Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Unaudited quarterly results
Revenue	$ 479,927	$ 499,577	$ 489,472	$ 449,507	$ 435,453	$ 464,055	$ 465,255	$ 438,606	$ 1,918,483		$ 1,803,369		$ 1,699,642
Gross profit	99,018	123,757	120,415	101,451	87,486	110,677	114,294	96,923	444,641		409,380		374,974
Operating income	52,654	53,476	79,906	61,232	45,923	72,039	75,701	55,351	247,268		249,014		92,936
Net income	29,909	28,951	46,908	34,915	25,728	41,911	43,460	31,823	140,683	[1]	142,922	[1]	50,716	[1]
Net income attributable to VCA Inc.	$ 28,359	$ 27,452	$ 45,584	$ 34,043	$ 24,717	$ 40,647	$ 41,662	$ 30,485	$ 135,438		$ 137,511		$ 45,551
Basic earnings per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.34	$ 0.32	$ 0.52	$ 0.39	$ 0.28	$ 0.46	$ 0.47	$ 0.34	$ 1.56		$ 1.55		$ 0.52
Diluted earnings per common share (USD per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.31	$ 0.51	$ 0.38	$ 0.28	$ 0.45	$ 0.46	$ 0.34	$ 1.54		$ 1.53		$ 0.51

[1] Includes $2.4 million, $3.3 million and $2.5 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests.