Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net Income Loss Attributable To Redeemable And Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	$ 2,500,000	$ 2,000,000	$ 1,200,000
Net income	50,716,000	99,860,000	114,158,000
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized loss on hedging instruments	0	0	2,000
Tax benefit	0	0	1,000
Losses on hedging instruments reclassified to income	0	0	(382,000)
Tax benefit	0	0	(149,000)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	1,429,000	(319,000)	900,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	1,429,000	(319,000)	668,000
Total comprehensive income	52,145,000	99,541,000	115,058,000
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,165,000	4,455,000	3,915,000
Comprehensive income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc	$ 46,980,000	$ 95,086,000	$ 111,143,000