Segment Information - Income Statement Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		$ 1,674	$ 1,584	$ 1,547	$ 1,455	$ 1,564	$ 1,480	$ 1,415	$ 1,366	$ 6,260	$ 5,825		$ 5,307
Net gain on sale of assets										20	40	[1]	(11)	[1]
Employee termination costs/(reversals)										33	26		13
Employee Severance
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Employee termination costs/(reversals)	[2],[3]									33	25		10
CHINA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues										200	211		174
Net Gain on Relocation											18
Europe | Employee Severance
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Severance Costs											7		4
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stand-up costs													3
Litigation Settlement, Expense													5
Charges to operating model													3
Segment Reconciling Items | Zoetis Initiatives
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and Other Cost Productivity Charges										7	9		20
Agribusiness Products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net gain on sale of assets	[4]	$ 42									42
International Segment | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	[5]									2,972	2,890		2,643
International Segment | Euro Member Countries, Euro | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues										$ 742	$ 745		$ 660

[1] For 2018, represents a gain on the divestiture of certain agribusiness products within our International segment, and a net loss related to sales of certain manufacturing sites and products as part of our supply network strategy initiative. For 2017, primarily represents a net loss related to sales of certain manufacturing sites and products, including our manufacturing site in Guarulhos, Brazil, as part of our operational efficiency initiative and supply network strategy.

[2] The restructuring charges are associated with the following: • For the year ended December 31, 2019, International of $2 million and Manufacturing/research/corporate of $31 million. • For the year ended December 31, 2018, International of $7 million, and Manufacturing/research/corporate of a $19 million. • For the year ended December 31, 2017 International of $2 million, and Manufacturing/research/corporate of a $11 million.

[3] The restructuring charges for the year ended December 31, 2019, are primarily related to the acquisition of Abaxis and CEO transition-related costs. The restructuring charges for the year ended December 31, 2018, are primarily related to: • employee termination costs of $7 million in Europe as a result of initiatives to better align our organizational structure; • employee termination costs of $21 million related to the acquisition of Abaxis; and • a net reversal of employee termination costs of $3 million, and exit costs of $1 million as a result of our operational efficiency initiative and supply network strategy initiative launched in 2015. The restructuring charges for the year ended December 31, 2017, are primarily related to: • a net increase in employee termination costs of $2 million related to the operational efficiency initiative and supply network strategy initiative launched in 2015; • employee termination costs of $4 million related to the acquisition of an Irish biologic therapeutics company in the third quarter of 2017, and • employee termination costs of $4 million in Europe, as a result of initiatives to better align our organizational structure.     

[4] Includes adjustments for foreign currency translation. For 2018, also includes $2 million related to the divestiture of certain agribusiness products within our International segment.     

[5] Revenue denominated in euros was $742 million in 2019, $745 million in 2018, and $660 million in 2017.