Objective The serum metabolic characteristics of a tree shrew model of H1N1 influenza virus infection were studied by UPLC-Q/ TOF-MS. Methods The H1N1 virus nasal drip method was used to prepare the tree shrew model. Then, the viral load and antibody hemostatic titer were measured. Pathological examination of the lung tissue was performed, and tree shrew serum samples were collected for untargeted metabolomics research. Results From day 3 to 7 of model preparation, the body temperature and viral load in the infected tree shrews peaked. Multivariate statistical analysisfound 24 differential ions in the serum of tree shrews infected with the H1N1 virus, which led to metabolic disorders such as phosphatidylcholine metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism. Conclusions This study defined for the first time the metabolic characteristics of H1N1 virus-infected tree shrews, and provided evidence that the disordered metabolism in this animal model was related to inflammation.