Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Unaudited quarterly results
Revenue, Net	$ 418,192	$ 433,613	$ 438,372	$ 409,465	$ 368,998	$ 385,135	$ 376,105	$ 355,123	$ 1,699,642	$ 1,485,361	$ 1,381,468
Gross profit	81,807	99,181	100,607	93,379	71,710	90,137	96,832	79,778	374,974	338,457	331,164
Operating income	(83,553)	61,186	61,498	53,805	14,197	57,841	70,109	53,506	92,936	195,653	207,249
Net income	(57,025)	35,642	35,778	36,321	(2,060)	31,359	40,065	30,496	50,716	99,860	114,158
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc.	$ (58,051)	$ 34,037	$ 34,320	$ 35,245	$ (3,215)	$ 30,169	$ 39,612	$ 28,839	$ 45,551	$ 95,405	$ 110,243
Basic earnings per common share	$ (0.66)	$ 0.39	$ 0.39	$ 0.41	$ (0.04)	$ 0.35	$ 0.46	$ 0.33	$ 0.52	$ 1.10	$ 1.28
Diluted earnings per common share	$ (0.66)	$ 0.38	$ 0.39	$ 0.40	$ (0.04)	$ 0.35	$ 0.45	$ 0.33	$ 0.51	$ 1.09	$ 1.27