Segment Data - Operating Results by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 1,065	$ 941
Adjusted EBITDA		48	52
Total assets		3,487	4,269	$ 3,361
Net loss attributable to Covetrus	[1]	(33)	(13)
Plus: Depreciation and amortization		40	30
Plus: Interest expense, net		14	10
Less: Income tax benefit		(2)	(4)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization		19	23
Plus: Share-based compensation		9	15
Plus: Strategic consulting		4
Plus: Transaction costs		7
Plus: Separation programs and executive severance		1
Plus: IT infrastructure		1
Plus: Formation of Covetrus		6	9
Plus: Capital structure		1	5
Adjusted EBITDA		48	52
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		0	0
Adjusted EBITDA		(18)	(4)
Total assets		787	742
Adjusted EBITDA		(18)	(4)
Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		(2)	(3)
Adjusted EBITDA		0	0
Total assets		(1,216)	(834)
Adjusted EBITDA		0	0
North America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		550	497
North America | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		550	497
Adjusted EBITDA		41	35
Total assets		3,063	3,364
Adjusted EBITDA		41	35
Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		422	361
Europe | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		422	361
Adjusted EBITDA		18	16
Total assets		725	803
Adjusted EBITDA		18	16
APAC & Emerging Markets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		95	86
APAC & Emerging Markets | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		95	86
Adjusted EBITDA		7	5
Total assets		128	194
Adjusted EBITDA		$ 7	$ 5

[1] (a) Net income earned from January 1, 2019 through February 7, 2019 is attributed to the Former Parent as it was the sole shareholder prior to February 7, 2019