With the changes in living conditions of modern society, patients with mental disorders represented by depression and anxiety are increasing yearly. However, the low cure rate of existing treatment measures needs to be improved. Clarifying the pathological mechanisms of these diseases is of great significance for their prevention and treatment. Such models include induced and genetic models. Genetic models have the advantages of a stable phenotype, clear pathological processes and a long treatment window. This article summarizes the genetic models of common mental disorders in rats and mice, briefly introduces the behavioral phenotypic characteristics and provides references for experimental psychiatric research based on animal behavior.