Condensed, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	[1]	$ 52,453	$ 47,722
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		2,381	12,598
Other comprehensive income		2,381	12,598
Total comprehensive income		54,834	60,320
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	[1]	1,419	1,848
Comprehensive income attributable to VCA Inc.		$ 53,415	$ 58,472

[1] Includes approximately $0.8 million and $1 million of net income related to redeemable and mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.