Central Garden & Pet Company

Central Garden & Pet Company is a prominent producer, marketer, and distributor of branded and private-label products for the lawn and garden, and pet supply markets in the United States. The company's core mission, guided by its "Central to Home" strategy, is to nurture happy and healthy homes by providing innovative solutions that help lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, and pets live healthier. Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, the company has been operating for over 45 years.

The company operates through two primary segments: Pet and Garden. The Pet segment offers a wide array of products including dog and cat supplies (such as treats, chews, toys, beds, and grooming items), aquatics and reptile products (like aquariums, food, and water conditioners), small animal and bird supplies, animal health and equine care products, and live fish and small animals. Key brands in this segment include Nylabone, Kaytee, Aqueon, and Farnam. The Garden segment provides products such as grass seed, wild bird feed, fertilizers, weed and insect control solutions, live plants, and packet seeds, under brands like Pennington, Amdro, and Sevin. Central Garden & Pet also manages Arden Companies® outdoor cushions within its Pet segment, leveraging synergies with its pet bed business. Products are distributed through various channels, including mass retailers, independent stores, and e-commerce.

Recent leadership changes saw Niko Lahanas appointed CEO and Brad Smith as CFO in September 2024, with Apur Patel joining as Chief Legal Officer in January 2026. Central Garden & Pet maintains a strong market position as a leading player in its industries, boasting a portfolio of over 60 brands and reporting fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion. The company is actively pursuing operational discipline and digital acceleration through its "Central to Home" strategy, which includes a "Cost and Simplicity" program aimed at improving margins. In April 2026, Central Garden & Pet announced a strategic nationwide pet distribution joint venture with Phillips Pet Food & Supplies to enhance its reach and service capabilities. Additionally, the company is advancing sustainability initiatives, such as Nylabone's program to repurpose abandoned fishing nets into dog chew toys, and expanded its portfolio in December 2025 with the acquisition of Champion USA, a cattle fly-control company.