<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.6.0.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>449</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>569</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>152</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>20</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003001 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (PARENTHETICAL)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (PARENTHETICAL)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004001 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (PARENTHETICAL)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfEquityParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (PARENTHETICAL)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Business Description</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BusinessDescription</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Description</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Acquisition, Divestitures and Certain Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/AcquisitionDivestituresAndCertainInvestments</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition, Divestitures and Certain Investments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Restructuring Charges and Other Costs Associated with Acquisitions and Cost-Reduction/Productivity Initiatives</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/RestructuringChargesAndOtherCostsAssociatedWithAcquisitionsAndCostReductionProductivityInitiatives</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring Charges and Other Costs Associated with Acquisitions and Cost-Reduction/Productivity Initiatives</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Other (Income)/Deductions - Net</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/OtherIncomeDeductionsNet</Role>
      <ShortName>Other (Income)/Deductions - Net</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Foreign Currency Loss Related to Venezuela Revaluation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ForeignCurrencyLossRelatedToVenezuelaRevaluation</Role>
      <ShortName>Foreign Currency Loss Related to Venezuela Revaluation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Tax Matters</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/TaxMatters</Role>
      <ShortName>Tax Matters</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Inventories</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/Inventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Benefit Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BenefitPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Benefit Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Share-Based Payments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPayments</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Payments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/StockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndOtherRevenueInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Disclosure - Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ScheduleIiValuationAndQualifyingAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2203201 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Acquisition, Divestitures and Certain Investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/AcquisitionDivestituresAndCertainInvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition, Divestitures and Certain Investments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/AcquisitionDivestituresAndCertainInvestments</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Restructuring Charges and Other Costs Associated with Acquisitions and Cost-Reduction/Productivity Initiatives (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/RestructuringChargesAndOtherCostsAssociatedWithAcquisitionsAndCostReductionProductivityInitiativesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring Charges and Other Costs Associated with Acquisitions and Cost-Reduction/Productivity Initiatives (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/RestructuringChargesAndOtherCostsAssociatedWithAcquisitionsAndCostReductionProductivityInitiatives</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Other (Income)/Deductions - Net Other (Income)/Deductions - Net (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/OtherIncomeDeductionsNetOtherIncomedeductionsNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other (Income)/Deductions - Net Other (Income)/Deductions - Net (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/OtherIncomeDeductionsNet</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Tax Matters (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/TaxMattersTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Tax Matters (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/TaxMatters</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/InventoriesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/Inventories</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Benefit Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BenefitPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Benefit Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BenefitPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Share-Based Payments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Payments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPayments</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/StockholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2318301 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndOtherRevenueInformationSegmentGeographicAndOtherRevenueInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401401 - Disclosure - Business Description (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BusinessDescriptionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Description (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BusinessDescription</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Acquisition, Divestitures and Certain Investments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/AcquisitionDivestituresAndCertainInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisition, Divestitures and Certain Investments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/AcquisitionDivestituresAndCertainInvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Restructuring Charges and Other Costs Associated with Acquisitions and Cost-Reduction/Productivity Initiatives - Components of Costs Incurred (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/RestructuringChargesAndOtherCostsAssociatedWithAcquisitionsAndCostReductionProductivityInitiativesComponentsOfCostsIncurredDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring Charges and Other Costs Associated with Acquisitions and Cost-Reduction/Productivity Initiatives - Components of Costs Incurred (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Restructuring Charges and Other Costs Associated with Acquisitions and Cost-Reduction/Productivity Initiatives - Restructuring Benefits and Charges (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/RestructuringChargesAndOtherCostsAssociatedWithAcquisitionsAndCostReductionProductivityInitiativesRestructuringBenefitsAndChargesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Restructuring Charges and Other Costs Associated with Acquisitions and Cost-Reduction/Productivity Initiatives - Restructuring Benefits and Charges (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Other (Income)/Deductions - Net Other (Income)/Deductions - Net (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/OtherIncomeDeductionsNetOtherIncomedeductionsNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other (Income)/Deductions - Net Other (Income)/Deductions - Net (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/OtherIncomeDeductionsNetOtherIncomedeductionsNetTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407401 - Disclosure - Foreign currency Loss Related to Venezuela Revaluation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ForeignCurrencyLossRelatedToVenezuelaRevaluationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Foreign currency Loss Related to Venezuela Revaluation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Tax Matters (Taxes on Income) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/TaxMattersTaxesOnIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Tax Matters (Taxes on Income) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/TaxMattersTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Tax Matters (Deferred Taxes) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/TaxMattersDeferredTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Tax Matters (Deferred Taxes) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/TaxMattersTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - Tax Matters (Tax Contingencies) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/TaxMattersTaxContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Tax Matters (Tax Contingencies) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/TaxMattersTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Credit Facility) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsCreditFacilityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Credit Facility) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Commercial Paper) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsCommercialPaperDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Commercial Paper) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409404 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Short-Term Borrowings) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsShortTermBorrowingsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Short-Term Borrowings) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409405 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Senior Notes Offering) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsSeniorNotesOfferingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Senior Notes