CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 1,126	$ 1,018	$ 3,217	$ 2,968
Cost of sales		929	827	2,625	2,407
Gross profit		197	191	592	561
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative		224	210	642	594
Goodwill impairment		0	939	0	939
Operating loss		(27)	(958)	(50)	(972)
Other income (expense):
Interest income		0	1	1	4
Interest expense		(10)	(16)	(38)	(42)
Other, net		5	4	79	18
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates		(32)	(969)	(8)	(992)
Income tax benefit (expense)		(3)	7	(6)	7
Net income (loss)		(35)	(962)	(14)	(985)
Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		0	3	(1)	3
Net income (loss) attributable to Covetrus	[1]	$ (35)	$ (959)	$ (15)	$ (982)
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Covetrus:
Basic (in usd per share)		$ (0.33)	$ (8.56)	$ (0.18)	$ (9.26)
Diluted (in usd per share)		$ (0.33)	$ (8.56)	$ (0.18)	$ (9.26)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)		116	112	113	106
Diluted (in shares)		116	112	113	106

[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.