<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <headerData>
    <submissionType>144</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0000936179</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <issuerInfo>
      <issuerCik>0000887733</issuerCik>
      <issuerName>CENTRAL GARDEN &amp; PET CO</issuerName>
      <secFileNumber>001-33268</secFileNumber>
      <issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>1340 TREAT BOULEVARD</com:street1>
        <com:street2>SUITE 600</com:street2>
        <com:city>WALNUT CREEK</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>CA</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>94597</com:zipCode>
      </issuerAddress>
      <issuerContactPhone>9259484000</issuerContactPhone>
      <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>BROWN WILLIAM E</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Officer</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Class A Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>Wells Fargo Clearing Services</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>One North Jefferson Avenue</com:street1>
          <com:city>St. Louis</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>MO</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>63103</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>24847</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>924768.28</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>54723064</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>05/31/2024</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NASDAQ</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Class A Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>02/05/2007</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Gift</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>William E Brown</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>Y</isGiftTransaction>
      <donarAcquiredDate>01/01/1996</donarAcquiredDate>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>24847</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <natureOfPayment>N/A</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>N</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
      <sellerDetails>
        <name>William E Brown</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>1340 Treat Blvd., Suite 600</com:street1>
          <com:city>Walnut Creek</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>CA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>94597</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </sellerDetails>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Class A Common/CENTA</securitiesClassTitle>
      <saleDate>05/30/2024</saleDate>
      <amountOfSecuritiesSold>700000</amountOfSecuritiesSold>
      <grossProceeds>25375000.00</grossProceeds>
    </securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <remarks>The 24,487 shares sold today are owned by various family Irrevocable Trusts, and William E Brown and his Spouse are Co-TTEES on the Trusts indirectly.</remarks>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>05/31/2024</noticeDate>
      <signature>William E Brown</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
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144
0000936179
XXXXXXXX
LIVE
0000887733
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
001-33268
1340 TREAT BOULEVARD
SUITE 600
WALNUT CREEK
CA
94597
9259484000
BROWN WILLIAM E
Officer
Class A Common Stock
Wells Fargo Clearing Services
One North Jefferson Avenue
St. Louis
MO
63103
24847
924768.28
54723064
05/31/2024
NASDAQ
Class A Common Stock
02/05/2007
Gift
William E Brown
Y
01/01/1996
24847
N/A
N
William E Brown
1340 Treat Blvd., Suite 600
Walnut Creek
CA
94597
Class A Common/CENTA
05/30/2024
700000
25375000.00
The 24,487 shares sold today are owned by various family Irrevocable Trusts, and William E Brown and his Spouse are Co-TTEES on the Trusts indirectly.
05/31/2024
William E Brown