Calculation of Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc.	$ 40,647	$ 34,037	$ 112,794	$ 103,602
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	88,834,000	87,773,000	88,583,000	87,554,000
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options	310,000	461,000	318,000	523,000
Nonvested shares	701,000	420,000	758,000	512,000
Diluted	89,845,000	88,654,000	89,659,000	88,589,000
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.46	$ 0.39	$ 1.27	$ 1.18
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.45	$ 0.38	$ 1.26	$ 1.17
Calculation of Earnings per Share (Textuals) [Abstract]
Potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	0	1,220,547	23,538	1,100,645