Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 46,908,000	[1]	$ 43,460,000	[1]	$ 81,823,000	[1]	$ 75,283,000	[1]
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4,809,000		(3,597,000)		(712,000)		(6,341,000)
Other comprehensive gain (loss)	4,809,000		(3,597,000)		(712,000)		(6,341,000)
Total comprehensive income	51,717,000		39,863,000		81,111,000		68,942,000
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,702,000	[1]	1,798,000	[1]	2,146,000	[1]	3,136,000	[1]
Comprehensive income attributable to VCA Inc.	50,015,000		38,065,000		78,965,000		65,806,000
Net income related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests					$ 1,200,000		$ 1,900,000

[1] Includes approximately $1.2 million and $1.9 million of net income related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.