Hypothyroidism is a common condition resulting from a deficiency in the thyroid hormone. While it can typically be effectively corrected with hormone replacement therapy, it may become fatal if left untreated. The thyroid hormone plays a crucial role in human growth, development, and functions of multiple organs. Clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism vary according to factors such as age and sex. Experimental animal models of hypothyroidism are widely used in preclinical studies of the pathophysiological mechanisms of hypothyroidism, as well as in the evaluation of treatment and prevention effects. Currently, effective models of hypothyroidism include surgical, dietary, pharmacological, genetic, radiological, and immunological methods. Each model has its own advantages and disadvantages based on different principles and can be selected according to the experimental purpose. In this article, we review recent studies on the animal models of hypothyroidism, discussing the modeling methods, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each model, with the aim of selecting the optimal model for experiments.