Calculation of Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc.	$ 41,662	$ 34,320	$ 72,147	$ 69,565
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	88,509,000	87,589,000	88,455,000	87,443,000
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options	321,000	550,000	298,000	555,000
Nonvested shares	823,000	584,000	778,000	557,000
Diluted	89,653,000	88,723,000	89,531,000	88,555,000
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.47	$ 0.39	$ 0.82	$ 0.80
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.46	$ 0.39	$ 0.81	$ 0.79
Calculation of Earnings per Share (Textuals) [Abstract]
Potential common shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	12,909	1,047,701	26,987	1,050,520