Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Total assets	$ 3,373,328	$ 2,501,132	$ 2,293,815
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	81	81
Additional paid-in capital	32,157	19,708
Retained earnings	1,484,391	1,275,207
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(45,406)	(50,034)
Total VCA Inc. stockholders’ equity	1,471,223	1,244,962
Parent Company
Assets
Investment in subsidiaries	1,724,547	1,510,723
Intercompany payable	(253,324)	(265,761)
Total assets	1,471,223	1,244,962
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	81	81
Additional paid-in capital	32,157	19,708
Retained earnings	1,484,391	1,275,207
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(45,406)	(50,034)
Total VCA Inc. stockholders’ equity	$ 1,471,223	$ 1,244,962