Human respiratory syncytial virus ( hRSV) is a major cause of respiratory disease and infant hospitalization worldwide. At present, there is no effective hRSV vaccine or therapeutic drug. A candidate vaccine for the hRSV susceptible population is currently being developed, and an animal model of hRSV would therefore play an important role in the preclinical trials of a hRSV candidate vaccine. Although many models have shown effectiveness in preclinical studies, few have entered clinical trials and their success rate has been low. Animal models to date have been unable to fully reproduce the pathogenesis of hRSV infection. Here, we analyze the advantages and limitations of hRSV animal models, including the use of hRSV to infect non-human mammalian hosts and the development of non-human pulmonary virus animal models. The aim of this review is to provide a rational strategy for the construction of an effective animal model of hRSV infection.