Offering) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409406 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Schedule of Long-term Debt) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsScheduleOfLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Schedule of Long-term Debt) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409407 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Fair Value of Debt) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsFairValueOfDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Fair Value of Debt) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409408 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Long-term Debt Maturity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsLongTermDebtMaturityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Long-term Debt Maturity) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409409 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Interest Expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsInterestExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Interest Expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409410 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Foreign Exchange Risk) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsForeignExchangeRiskDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Foreign Exchange Risk) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409411 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Interest Rate Risk) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsInterestRateRiskDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Interest Rate Risk) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409412 - Disclosure - Financial Instruments (Fair Value of Derivative Instruments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsFairValueOfDerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Financial Instruments (Fair Value of Derivative Instruments) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/FinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Inventories (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/InventoriesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventories (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/InventoriesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Goodwill) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Goodwill) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412404 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsFiniteLivedAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Finite-lived and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Benefit Plans (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BenefitPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Benefit Plans (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Benefit Plans Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets, and Funded Status of Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BenefitPlansChangesInProjectedBenefitObligationsFairValueOfPlanAssetsAndFundedStatusOfPlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Benefit Plans Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets, and Funded Status of Plan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413404 - Disclosure - Benefit Plans Schedule of Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BenefitPlansScheduleOfBenefitObligationsInExcessOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Benefit Plans Schedule of Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413405 - Disclosure - Benefit Plans Schedule of Assumptions Used (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BenefitPlansScheduleOfAssumptionsUsedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Benefit Plans Schedule of Assumptions Used (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413406 - Disclosure - Benefit Plans Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BenefitPlansScheduleOfAllocationOfPlanAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Benefit Plans Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413407 - Disclosure - Benefit Plans Schedule Of Percentage Of Allocation Of Plan Assets Table (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/BenefitPlansScheduleOfPercentageOfAllocationOfPlanAssetsTableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Benefit Plans Schedule Of Percentage Of Allocation Of Plan Assets Table (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Share-Based Payments (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Payments (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414403 - Disclosure - Share-Based Payments (Components of share-based compensation expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsComponentsOfShareBasedCompensationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Payments (Components of share-based compensation expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414404 - Disclosure - Share-Based Payments (Stock option valuation assumptions) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsStockOptionValuationAssumptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Payments (Stock option valuation assumptions) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414405 - Disclosure - Share-Based Payments (Stock option activity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsStockOptionActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Payments (Stock option activity) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414406 - Disclosure - Share-Based Payments (Nonvested restricted stock activity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsNonvestedRestrictedStockActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Payments (Nonvested restricted stock activity) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414407 - Disclosure - Share-Based Payments (Performance Share Awards (PSAs) Activity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsPerformanceShareAwardsPsasActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Share-Based Payments (Performance Share Awards (PSAs) Activity) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ShareBasedPaymentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Changes in Common Shares and Treasury Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/StockholdersEquityChangesInCommonSharesAndTreasuryStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Changes in Common Shares and Treasury Stock (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415403 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Accumulated other comprehensive income/ (loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/StockholdersEquityAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Accumulated other comprehensive income/ (loss) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417403 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Purchase Commitments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesPurchaseCommitmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Purchase Commitments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417404 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Commitments under Operating Leases (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesCommitmentsUnderOperatingLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Commitments under Operating Leases (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418402 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Segment Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndOtherRevenueInformationSegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Segment Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418403 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Income Statement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndOtherRevenueInformationIncomeStatementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Income Statement (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418404 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Income Statement Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndOtherRevenueInformationIncomeStatementNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Income Statement Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418405 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Segment Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndOtherRevenueInformationSegmentAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Segment Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>92</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418406 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Revenue by Animal Species (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndOtherRevenueInformationRevenueByAnimalSpeciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Revenue by Animal Species (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>93</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418407 - Disclosure - Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Revenue by Product (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SegmentGeographicAndOtherRevenueInformationRevenueByProductDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment, Geographic and Other Revenue Information - Revenue by Product (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>94</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/SelectedQuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>95</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="zts-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420401 - Disclosure - Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ScheduleIiValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.zoetis.com/role/ScheduleIiValuationAndQualifyingAccounts</ParentRole>
      <Position>96</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>zts-20161231.xml</File>
    <File>zts-20161231.xsd</File>
    <File>zts-20161231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>zts-20161231_def.xml</File>
    <File>zts-20161231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>zts-20161231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
