Calculation of Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc.	$ 34,037	$ 30,169	$ 103,602	$ 98,620
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	87,773,000	86,697,000	87,554,000	86,531,000
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options	461,000	445,000	523,000	593,000
Nonvested shares	420,000	111,000	512,000	169,000
Diluted	88,654,000	87,253,000	88,589,000	87,293,000
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.39	$ 0.35	$ 1.18	$ 1.14
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.38	$ 0.35	$ 1.17	$ 1.13
Calculation of Earnings per Share (Textuals) [Abstract]
Potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	1,220,547	2,104,547	1,100,645	1,139,567