To be a real cad, the beast needs the right start! (5)
I believe the answer is:
otter
'start' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'to be a real cad the beast needs the right' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'real' could be 'e' (e is a kind of real) and 'e' is located in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is found within the answer.
'right' could be 'r' (abbreviation) and 'r' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ot' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for otter that I've seen before include "Carnivorous aquatic mammal" , "Playful aquatic animal of 'Tarka' fame" , "Fish-eating member of weasel family" , "Torte (anag)" , "Fur possibly" .)