The leakage of colonic anastomoses is a potentially devastating surgical complication. Several factors, such as bowel preparation prior to surgery, surgical technique, nutritional status, and intervening pathological conditions, have been identified as significantly influencing the healing of colonic anastomoses. Due to the multifactorial nature, it is difficult to investigate the mechanisms of occurrence and prevention of colonic dehiscence in the clinical setting. For this reason, many experimental models have been used to study colonic healing and the pathogenesis of anastomotic failure. This report reviews the use of animal models for the study of colonic anastomotic healing. Special emphasis is devoted to the rationale for selecting animal models, parameters of healing, factors influencing anastomotic healing as well as the clinical potential of dietary and pharmacologic manipulations proposed to improve colonic healing.