Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 216,098	$ 140,683	$ 142,922
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(31,599)	(13,963)	(7,999)
Other comprehensive loss		(31,599)	(13,963)	(7,999)
Total comprehensive income		184,499	126,720	134,923
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	[1]	4,087	4,489	5,449
Comprehensive income attributable to VCA Inc.		$ 180,412	$ 122,231	$ 129,474

[1] Includes $2.4 million, $2.4 million and $3.3 million for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests.