Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2016	Oct. 17, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001100682
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 24, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		47,328,587