Calculation of Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to VCA Inc.	$ 38,301us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 34,043us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	82,347,000	88,338,000
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options (in shares)	340,000	254,000
Non-vested shares and units (in shares)	686,000	829,000
Diluted (in shares)	83,373,000	89,421,000
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.39us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.38us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Calculation of Earnings per Share (Textuals) [Abstract]
Potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share		0

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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Nonvested equity-based payment awards that contain forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) that result in incremental common shares.

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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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