11, 1997