CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 27, 2024	Jan. 28, 2023	Jan. 27, 2024	Jan. 28, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,616,095	$ 1,600,850	$ 4,845,612	$ 4,750,319
Cost of sales	1,265,089	1,257,888	3,836,525	3,767,135
Gross profit	351,006	342,962	1,009,087	983,184
Operating expenses	280,994	267,040	843,950	812,323
Operating income	70,012	75,922	165,137	170,861
Other income (expense):
Other income, net	3,653	3,096	22,650	23,079
Interest expense	(11,725)	(9,731)	(31,879)	(22,838)
Income before taxes	61,940	69,287	155,908	171,102
Income tax expense	14,347	15,440	37,330	39,346
Net income	47,593	53,847	118,578	131,756
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(110)	(82)	(317)	(836)
Net income attributable to Patterson Companies, Inc.	$ 47,703	$ 53,929	$ 118,895	$ 132,592
Earnings per share attributable to Patterson Companies, Inc.:
Basic (in USD per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.55	$ 1.26	$ 1.37
Diluted (in USD per share)	$ 0.52	$ 0.55	$ 1.26	$ 1.35
Weighted average shares:
Basic (in shares)	92,009	97,327	94,088	96,957
Diluted (in shares)	92,519	97,977	94,704	97,881
Dividends declared per common share (in USD per share)	$ 0.26	$ 0.26	$ 0.78	$ 0.78
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	$ 47,593	$ 53,847	$ 118,578	$ 131,756
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	12,538	14,197	2,317	(8,385)
Cash flow hedges, net of tax	261	261	782	782
Comprehensive income	$ 60,392	$ 68,305	$ 121,677	$ 124,153