Nature of Operations	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
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 9, 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 March 31, 2017, we operated or managed 810 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 March 31, 2017, we operated 61 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 March 31, 2017, there were 130 Camp Bow Wow franchise locations operating in 33 states and one Canadian province. 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. Accordingly, CAPNA's results of operations are included in our Animal Hospital segment for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. 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. Merger Agreement On January 7, 2017, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with MMI Holdings, Inc. (“Acquiror”), Venice Merger Sub Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror (“Merger Sub”), and, solely for purposes of Section 9.15 of the Merger Agreement, Mars, Incorporated (“Mars”), pursuant to which, among other things, at the closing of the merger, we will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquiror (the “Merger”). The Merger is subject to satisfaction of a number of customary closing conditions contained in the Merger Agreement, including the receipt of the outstanding required regulatory approvals and discussed in detail in the definitive proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by VCA on February 15, 2017 (the “Definitive Proxy Statement”). The Merger Agreement and the Merger are described in greater detail in the Definitive Proxy Statement and other materials and documents filed with the SEC, all of which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement attached as Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 9, 2017.

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 9, 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 March 31, 2017, we operated or managed 810 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 March 31, 2017, we operated 61 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 March 31, 2017, there were 130 Camp Bow Wow franchise locations operating in 33 states and one Canadian province.

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. Accordingly, CAPNA's results of operations are included in our Animal Hospital segment for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.

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.

Merger Agreement

On January 7, 2017, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with MMI Holdings, Inc. (“Acquiror”), Venice Merger Sub Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror (“Merger Sub”), and, solely for purposes of Section 9.15 of the Merger Agreement, Mars, Incorporated (“Mars”), pursuant to which, among other things, at the closing of the merger, we will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquiror (the “Merger”). The Merger is subject to satisfaction of a number of customary closing conditions contained in the Merger Agreement, including the receipt of the outstanding required regulatory approvals and discussed in detail in the definitive proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by VCA on February 15, 2017 (the “Definitive Proxy Statement”). The Merger Agreement and the Merger are described in greater detail in the Definitive Proxy Statement and other materials and documents filed with the SEC, all of which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement attached as Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 9, 2017.