Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 99,860	[1]	$ 114,158	[1]	$ 135,586	[1]
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(160)		482		684
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency	(261)		304		563
Tax benefit (expense)	102		(118)		(219)
Unrealized loss on hedging instruments			(2)		(1,335)
Tax benefit			1		520
Losses on hedging instruments reclassified to income			382		9,784
Tax benefit			(149)		(3,808)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(319)		900		6,189
Total comprehensive income	99,541	[1]	115,058	[1]	141,775	[1]
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,455		3,915		4,158
Comprehensive income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc	$ 95,086		$ 111,143		$ 137,617

[1] Includes $2.0 million, $1.2 million and $1.1 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests.