CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2024	Jul. 01, 2023	Jun. 29, 2024	Jul. 01, 2023
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 94,261	$ 99,443	$ 168,743	$ 203,397
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(21,678)	23,227	(84,518)	46,540
Amortization of net loss, settlement losses, and prior service benefit included in total cost for pension and other post-retirement benefit plans	342	174	686	344
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging instruments	(396)	6,046	372	4,644
Other comprehensive income (loss), before income taxes	(21,732)	29,447	(83,460)	51,528
Less: Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income	(2,027)	937	(7,500)	(101)
Comprehensive income, net of income taxes	74,556	127,953	92,783	255,026
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) related to noncontrolling interests, net of income taxes	265	78	(976)	1,087
Comprehensive income attributable to Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., net of income taxes	$ 74,291	$ 127,875	$ 93,759	$ 253,939