Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive disease with a short survival time after diagnosis. Current treatments using western medicines have shown poor efficacy and lung transplantation is costly, highlighting the need to find new, safe, and effective treatments. Animal experiments are important for investigating the mechanisms of drug action, and suitable animal models of IPF are required for experimental research. Bleomycin is commonly used to induce IPF models. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the advantages of multiple therapeutic targets and few adverse reactions, and is gradually gaining attention for the treatment of IPF. Ongoing experimental research is being carried out to verify the specific targets and mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of IPF, utilizing animal models of IPF. This review considers the selection of animal models of IPF, the method used to induce, establish, and evaluate the models, and the interventional effects of TCM. We also summarize the best modeling method for animal models of IPF and the current status of TCM treatments to provide a basis for further scientific research and the clinical treatment of IPF.