CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2022	Jan. 23, 2021	Jan. 29, 2022	Jan. 23, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,596,596	$ 1,551,268	$ 4,860,633	$ 4,350,273
Cost of sales	1,259,985	1,226,727	3,919,785	3,451,548
Gross profit	336,611	324,541	940,848	898,725
Operating expenses	275,778	262,860	856,684	725,466
Operating income	60,833	61,681	84,164	173,259
Gains on investments	13,092	0	100,919	0
Other income (expense):
Other income, net	6,186	4,323	14,413	9,580
Interest expense	(4,879)	(5,532)	(15,595)	(18,604)
Income before taxes	75,232	60,472	183,901	164,235
Income tax expense	18,657	11,905	45,586	37,640
Net income	56,575	48,567	138,315	126,595
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(431)	(192)	(1,017)	(631)
Net income attributable to Patterson Companies, Inc.	$ 57,006	$ 48,759	$ 139,332	$ 127,226
Earnings per share attributable to Patterson Companies, Inc.:
Basic (in USD per share)	$ 0.58	$ 0.51	$ 1.43	$ 1.33
Diluted (in USD per share)	$ 0.58	$ 0.50	$ 1.42	$ 1.32
Weighted average shares:
Basic (in shares)	97,471	95,734	97,213	95,472
Diluted (in shares)	98,554	96,953	98,450	96,379
Dividends declared per common share (in USD per share)	$ 0.26	$ 0.26	$ 0.78	$ 0.78
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	$ 56,575	$ 48,567	$ 138,315	$ 126,595
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain	(6,506)	11,790	(5,742)	27,706
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	261	261	782	782
Comprehensive income	$ 50,330	$ 60,618	$ 133,355	$ 155,083