Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) has a high morbidity and mortality, and seriously threatens human health. However, the pathogenesis of the SIMD is still unclear. The previous studies have showed that the SIMD can adversely affect cardiac function through a variety of direct or indirect mechanism, such as autonomic nervous system function damage, pro-inflammatory mediators and activated immune cells induced cardiomyopathy. There is no uniform diagnostic criteria and treatment options. A stable and reliable animal model plays important role in the study that determine the pathogenesis, pathophysiological processes and treatment of SIMD. At present, there are many animal models of cardiac dysfunction caused by sepsis, unfortunately there is no stable, reliable and specific animal model at present. Therefore, it is important to construct a stable and reliable model for studying SIMD. The unified standard of cardiac dysfunction is conducive to the integration and further research. This review focused on pathogenesis of SIMD, routine ways of animal model of SIMD, observation index and basic research to provide references for the researcher to choose the proper animal model.