Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Total assets	$ 2,507,265	$ 2,301,689	$ 2,199,191
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Common stock	81	83
Additional paid-in capital	19,708	155,802
Retained earnings	1,275,207	1,064,158
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(50,034)	(19,397)
Total VCA Inc. stockholders’ equity	1,244,962	1,200,646
Parent Company [Member]
Assets
Investment in subsidiaries	1,510,723	1,330,311
Intercompany payable	(265,761)	(129,665)
Total assets	1,244,962	1,200,646
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Common stock	81	83
Additional paid-in capital	19,708	155,802
Retained earnings	1,275,207	1,064,158
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(50,034)	(19,397)
Total VCA Inc. stockholders’ equity	$ 1,244,962	$ 1,200,646