CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,162	$ 1,126	$ 3,453	$ 3,217
Cost of sales	946	929	2,807	2,625
Gross profit	216	197	646	592
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	220	224	662	642
Operating income (loss)	(4)	(27)	(16)	(50)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(8)	(10)	(26)	(37)
Other, net	(2)	5	(2)	79
Income (loss) before taxes	(14)	(32)	(44)	(8)
Income tax benefit (expense)	10	(3)	(7)	(6)
Net income (loss)	(4)	(35)	(51)	(14)
Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	0	0	0	(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to Covetrus	$ (4)	$ (35)	$ (51)	$ (15)
Earnings (loss) per share: (Note 5)
Basic (in usd per share)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.18)
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.37)	$ (0.18)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	137	116	138	113
Diluted (in shares)	137	116	138	113