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    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0001756648</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
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      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



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    <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>Hanson John Edward</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Director</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Class A Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>Charles Schwab &amp; Co., Inc.</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>3000 Schwab Way</com:street1>
          <com:city>Westlake</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>TX</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>76262</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>6593</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>281032.00</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>40995629</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>08/07/2023</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NASDAQ</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Class A Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>02/12/2019</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Restricted Stock Lapse</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Central Garden &amp; Pet Company</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>718</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>02/12/2019</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>Equity Compensation</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Class A Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>05/07/2021</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Restricted Stock Lapse</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Central Garden &amp; Pet Company</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>5875</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>05/07/2021</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>Equity Compensation</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>08/07/2023</noticeDate>
      <signature>John Edward Hanson</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
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144
0001756648
XXXXXXXX
LIVE
0000887733
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
001-33268
1340 TREAT BOULEVARD
SUITE 600
WALNUT CREEK
CA
94597
9259484000
Hanson John Edward
Director
Class A Common Stock
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
3000 Schwab Way
Westlake
TX
76262
6593
281032.00
40995629
08/07/2023
NASDAQ
Class A Common Stock
02/12/2019
Restricted Stock Lapse
Central Garden & Pet Company
N
718
02/12/2019
Equity Compensation
Class A Common Stock
05/07/2021
Restricted Stock Lapse
Central Garden & Pet Company
N
5875
05/07/2021
Equity Compensation
Y
08/07/2023
John Edward Hanson