Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65885119&loc=d3e1392-128463

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Description of a specific restructuring plan and related activities including the facts and circumstances leading to the restructuring or decision to exit an activity, and the expected completion date. This concept and related items would be utilized for each plan if multiple exit plans have been implemented in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedActivitiesDescription
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=pdco_AnimalHealthInternationalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=pdco_HoltDentalSupplyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=pdco_CaplLimitedAndAbbeyVeterinaryServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=pdco_MercerMasteryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=pdco_NationalVeterinarySupplyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Acquisitions - Acquisitions Completed (Details)	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions - Acquisitions Completed (Details)	Apr. 30, 2016	Apr. 25, 2015	Apr. 26, 2014
Animal Health International [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of entity acquired	100.00%
Acquisition by segment	Animal Health
Holt Dental Supply [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of entity acquired		100.00%
Acquisition by segment		Dental
C.A.P.L Limited and Abbey Veterinary Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of entity acquired		100.00%
Acquisition by segment		Animal Health
Mercer Mastery [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of entity acquired			100.00%
Acquisition by segment			Dental
National Veterinary Services Limited [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of entity acquired			100.00%
Acquisition by segment			Animal Health