Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock Par Net Value [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Beginning Balance at Oct. 31, 2010	$ 1,666,776	$ 4,583	$ (4,805)	$ 31	$ 1,083,779	$ (17,334)	$ 600,522	$ 0
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2010		45,827,000	313,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Cooper stockholders	175,430						175,430
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(776)					(776)
Issuance of common stock for stock plans (in shares)		2,019,000	(144,000)
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	82,035	202	2,215	(14)	79,632
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	2,963				2,963
Dividends on common stock	(2,816)						(2,816)
Share-based compensation expense	13,876				13,876
Ending Balance at Oct. 31, 2011	1,937,488	4,785	(2,590)	17	1,180,250	(18,110)	773,136
Ending Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2011		47,846,000	169,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Cooper stockholders	248,339						248,339
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(13,151)					(13,151)
Issuance of common stock for stock plans (in shares)		1,578,000	(146,000)
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	55,053	157	8,987	(14)	45,923
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	17,566				17,566
Treasury stock repurchase (in shares)	(984,027)	(984,000)	984,000
Treasury stock repurchase	(71,150)	(98)	(71,150)	98
Dividends on common stock	(2,857)						(2,857)
Share-based compensation expense	21,540				21,540
Noncontrolling interests	20,330				(77)			20,407
Ending Balance at Oct. 31, 2012	2,213,158	4,844	(64,753)	101	1,265,202	(31,261)	1,018,618	20,407
Ending Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2012		48,440,000	1,007,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income attributable to Cooper stockholders	296,151						296,151
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	15,499					15,499
Issuance of common stock for stock plans (in shares)		976,000	(88,000)
Issuance of common stock for stock plans	19,287	98	6,170	(9)	13,028
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options	21,799				21,799
Treasury stock repurchase (in shares)	(1,420,728)	(1,421,000)	1,421,000
Treasury stock repurchase	(167,334)	(142)	(167,334)	142
Dividends on common stock	(2,918)						(2,918)
Share-based compensation expense	28,538				28,538
Purchase of shares from noncontrolling interests	(300)				762			(1,062)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1,141)							(1,141)
Noncontrolling interests	755							755
Ending Balance at Oct. 31, 2013	$ 2,423,494	$ 4,800	$ (225,917)	$ 234	$ 1,329,329	$ (15,762)	$ 1,311,851	$ 18,959
Ending Balance (in shares) at Oct. 31, 2013		47,995,000	2,340,000