Segment Data - Operating Results by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 1,026	$ 1,009	$ 2,091	$ 1,950
Adjusted EBITDA		63	53	111	105
Total assets		3,526	4,190	3,526	4,190	$ 3,361
Net income (loss) attributable to Covetrus	[1]	54	(10)	20	(23)
Plus: Depreciation and amortization		41	41	82	71
Plus: Interest expense, net		13	14	27	25
Plus: Income tax expense		6	5	4	1
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization		114	50	133	74
Plus: Share-based compensation		10	10	19	25
Plus: Strategic consulting		5		9
Plus: Transaction costs				6
Plus: Separation programs and executive severance		1		2
Plus: IT infrastructure			2	2	2
Plus: Formation of Covetrus		7	6	14	14
Plus: Capital structure		1		1	5
Other Operating Income (Expense), Net		(75)	(15)	(75)	(15)
Adjusted EBITDA		63	53	111	105
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		0	0	0	0
Adjusted EBITDA		(13)	(13)	(31)	(16)
Total assets		1,145	872	1,145	872
Adjusted EBITDA		(13)	(13)	(31)	(16)
Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		(3)	(3)	(5)	(6)
Adjusted EBITDA		0	0	0	0
Total assets		(1,452)	(935)	(1,452)	(935)
Adjusted EBITDA		0	0	0	0
North America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		602	552	1,152	1,049
North America | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		602	552	1,152	1,049
Adjusted EBITDA		55	43	96	78
Total assets		3,066	3,265	3,066	3,265
Adjusted EBITDA		55	43	96	78
Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		342	370	764	731
Europe | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		342	370	764	731
Adjusted EBITDA		16	19	34	35
Total assets		635	797	635	797
Adjusted EBITDA		16	19	34	35
APAC & Emerging Markets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		85	90	180	176
APAC & Emerging Markets | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales		85	90	180	176
Adjusted EBITDA		5	4	12	8
Total assets		132	191	132	191
Adjusted EBITDA		$ 5	$ 4	$ 12	$ 8

[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.