Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive and fatal lung disease of which the origin and development mechanisms remain unknown. The few available pharmacological treatments can only slow the progression of the disease. The development of curative treatments is hampered by the absence of experimental models that can mimic the specific pathophysiological mechanisms of IPF. The aim of this mini-review is to provide an overview of the most commonly used experimental animal models in the study of IPF and to underline the urgent need to seek out new, more satisfactory models.