Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) is a disease caused by cervical facet joint disorder or cervical disc degeneration, which compresses nerve roots. CSR is characterized by radiating pain or numbness in the cervical shoulder and upper limbs innervated by nerve roots and severely affects patients’ quality of life. To further study the etiology, pathogenesis, developmental process, prevention, and drug treatment of the disease, the correct selection and establishment of animal models in line with the clinical characteristics of the disease are crucial. In the writing of this paper, relevant literature reports from China and abroad were consulted. The preparation of CSR animal models is summarized to include simple compression models (vascular forceps clamping method, wire ligation method, L-shaped steel column compression method, silica gel compression method, autologous bone compression method, and nylon fishing line compression method), combined stimulation models (clamping method and chrome intestinal wire compression method, formalin quantitative filter paper stimulation method, and drug-mediated and kinetic imbalance method), and a nonsurgical intervention model (low head flexion fixation method). The preparation of CSR animal models is summarized, and their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages are analyzed to provide an important reference for those selecting appropriate animal models for preclinical research.