Objective To study a diabetic rat model induced by high-fat diet ( HFD) combined with streptozotocin (STZ), and to provide a stable diabetic animal model for clinical research. Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: normal control group (NG, n = 10) fed a normal diet; type 2 diabetes group (DM, n = 20) fed a HFD for 12 weeks + 25 mg STZ/ kg via tail vein injection. The body weight of rats was measured every week during the experiment. The oral glucose tolerance test, insulin tolerance test and the area change under the blood glucose curve were observed one week before STZ injection. After STZ injection, the general condition ( food intake, water consumption, hair luster, moisture and state of padding ), random blood glucose, fructosamine and pancreatic histopathological sections were examined. Results The body weight was significantly increased ( P < 0. 05) in the DM group compared with the NG group. The blood glucose was significantly higher in the oral glucose tolerance test group compared with that of the NG group ( P < 0. 05) at 60, 90 and 120 min, and the area under the curve was also significantly increased (P < 0. 05); blood glucose in the DM group was significantly higher than that of NG group (P < 0. 05), and the area under the curve was also significantly increased ( P < 0. 05). After STZ intervention, there were significant differences in food intake, diet and body weight between the two groups (P < 0. 05). Conclusions After 12 weeks of a HFD, insulin resistance and glucose tolerance were abnormal in rats. The model of type 2 diabetes induced by low-dose STZ provides a valuable animal model for the study of type 2 diabetes.