CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 27, 2018	Oct. 28, 2017	Oct. 27, 2018	Oct. 28, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,404,752	$ 1,385,737	$ 2,741,072	$ 2,689,852
Cost of sales	1,109,676	1,069,994	2,162,333	2,075,061
Gross profit	295,076	315,743	578,739	614,791
Operating expenses	253,860	243,984	533,009	486,199
Operating income	41,216	71,759	45,730	128,592
Other income (expense):
Other income, net	5,941	1,160	7,194	2,672
Interest expense	(9,456)	(11,468)	(20,677)	(22,671)
Income before taxes	37,701	61,451	32,247	108,593
Income tax expense	9,055	21,207	8,110	37,502
Net income	28,646	40,244	24,137	71,091
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(223)	0	(276)	0
Net income attributable to Patterson Companies, Inc.	$ 28,869	$ 40,244	$ 24,413	$ 71,091
Earnings per share attributable to Patterson Companies, Inc.:
Basic (in USD per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.43	$ 0.26	$ 0.76
Diluted (in USD per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.43	$ 0.26	$ 0.76
Weighted average shares:
Basic (in shares)	92,683	92,722	92,606	93,037
Diluted (in shares)	93,289	93,351	93,144	93,683
Dividends declared per common share (in USD per share)	$ 0.26000	$ 0.26000	$ 0.52	$ 0.52
Comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	$ (3,540)	$ (3,965)	$ (12,860)	$ 8,119
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	552	438	1,101	875
Comprehensive income	$ 25,658	$ 36,717	$ 12,378	$ 80,085