Calculation of Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc.	$ 34,043	$ 30,485
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	88,338,000	88,400,000
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options (in shares)	254,000	284,000
Nonvested shares and units (in shares)	829,000	695,000
Diluted (in shares)	89,421,000	89,379,000
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.39	$ 0.34
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.34
Calculation of Earnings per Share (Textuals) [Abstract]
Potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	0	497,826