Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Summary of comprehensive income
Net income	$ 40,065,000	$ 30,517,000	$ 70,561,000	$ 63,449,000
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	47,000	(236,000)	296,000	(69,000)
Unrealized gain on foreign currency	48,000	(259,000)	237,000	(77,000)
Tax expense	(19,000)	101,000	(92,000)	30,000
Unrealized loss on hedging instruments				(2,000)
Tax benefit				1,000
Losses on hedging instruments reclassified to income				382,000
Tax benefit				(149,000)
Other comprehensive income	76,000	(394,000)	441,000	116,000
Total comprehensive income	40,141,000	30,123,000	71,002,000	63,565,000
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	453,000	1,113,000	2,110,000	2,110,000
Comprehensive income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc	39,688,000	29,010,000	68,892,000	61,455,000
Comprehensive Income (Textuals) [Abstract]
Comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests			$ 1,100,000	$ 607,000