Purpose: The metabolic syndrome represents a cluster of abnormalities, including obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and Type 2 diabetes, which increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to discuss advantages and disadvantages of different models of obesity and metabolic syndrome in rats. Methods: In this review we analyze the data about models of obesity and metabolic syndrome - MetS in rats. Results: According to the data there are dietary, genetic and pharmacological models. The main diet-induced models in rats are: high-fat diet - HFD, high-carbohydrate diet HCD, combined high-fat and high-carbohydrate diet - HFCD, and dietary regimens simulating dietary habits in people. Zucker rats, the obese spontaneously hypertensive rats - Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats – SHR, and selected rats of low aerobic capacity - Low-Capacity Runners – LCR, are used as genetic models to investigate MetS. Parenteral use of Streptozotocin in sub-diabetes doses also finds application in the experimental studies of MetS. Conclusion: Based on the analysis of these three groups of models we conclude that when required to monitor changes in metabolism at different stages of inducement of obesity and the MetS in rats, it is appropriate to use a combined high-fat and high-fructose diet.