Segment and Geographic Data - Net Sales Information by Geographic Area and Product (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2023	Apr. 30, 2022	Apr. 24, 2021
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 6,471,471	$ 6,499,405	$ 5,912,066
Consumable
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	5,147,330	5,248,040	4,748,416
Equipment
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	950,403	920,424	822,063
Value Added Services and Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	373,738	330,941	341,587
Dental
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	2,492,142	2,516,132	2,327,021
Dental | Consumable
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	1,358,823	1,424,677	1,314,236
Dental | Equipment
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	823,978	800,144	730,928
Dental | Value Added Services and Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	309,341	291,311	281,857
Animal Health
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	3,964,922	3,982,874	3,559,994
Animal Health | Consumable
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	3,788,507	3,823,363	3,434,180
Animal Health | Equipment
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	126,425	120,280	91,135
Animal Health | Value Added Services and Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	49,990	39,231	34,679
Corporate
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	14,407	399	25,051
Corporate | Value Added Services and Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	14,407	399	25,051
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	5,423,931	5,358,489	4,877,070
United States | Dental
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	2,256,006	2,259,579	2,107,521
United States | Animal Health
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	3,153,518	3,098,511	2,744,498
United Kingdom
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	655,103	717,481	677,910
United Kingdom | Animal Health
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	655,103	717,481	677,910
Canada
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	392,437	423,435	357,086
Canada | Dental
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	236,136	256,553	219,500
Canada | Animal Health
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 156,301	$ 166,882	$ 137,586