Exhibit 11

                         CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
                   COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

                                  (UNAUDITED)

                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

 
 
                                              NINE MONTHS ENDED                    THREE MONTHS ENDED                     
                                                                                                                         
                                          JUNE 29,         JUNE 28,             JUNE 29,         JUNE 28,                 
                                            1996             1997                 1996             1997                   
                                       --------------   --------------      --------------    --------------              
                                                                                                           
FULLY DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE                                                                                          
                                                                                                                          
   Net Income                               $   7,063       $   15,038            $  6,635        $   11,807              
   Interest charges on convertible                                                                                        
     notes - net of tax                            --            2,662                  --             1,069              
                                            ---------       ----------            --------        ----------              
       Total                                $   7,063           17,700               6,635            12,876              
                                            =========       ==========            ========        ==========              
                                                                                                                          
   Fully diluted shares                                                                                                   
     Common and Common equivalent                                                                                         
       shares outstanding                      11,098           15,466              12,176            15,828              
     Convertible notes - dilutive                  --            3,385                  --             4,107              
                                            ---------       ----------            --------        ----------              
       Total                                   11,098           18,851              12,176            19,935              
                                            =========       ==========            ========        ==========                 
                                                                                                                          
   Fully diluted earnings per share         $    0.64       $     0.94            $   0.54        $     0.65              
                                            =========       ==========            ========        ==========