CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 23, 2021	Jan. 25, 2020	Jan. 23, 2021	Jan. 25, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,551,268	$ 1,456,155	$ 4,350,273	$ 4,203,550
Cost of sales	1,226,727	1,144,325	3,451,548	3,300,172
Gross profit	324,541	311,830	898,725	903,378
Operating expenses	262,860	268,014	725,466	861,034
Operating income	61,681	43,816	173,259	42,344
Other income (expense):
Other income, net	4,323	2,307	9,580	34,493
Interest expense	(5,532)	(16,584)	(18,604)	(34,320)
Income before taxes	60,472	29,539	164,235	42,517
Income tax expense	11,905	6,567	37,640	23,087
Net income	48,567	22,972	126,595	19,430
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(192)	(255)	(631)	(710)
Net income attributable to Patterson Companies, Inc.	$ 48,759	$ 23,227	$ 127,226	$ 20,140
Earnings per share attributable to Patterson Companies, Inc.:
Basic (in USD per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.25	$ 1.33	$ 0.21
Diluted (in USD per share)	$ 0.50	$ 0.24	$ 1.32	$ 0.21
Weighted average shares:
Basic (in shares)	95,734	94,267	95,472	94,052
Diluted (in shares)	96,953	95,021	96,379	94,828
Dividends declared per common share (in USD per share)	$ 0.26	$ 0.26	$ 0.78	$ 0.78
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	$ 48,567	$ 22,972	$ 126,595	$ 19,430
Foreign currency translation gain	11,790	2,619	27,706	5,434
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	261	6,627	782	7,735
Comprehensive income	$ 60,618	$ 32,218	$ 155,083	$ 32,599