Segment Reporting (Summary of Segment Performance) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 836,549	$ 777,707
Income from operations	248,344	247,622
Interest expense, net	(6,853)	(7,532)
Income before provision for income taxes	241,491	240,090
Provision for income taxes	47,526	35,801
Net income	193,965	204,289
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	32
Net income attributable to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. stockholders	193,965	204,257
CAG
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	761,184	692,767
Income from operations	223,125	213,210
Water
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	36,371	34,040
Income from operations	16,654	14,772
LPD
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	30,870	39,270
Income from operations	6,737	13,808
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	8,124	11,630
Income from operations	$ 1,828	$ 5,832