Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 217,403	$ 216,098	$ 140,683
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		4,743	(31,599)	(13,963)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		4,743	(31,599)	(13,963)
Total comprehensive income		222,146	184,499	126,720
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	[1]	8,322	4,087	4,489
Comprehensive income attributable to VCA Inc.		$ 213,824	$ 180,412	$ 122,231

[1] Includes $4.0 million, $2.4 million and $2.4 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests.