Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), of which pathogenesis remains unclear, has many clinical risk factors. A large number of preclinical animal models had been established to investigate the occurrence and development of POCD. Since a wide range of methods of anesthetic drug exposure and surgical types were involved in POCD animal models, further exploring and optimizing POCD animal model are needed for better connecting POCD clinical research with preclinical animal studies. Thus, this review summarizes research progresses on the animal models used in POCD preclinical research in recent years for providing a reference for related POCD preclinical animal research in the future.