Calculation of Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc.	$ 34,320	$ 39,612	$ 69,565	$ 68,451
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	87,589,000	86,535,000	87,443,000	86,445,000
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options	550,000	647,000	555,000	664,000
Nonvested shares	584,000	122,000	557,000	194,000
Diluted	88,723,000	87,304,000	88,555,000	87,303,000
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.39	$ 0.46	$ 0.80	$ 0.79
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.39	$ 0.45	$ 0.79	$ 0.78
Calculation of Earnings per Share (Textuals) [Abstract]
Potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	1,047,701	1,139,567	1,050,520	40,067