Objective To study the feasibility of rat models of renal edema based on disease combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome yin-deficiency and yang-deficiency types. Methods Gastric gavage of thyroxine and tail vein injection of Adriamycin were performed to induce a rat model of kidney Yin deficiency edema, and intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone and tail vein injection of Adriamycin were used to establish a rat model of kidney Yang deficiency edema. The 24 h urine protein content, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) and other indicators were assayed to determine whether the rat models were successfully established. Result The rats of Yin deficiency edema group had clinical presentation such as hyperactivity, hair loss, dry stool, weight loss and temperature rise. Compared with the blank group, T3, T4, cAMP, E2, and 24 h urinary protein levels were significantly increased, cGMP and T content decreased, and cAMP/cGMP ratio was significantly increased, showing significant differences (P<0.05 for all). The Yang deficiency edema animals displayed reduced activity, diarrhea, decreased body weight and body temperature, and other signs of disease. Compared with the blank group, T3, T4, cAMP, and E2 contents were significantly decreased, cGMP, T, and 24 h urinary protein levels were significantly increased, and cAMP/cGMP ratio decreased, showing significant differences (P<0.05 for all). Conclusions The rat model of renal edema disease combined with TCM syndrome yin-deficiency was successfully induced by thyroxine in combination with Adriamycin, and the rat model of renal edema based on disease combined with TCM syndrome yang-deficiency is successfully established by administration of hydrocortisone plus Adriamycin. These two rat models demonstrate similar clinical manifestations of human renal edema based on disease combined with TCM syndrome yin-deficiency and yang-deficiency, respectively, therefore, may serve as useful tools for further research on this disease.