Segment Reporting (Summary of Segment Performance) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 3,367,324	$ 3,215,360	$ 2,706,655
Income from operations	898,765	932,028	694,524
Interest expense, net	(38,793)	(29,374)	(32,539)
Income before provision for income taxes	859,972	902,654	661,985
Provision for income taxes	180,883	157,810	79,854
Net income	679,089	744,844	582,131
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	(1)	355
Net income attributable to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. stockholders	679,089	744,845	581,776
Depreciation and amortization	111,900	104,596	95,998
CAG
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	3,058,793	2,889,960	2,385,765
Income from operations	800,949	824,022	574,887
Depreciation and amortization	101,254	94,202	84,697
Water
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	155,720	146,505	128,625
Income from operations	72,519	65,444	58,867
Depreciation and amortization	3,020	2,709	2,630
LPD
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	122,607	135,887	145,845
Income from operations	19,809	28,636	40,008
Depreciation and amortization	3,797	3,908	4,070
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	30,204	43,008	46,420
Income from operations	5,488	13,926	20,762
Depreciation and amortization	$ 3,829	$ 3,777	$ 4,601