Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Summary of comprehensive income
Net income	$ 31,359,000	$ 28,587,000	$ 101,920,000	$ 92,036,000
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(669,000)	172,000	(373,000)	103,000
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency	(608,000)	364,000	(371,000)	287,000
Tax benefit (expense)	237,000	(142,000)	145,000	(112,000)
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 (loss) income	(1,040,000)	394,000	(599,000)	510,000
Total comprehensive income	30,319,000	28,981,000	101,321,000	92,546,000
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,190,000	1,156,000	3,300,000	3,266,000
Comprehensive income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc	29,129,000	27,825,000	98,021,000	89,280,000
Comprehensive Income (Textuals) [Abstract]
Comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests			$ 1,500,000	$ 915,000