Nature of Operations	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	Nature of Operations Our company, VCA Inc. (“VCA”) is a Delaware corporation formed in 1986 and is based in Los Angeles, California. We are an animal healthcare company with the following four operating segments: animal hospitals ("Animal Hospital"), veterinary diagnostic laboratories ("Laboratory"), veterinary medical technology ("Medical Technology"), and Camp Bow Wow Franchising, Inc. (f/k/a D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC ("Camp Bow Wow"). Our operating segments are aggregated into two reportable segments: Animal Hospital and Laboratory. Our Medical Technology and Camp Bow Wow operating segments are combined in our All Other category. See Note 10, Lines of Business within these notes to unaudited condensed, consolidated financial statements. Our Animal Hospitals offer a full range of general medical and surgical services for companion animals. Our Animal Hospitals treat diseases and injuries, provide pharmaceutical products and perform a variety of pet-wellness programs, including health examinations, diagnostic testing, vaccinations, spaying, neutering and dental care. At September 30, 2016, we operated or managed 776 animal hospitals throughout 43 states and five Canadian provinces. We operate a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory network serving all 50 states and certain areas in Canada. Our Laboratory network provides sophisticated testing and consulting services used by veterinarians in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring, treatment and prevention of diseases and other conditions affecting animals. At September 30, 2016, we operated 60 laboratories of various sizes located strategically throughout the United States and Canada. Our Medical Technology business sells digital radiography and ultrasound imaging equipment, provides education and training on the use of that equipment, provides consulting and mobile imaging services, and sells software and ancillary services to the veterinary market. Our Camp Bow Wow business franchises a premier provider of pet services including dog day care, overnight boarding, grooming and other ancillary services at specially designed pet care facilities, principally under the trademark Camp Bow Wow^®. As of September 30, 2016, there were 128 Camp Bow Wow franchise locations operating in 34 states and one Canadian province. On December 31, 2015, our company sold substantially all of the assets of Vetstreet Inc. ("Vetstreet") to a subsidiary of Henry Schein, Inc.. Concurrent with the sale of Vetstreet, we purchased a 19.9% interest in the continuing Vetstreet business. Prior to the sale of Vetstreet, its results of operations were included in our "All Other" category. On May 1, 2016, we acquired an 80% ownership interest in Companion Animal Practices, North America ("CAPNA"). CAPNA, founded in 2010, and at the time of acquisition, operated a network of 56 free standing animal hospitals in 18 states. CAPNA's results of operations are included in our Animal Hospital segment. The practice of veterinary medicine is subject to seasonal fluctuation. In particular, demand for veterinary services is significantly higher during the warmer months because pets spend a greater amount of time outdoors where they are more likely to be injured and are more susceptible to disease and parasites. In addition, use of veterinary services may be affected by levels of flea infestation, heartworms and ticks, and the number of daylight hours.

Nature of Operations

Our company, VCA Inc. (“VCA”) is a Delaware corporation formed in 1986 and is based in Los Angeles, California. We are an animal healthcare company with the following four operating segments: animal hospitals ("Animal Hospital"), veterinary diagnostic laboratories ("Laboratory"), veterinary medical technology ("Medical Technology"), and Camp Bow Wow Franchising, Inc. (f/k/a D.O.G. Enterprises, LLC ("Camp Bow Wow"). Our operating segments are aggregated into two reportable segments: Animal Hospital and Laboratory. Our Medical Technology and Camp Bow Wow operating segments are combined in our All Other category. See Note 10, Lines of Business within these notes to unaudited condensed, consolidated financial statements.

Our Animal Hospitals offer a full range of general medical and surgical services for companion animals. Our Animal Hospitals treat diseases and injuries, provide pharmaceutical products and perform a variety of pet-wellness programs, including health examinations, diagnostic testing, vaccinations, spaying, neutering and dental care. At September 30, 2016, we operated or managed 776 animal hospitals throughout 43 states and five Canadian provinces.

We operate a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory network serving all 50 states and certain areas in Canada. Our Laboratory network provides sophisticated testing and consulting services used by veterinarians in the detection, diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring, treatment and prevention of diseases and other conditions affecting animals. At September 30, 2016, we operated 60 laboratories of various sizes located strategically throughout the United States and Canada.

Our Medical Technology business sells digital radiography and ultrasound imaging equipment, provides education and training on the use of that equipment, provides consulting and mobile imaging services, and sells software and ancillary services to the veterinary market.

Our Camp Bow Wow business franchises a premier provider of pet services including dog day care, overnight boarding, grooming and other ancillary services at specially designed pet care facilities, principally under the trademark Camp Bow Wow^®. As of September 30, 2016, there were 128 Camp Bow Wow franchise locations operating in 34 states and one Canadian province.

On December 31, 2015, our company sold substantially all of the assets of Vetstreet Inc. ("Vetstreet") to a subsidiary of Henry Schein, Inc.. Concurrent with the sale of Vetstreet, we purchased a 19.9% interest in the continuing Vetstreet business. Prior to the sale of Vetstreet, its results of operations were included in our "All Other" category.

On May 1, 2016, we acquired an 80% ownership interest in Companion Animal Practices, North America ("CAPNA"). CAPNA, founded in 2010, and at the time of acquisition, operated a network of 56 free standing animal hospitals in 18 states. CAPNA's results of operations are included in our Animal Hospital segment.

The practice of veterinary medicine is subject to seasonal fluctuation. In particular, demand for veterinary services is significantly higher during the warmer months because pets spend a greater amount of time outdoors where they are more likely to be injured and are more susceptible to disease and parasites. In addition, use of veterinary services may be affected by levels of flea infestation, heartworms and ticks, and the number of daylight hours.