Calculation of Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to VCA, Inc.	$ 45,584	$ 41,662	$ 79,627	$ 72,147
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	88,041,000	88,509,000	88,188,000	88,455,000
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options (in shares)	265,000	321,000	260,000	298,000
Nonvested shares and units (in shares)	885,000	823,000	864,000	778,000
Diluted (in shares)	89,191,000	89,653,000	89,312,000	89,531,000
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.47	$ 0.90	$ 0.82
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.46	$ 0.89	$ 0.81
Calculation of Earnings per Share (Textuals) [Abstract]
Potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	0	12,909	0	26,987