Cat stole cook's stuffing on the way back (6)
I believe the answer is:
ocelot
'cat' is the definition.
(type of wild cat)
'stole cook's stuffing on the way back' is the wordplay.
'stuffing' indicates a hidden word.
'on the way back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'toleco' can be found hidden inside 'stole cooks'.
'toleco' in reverse letter order is 'OCELOT'.
(Other definitions for ocelot that I've seen before include "Striped and spotted wildcat" , "Send animal to Cole" , "Wild creature" , "Small leopardlike cat" , "Wildcat -- loo etc (anag)" .)