Calculation of Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to VCA, Inc.	$ 27,452	$ 40,647	$ 107,079	$ 112,794
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	86,274,000	88,834,000	87,543,000	88,583,000
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options (in shares)	324,000	310,000	285,000	318,000
Nonvested shares and units (in shares)	762,000	701,000	837,000	758,000
Diluted (in shares)	87,360,000	89,845,000	88,665,000	89,659,000
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.46	$ 1.22	$ 1.27
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.45	$ 1.21	$ 1.26
Calculation of Earnings per Share (Textuals) [Abstract]
Potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	0	0	0	23,538