Revenue Recognition (Disaggregation of Revenue by Major Product and Service Categories) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2022
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 943,630	$ 860,546	$ 1,843,825	$ 1,697,095
CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	866,652	784,087	1,693,931	1,545,271
Water segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	43,029	39,195	81,912	75,566
LPD segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	29,911	29,889	59,119	60,759
Other segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	4,038	7,375	8,863	15,499
CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue: | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	762,476	685,413	1,489,378	1,350,223
IDEXX VetLab consumables | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	303,735	266,079	594,849	533,252
Rapid assay products | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	97,340	87,481	179,372	162,000
Reference laboratory diagnostic and consulting services | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	330,106	304,130	653,286	599,205
CAG Diagnostics services and accessories | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	31,295	27,723	61,871	55,766
CAG Diagnostics capital - instruments | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	34,054	36,227	67,198	73,224
Veterinary software, services and diagnostic imaging systems | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 70,122	$ 62,447	$ 137,355	$ 121,824