Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Unaudited quarterly results
Revenue	$ 368,998	$ 385,135	$ 376,105	$ 355,123	$ 338,112	$ 358,703	$ 353,919	$ 330,734	$ 1,485,361		$ 1,381,468		$ 1,314,507
Gross profit	71,710	90,137	96,832	79,778	69,586	85,299	93,484	82,795	338,457		331,164		341,232
Operating income	14,197	57,841	70,109	53,506	40,124	58,042	52,453	56,630	195,653		207,249		241,528
Net income	(2,060)	31,359	40,065	30,496	22,122	28,587	30,517	32,932	99,860	[1]	114,158	[1]	135,586	[1]
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc.	$ (3,215)	$ 30,169	$ 39,612	$ 28,839	$ 21,473	$ 27,431	$ 29,404	$ 31,935	$ 95,405		$ 110,243		$ 131,428
Basic earnings per common share	$ (0.04)	$ 0.35	$ 0.46	$ 0.33	$ 0.25	$ 0.32	$ 0.34	$ 0.37	$ 1.10		$ 1.28		$ 1.54
Diluted earnings per common share	$ (0.04)	$ 0.35	$ 0.45	$ 0.33	$ 0.25	$ 0.32	$ 0.34	$ 0.37	$ 1.09		$ 1.27		$ 1.53

[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.