Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Unaudited quarterly results
Revenue, Net	$ 435,453	$ 464,055	$ 465,255	$ 438,606	$ 418,192	$ 433,613	$ 438,372	$ 409,465	$ 1,803,369	$ 1,699,642	$ 1,485,361
Gross profit	87,486	110,677	114,294	96,923	81,807	99,181	100,607	93,379	409,380	374,974	338,457
Operating income	45,923	72,039	75,701	55,351	(83,553)	61,186	61,498	53,805	249,014	92,936	195,653
Net income	25,728	41,911	43,460	31,823	(57,025)	35,642	35,778	36,321	142,922	50,716	99,860
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc.	$ 24,717	$ 40,647	$ 41,662	$ 30,485	$ (58,051)	$ 34,037	$ 34,320	$ 35,245	$ 137,511	$ 45,551	$ 95,405
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.28	$ 0.46	$ 0.47	$ 0.34	$ (0.66)	$ 0.39	$ 0.39	$ 0.41	$ 1.55	$ 0.52	$ 1.10
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.28	$ 0.45	$ 0.46	$ 0.34	$ (0.66)	$ 0.38	$ 0.39	$ 0.40	$ 1.53	$ 0.51	$ 1.09